> At a Glance
> – MLB free agency moves slowly compared to NBA/NFL, with deals stretching into February
> – 13 players received qualifying offers, 4 accepted including Gleyber Torres and Shota Imanaga
> – Pete Alonso, Dylan Cease, and Edwin Díaz headline major signings so far
> – Why it matters: The extended timeline creates opportunities for teams to land impact players well into the offseason
Unlike the NBA and NFL where free agency explodes on day one, Major League Baseball’s offseason market unfolds like a marathon. Last year’s deals for Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman didn’t happen until February, proving patience pays off in baseball’s unique marketplace.
Qualifying Offer Decisions
Thirteen players received the one-year qualifying offer this offseason, with four choosing to accept and stay put. Trent Grisham (Yankees), Shota Imanaga (Cubs), Gleyber Torres (Tigers), and Brandon Woodruff (Brewers) all accepted their offers.
Several other notable players opted to re-sign with their current clubs rather than test the market:
- Ha-Seong Kim stayed with the Braves
- Michael King remained in San Diego
- Josh Naylor re-upped with Seattle
- Emilio Pagán stuck with Cincinnati
- Kyle Schwarber stayed in Philadelphia
Biggest Names on the Move
The free agent market has already seen some major dominoes fall. Pete Alonso jumped to Baltimore, while Dylan Cease headed north to Toronto. The Dodgers bolstered their bullpen by signing Edwin Díaz, and Adolis García moved from Texas to Philadelphia.
Other significant signings include:
- Ryan Helsley (Orioles)
- Kenley Jansen (Tigers)
- Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
- Devin Williams (Mets)
- Mike Yastrzemski (Braves)
Top Remaining Free Agents
The market still features plenty of star power for teams seeking impact players. Here are the top names still available:
Position Players
Luis Arráez leads the hitters after batting .292 with 181 hits and the lowest strikeout rate in baseball at just 3.1%. Bo Bichette hit .311 with 181 hits and 44 doubles after a healthy 2025 campaign.
Cody Bellinger declined his $25 million player option after hitting 29 home runs with 98 RBI for the Yankees. Kyle Tucker earned his fourth straight All-Star nod with 22 homers and 25 steals for the Cubs.
Starting Pitchers
Framber Valdez tops the pitching market after posting a 3.66 ERA across 192 innings for Houston. The two-time All-Star has made at least 28 starts with a sub-3.70 ERA in four straight seasons.
Chris Bassitt logged his fourth consecutive 30-start season, posting a 3.96 ERA in 170.1 innings. Lucas Giolito enjoyed a remarkable comeback from UCL surgery, recording a 3.41 ERA – his best mark since 2019.
Veteran Options
Max Scherzer enters free agency at age 41 after a career-worst 5.19 ERA in just 17 starts due to injury. Justin Verlander, 42, proved he still has something left with a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts for San Francisco.
Zac Gallen saw his ERA balloon to 4.83 after three straight seasons under 3.65, making him an intriguing bounce-back candidate.
International Imports
Three Nippon Professional Baseball stars officially made the jump to MLB:
- Tatsuya Imai (Astros)
- Munetaka Murakami (White Sox)
- Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays)
Right-hander Kona Takahashi opted to return to Japan rather than sign with an MLB club.
Key Takeaways
- MLB free agency moves at a deliberate pace, creating opportunities for patient teams
- Qualifying offer decisions have already reshaped the market
- Top remaining free agents include multiple All-Stars and Cy Young winners
- The slow-developing market means more moves are likely through February
With spring training still weeks away, expect more significant signings as teams and players find common ground in baseball’s uniquely patient marketplace.
