With just about a month until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, let’s take a look at some big names who still remain on the free agent market.
Alex Bregman, 3B
Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman is one of the best corner-infielders to hit the free agent market this offseason. After spending nine seasons with the Astros, Bregman turned down a six-year, $156 million deal to stay in Houston. The Astros and Yankees were originally frontrunners to sign Bregman, but this is unlikely now with both teams securing corner-infielders.
The Detroit Tigers or Boston Red Sox seem to be the best fit for Bregman. They are both contenders in the American League and acquiring Bregman would make clinching a postseason berth likely for either club. Boston is my ideal landing spot for Bregman because his righty swing was made to do damage to the Green Monster in left field at Fenway Park, like he has with the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Pete Alonso, 1B
New York Mets fan-favorite Pete Alonso is a free agent after struggling to come to an extension agreement with the front office and Mets’ owner Steve Cohen. Alonso reportedly turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer in 2023. The “Polar Bear” is a four-time All Star and two-time Home Run Derby Champion, who also set the single-season homerun record for a rookie after winning National League Rookie of the Year in 2019.
The Yankees, Mariners, or Angels were supposedly in on Alonso, but these do not appear to be viable options as they are no longer seeking big name free agents. The slugger played all 162 games with the Mets in 2024, leading the league. He is loved by this franchise and frankly, I could not imagine a world where Alonso is not a New York Met.
Roki Sasaki, RHP
23-year-old Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki may be the most intriguing free-agent this offseason. Sasaki has already met with seven teams, making his way to the MLB after playing four seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB). He is expected to sign in the next international signing period which opens on January 15th. He can only be signed using each team’s international bonus pools, ranging from $5 million to $7 million.
If Sasaki were to land with the Dodgers or Padres, he would have Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Yu Darvish to shadow. However, he could also be a fit for New York to strengthen the Yankees or Mets starting rotations. These four clubs appear to all be top suitors for the right-hander, but I think he goes to either San Diego or the Bronx.
Anthony Santander, RF
Switch-hitting Anthony Santander is one of few true power hitters on the market right now. Santander is coming off of a career-high 44 home run season, but there has not been much news concerning him as of late. The Yankees were rumored to be pursuing Santander, but this shortly ended after they landed Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Cubs.
Santander has spent the entirety of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, but there have been no talks of an extension with the club. Baltimore’s AL East rival Toronto Blue Jays may just be the fit for Santander. He would slide in between Vladimir Gurrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, where his power will impact their lineup tremendously.
Ultimately, this year’s free agent signing class has been incredible and these are just a few of the many top names who remain on the market. There have already been some astounding moves made by several clubs this offseason.
I’m excited to sit back and see where these players and others will end up for the 2025 season.
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