Predicting Where These Stars Will Land This Offseason
Predicting Where the Top Free Agents will Sign this MLB Offseason
On October 30th, the Los Angeles Dodgers became World Series Champions, officially ending the 2024 MLB season. We are now officially in the offseason & many players have become free agents. The most notable of these free agents are Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Alex Bregman, Blake Snell, & many other superstars. While some may re-sign with their respective teams, many stars are going to be moving to a new city. However, nobody knows where these players are going to be playing next season, so, today we are going to be predicting the landing spot of some of the top free agents.
Juan Soto | OF | Age: 26
Since breaking out with the Nationals in 2018 & winning a World Series in 2019, Juan Soto has been one of the best players in the league. After being traded to the Padres in 2022, Soto played for San Diego until he was traded to the Yankees in a huge blockbuster trade last December. Soto had a great season in the Bronx, hitting .288/.419/.569 with 41 homeruns & 109 RBIs. Soto’s season, which started out as an MVP-caliber season helped the Yankees win the American League pennant & reach the World Series for the first time since 2009. Soto’s contract is expected to be worth around $540M & have a 10+ year duration. One of the most appealing parts of Soto to teams, besides his talent is that he is only 26 years old, & he could still be a top player even at the end of a long term deal. For example, if Soto signed a 12 year deal, he would only be in his late thirties after that deal (38).
With this, the top landing spots for Soto are the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, & the Toronto Blue Jays. Even though there are some great teams that Soto could definitely be urged to sign with, he had an amazing season with the Yankees & seems to fit in with the club very well. The Yankees have the money to spend on a big contract like Soto’s & New York still looks like a major threat for the Commissioner’s trophy next year too.
Prediction: Yankees Resign Juan Soto to 12-year, $620 Million Deal
Corbin Burnes | RHP | Age: 30
Corbin Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award Winner & a 4-time All-Star has been one of the best pitchers in the league the past few years. After being traded to the Baltimore Orioles last offseason from the Milwaukee Brewers, Burnes had an amazing season. In the 7th season in the big leagues, Burnes went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA & a 1.10 WHIP. In addition, Burnes ranked 6th in the major leagues with 194.1 innings pitched during the 2024 season. Burnes, who was the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2024 All-Star Game, has been viewed as the best pitcher in free agency right now has been predicted to get a contract worth about $230 million & around 7 years long.
The top teams to sign Burnes are the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, & Baltimore Orioles. Although the Red Sox might give Burnes a good offer, the Mets & Orioles will most likely match the offer & both teams are certainly in a better spot to win. While the Orioles probably would like to have Corbin back, the Mets will most likely offer more money & the O’s could go after a starter like Blake Snell or Max Fried. The Mets are coming off of a good playoff run & look like they are going to get even better this offseason. Burnes would be joining a rotation that would have Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, plus any other free agent signings. Lastly, the Mets President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, who formerly served the role on the Brewers, Burnes’s former team will most likely target Burnes because of their connection.
Prediction: New York Mets sign Corbin Burnes to 6-year, $225 Million Deal
Alex Bregman | 3B | Age: 31
Bregman, who has been one of the best third basemen this decade, has spent his entire 9-season career with the Astros. However, with Bregman entering free agency for the first time in his career, could his time in Houston come to an end? Bregman is coming off a season where he hit .260/.315/.453 with 26 homeruns & 75 RBIs. Although these stats are not nearly as good as Bregman has had in previous years, they are still decent numbers. With a projected contract of 6 years & $180 million, the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, & the New York Yankees have all been teams that have been connected to Bregman.
Although the Astros could try to get Bregman back, two of their top prospects in Brice Matthews (#3) & Zach Dezenzo (#5) are both players with a lot a potential that can play third base & both are really close to making the big leagues. With this, Houston could sign a player like J.D. Davis or Paul DeJong to a short deal until their prospects are ready. On the other hand, Seattle’s third basemen have either been Josh Rojas or Dylan Moore. However, both players are utility and could move around to open up a spot for Bregman. Seattle wants to win but hasn’t been able to put together a good season & this past year, their biggest issue was their offense. With a player like Bregman in the same lineup as Julio Rodriguez & Randy Arozarena, Seattle could finally put together the season they have been hoping for.
Prediction: Seattle Mariners Sign Alex Bregman to 7-year, $180 Million Deal
Blake Snell | LHP | Age: 32
Along with Burnes, Snell is a former NL Cy Young Award Winner (2023), who will be highly sought after by teams. Although he had a rough start in San Francisco, Snell ended the season with a 5-3 record & a 3.12 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP in only 104 innings. Even though these certainly aren’t the best stats, they are still really good & the highlight of Snell’s season was his start on Aug. 2 vs the Cincinnati Reds when he threw the first no-hitter of his career & the 18th in Giants franchise history. Snell, who was a highly sought after free agent last off-season, is predicted to sign a deal worth up to $110M & around 4 years long. The teams expected to be in on Snell include the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, & the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although all of these teams seem like good picks for Snell, I have the Mets signing Burnes & with Gerrit Cole staying with the Yankees, the Orioles seem like the best fit as they are a playoff team & with Corbin Burnes leaving, Blake Snell could be at the top of their rotation in 2025.
Prediction: Baltimore Orioles Sign Blake Snell to 3-Year, $88 Million Deal
Pete Alonso | 1B | Age: 30
Since having an amazing rookie season in 2019, Pete Alonso has been one of the best power hitters in the league. The face of the Mets over the past 5 years, Alonso has averaged 37 homeruns every season, including the shortened 2020 season. While mostly known for his power, Alonso hit .240/.329/.459 this year with 34 homers & 88 RBIs. The “Polar Bear” is expected to land a 7-year, $190 million deal. The teams reportedly interested in adding this heavy hitter to their lineup in 2025 include the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, & the Chicago Cubs. While Alonso has a good chance of winning with almost any of these teams, he recently made a good playoff run with the Mets & New York has a lot of money to spend this offseason, which could be spent to resign their franchise player, along with other stars, possibly pitching like Corbin Burnes. In addition, Alonso seems to like playing in Queens & New York is a team that could do big things in 2025.
Prediction: New York Mets resign Pete Alonso to 6-year, $185M Deal
Anthony Santander | OF | Age: 30
Anthony Santander, who hit 44 home runs this season for the Orioles, is a very underrated player & could land a surprisingly big contract this winter. Santander, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his career this year, hit .235/.308/.506 with 44 homers, as mentioned before, 102 RBIs, & 91 runs scored. The Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, & Philadelphia Phillies have all been connected to Santander, who is projected to sign a 5-year, $100M deal this offseason. Even though the Yankees, could try to get Santander if Soto decides to leave the Bronx in free agency, we predicted Soto to resign with N.Y., which would most likely take the Yankees off the board for “Tony”. Baltimore has expressed their hopes to bring Santander back & remaining in Baltimore would give him good chances to make the playoffs.
Prediction: Baltimore Orioles resign Anthony Santander to 5-year, $105M Deal
Free agency is here & many stars are going to be moving teams, however, some will remain with their teams, all with the hope to win a World Series in 2025. The real question is, where will these players sign?
Hope the Orioles keep Burnes
If we don't get anyone on this list, were looking towards 2026 then.