1. Juan Soto, OF, Yankees
Soto set himself up for the biggest payday in MLB history after batting .288 with a .419 on-base percentage and .569 slugging for the Yankees in 2024. Not to mention a career-best 41 home runs, 129 walks, a league-leading 128 runs scored and 109 RBIs. And Soto didn’t even turn 26 until October, when he helped lead the Yankees to their first World Series since 2009. Even if he doesn’t eclipse $700 million, the value of his contract almost certainly will exceed Shohei Ohtani’s heavily deferred deal.
Predicted contract/destination: 13 years, $702 million with the New York Mets.
In the bidding: Yankees, Giants, Dodgers, Phillies, Rays, Blue Jays, Red Sox
2. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Chiba Lotte Marines (Japan)
Surprise! Sasaki would have made more money (like Yoshinobu Yamamoto did a year ago) had Chiba Lotte of NPB waited two more years to post him at age 25. Instead, the Marines obliged his wishes, so Sasaki will come to MLB but be subject to the same international free agent limitations that Ohtani was when he signed with the Angels in the 2017-18 offseason. That puts Sasaki in every team’s price range, and there will be a big demand for a 23-year-old who throws 96.9 mph and features a top-shelf split-finger fastball.
Predicted contract/destination: 1 year, $2 million minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In the bidding: All 29 other MLB teams
3. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Orioles
Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA with 181 strikeouts in 194 1/3 innings, and has made at least 32 starts for three straight seasons. Having turned 30, Burnes gives indications he could be in decline — notably a decreased K% for a fourth straight season, and diminishing returns on his cutter. No matter, he will bring a salivating market of suitors — and O’s owner David Rubenstein needs to make a splash.
Predicted contract/destination: Six years, $225 million with the Baltimore Orioles.
In the bidding: Red Sox, Mets
4. Alex Bregman, 3B, Astros
Bregman batted .260/.315/.453 with a Gold Glove at third base. While not sexy results at the plate, Bregman’s hitting was on par with his past five seasons, and he ranked among the top 50 hitters in 2024.
Predicted contract/destination: Seven years, $176 million with the Detroit Tigers.
In the bidding: Astros, Cubs
5. Blake Snell, LHP, Giants
Snell finished with solid results (3.12 ERA with 145 K’s in 104 IP), despite signing late in free agency, and missing several starts with minor injuries. Batters made weak contact against him (.263 slugging, 86 mph avg. exit velocity), and Snell had the best K% of his career (34.7%).
Predicted contract/destination: Five years, $155 million with the New York Mets.
In the bidding: Yankees, Cubs, Blue Jays
6. Max Fried, LHP, Braves
One of the 10 best starters in the league since 2019, he isn’t huge with strikeouts but he does keep the ball in the park. Had a forearm strain in 2023 but posted a 3.25 ERA in 29 starts in ’24 at age 30. The Braves don’t typically pay top dollar, but they also can’t afford to let Fried walk.
Predicted contract/destination: Four years, $125 million with the Atlanta Braves.
In the bidding: Yankees, Padres, Mets
7. Willy Adames, SS, Brewers
Slashed .255/.331/.462 with 32 homers and 21 steals in 161 games for the Brewers. He showed a drop in his defensive metrics in ’24 and might have to move to third base within 2-3 seasons.
Predicted contract/destination: Six years, $155 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In the bidding: Giants, Braves
8. Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets
If they can’t land Soto, the Yankees will take from the Mets. At age 29, hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 homers — the fewest of his career in a full season. Posted the weakest isolated power (.219) of his career, and the highest ground-ball rate (42%). One of the five best hitters at his position since 2019, but is closer in value to Rhys Hoskins than top dog Freddie Freeman.
Predicted contract/destination: Six years, $180 million with the New York Yankees.
In the bidding: Mets, Giants, Astros.
9. Jack Flaherty, RHP, Dodgers
Coming off years of arm trouble, Flaherty posted his best results since 2019, making 28 starts and finishing with a 3.17 ERA to go with 194 strikeouts in 162 innings. His K% dropped in the second half, and he had mixed results in the postseason.
Predicted contract/destination: Four years, $100 million with the San Francisco Giants.
In the bidding: Angels, Padres, Yankees.
10. Anthony Santander, OF, Orioles
Switch-hitter who posted a .235/.308/.506 line with 44 homers in 2024, doing equally well from both sides. His career K% is better than the league average by 2 percent. He played a lot of right field at age 29, but he was mediocre on defense.
Predicted contract/destination: Five years, $100 million with the Kansas City Royals.
In the bidding: Blue Jays, Yankees, Giants, Phillies
11. Sean Manaea, LHP, Mets
A free agent for the third straight year who will turn 33 in February, Manaea figures to parlay his best individual season since 2018 into some security. Posted a 3.47 ERA with 184 Ks, 63 walks and just 134 hits allowed in 181 2/3 IP. Batters have slugged .361 against him the past two seasons.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $63 million with the Mets.
In the bidding: Tigers, Yankees.
12. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers
Owns a 3.75 ERA with 648 strikeouts and 151 walks in 115 starts since 2020, similar production to Zach Eflin, Carlos Rodon and Yu Darvish.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $63 million with the Baltimore Orioles.
In the bidding: Rangers, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Padres.
13. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP, Astros
Has had only one above-average season (2023) but, at age 33, went on a great run with the Astros, posting a 2.70 ERA with strong supporting stats in 10 starts after the trade deadline.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $55 million with the New York Mets.
In the bidding: Orioles, Padres.
14. Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Dodgers
Probably his best full season at the plate (.272/.339/.501 with 33 homers) when you adjust for ballpark and league results. Starting to slip on defense at age 32.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $63 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In the bidding: Royals, Tigers, Giants.
15. Christian Walker, 1B, Diamondbacks
A late bloomer who turns 34 in March, he typically puts up better-than-league-average numbers on offense (.251/.335/.468 with 26 homers in ’24) and has won three straight Gold Gloves at first base.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $65 million with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In the bidding: Astros, Yankees, Mariners
16. Tanner Scott, LHP, Padres
Hasn’t always gotten great results, but he has a 2.04 ERA with 188 whiffs and 60 walks (yikes) in 150 innings since the start of 2023.
Predicted contract/destination: Four years, $59 million with the Philadelphia Phillies.
In the bidding: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox
17. Luis Severino, RHP, Mets
Persevered through years of injuries and other disappointments to post a 3.91 ERA with 161 Ks and 60 walks in 182 IP at age 30. Similar results to Freddy Peralta and Luis Castillo.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $54 million with the Chicago Cubs.
In the bidding: Tigers, Giants, Blue Jays.
18. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals
The Astros could use him, but they probably thought the same about Jose Abreu. Goldschmidt’s decline in St. Louis has been noted, but he hit .282/.330/.495 with eight homers in his final 56 games. Now 37, he has to decide how badly he wants a ring and the Hall of Fame.
Predicted contract/destination: One year, $24 million with the Houston Astros.
In the bidding: Yankees, Diamondbacks, Twins.
19. Tyler O’Neill, OF, Red Sox
Injuries kept him out of the lineup sometimes but not like 2022-23. Hit .241/.336/.511 with 31 homers in 473 plate appearances, second most of his career. Best walk rate of career. Playable at corner OF with a strong arm.
Predicted contract/destination: Three years, $45 million with San Francisco Giants.
In the bidding: Orioles, Pirates, Blue Jays, Royals
20. Walker Buehler, RHP, Dodgers
Recovering from Tommy John surgery, Buehler struggled in 16 regular-season starts plus Game 3 of the NLDS. After that, he allowed zero runs and five hits to go with 13 strikeouts in his final 10 postseason innings.
Predicted contract/destination: One year, $18 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers
In the bidding: Giants, Tigers, Rangers, Braves
–David Brown, Field Level Media