2025 MLB free-agent rankings highlight Juan Soto as the leading player in the market. The ground in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium had barely started drying up before the hot stove began to heat up.
Free agency is officially underway, and teams are already making moves. Just a day after the World Series, the Braves traded Jorge Soler to the Angels. In the coming days, clubs will start negotiating with their free agents and issuing qualifying offers. By Monday afternoon, unrestricted free agency will kick off, allowing players to sign with new teams.
Although it may take some time for the biggest names to find new homes, now is an opportune moment to evaluate the available talent before the frenzy begins. Below are the top 30 players from the 2025 free-agent class.
Note: This list includes free agents and players with opt-outs likely to test the market. It does not feature Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation interested in MLB but not yet posted by his NPB team. Players marked with an asterisk have an option for the next season. Players’ ages for the 2025 season are noted in parentheses.
Let’s take a closer look.
1. Juan Soto, OF, New York Yankees (26)
Juan Soto stands out as the most coveted free agent, and the question remains: how many hundreds of millions will it take to retain him? Five? Six? More? The Yankees recognize his immense value to their lineup, and they are likely to go to great lengths to keep him in pinstripes. It is rare for a 26-year-old superstar to hit the market, making him the most sought-after player available.
Possible fits: Yankees, Mets, Giants, Dodgers, Nationals
Burnes cannot be blamed for the Orioles’ October struggles. Despite a dip in his strikeout rate, he proved to be the ace they acquired, finishing strong with an impressive eight-inning, one-run performance in the wild card. His consistent performance year after year should instill confidence in any team needing a front-line starter.
Possible fits: Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, Giants, Red Sox
3. Blake Snell*, SP, San Francisco Giants (32)
Blake Snell did not receive the anticipated multi-year offer following his second Cy Young Award-winning season, yet he responded with an even better performance. After a slow start due to injuries, he excelled in the second half, boasting a record of 5-0, a 1.23 ERA, and a 0.78 WHIP in 14 starts. He was the only pitcher in baseball with a WHIP under 1.0 and a strikeout rate above 33% during that period, even throwing a no-hitter. Expect him to opt out and seek a deal more in line with his talent.
Possible fits: Giants, Dodgers, Mets, Braves, Rangers
4. Alex Bregman, 3B, Houston Astros (31)
Possible fits: Astros, Tigers, Mariners, Mets, Red Sox
5. Willy Adames, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (29)
Possible fits: Dodgers, Giants, Braves, Blue Jays, Tigers
6. Max Fried, SP, Atlanta Braves (31)
Max Fried faced forearm issues during a contract year but managed to make 29 starts, earning his second All-Star selection. While he may not be a high strikeout pitcher, he excels at keeping the ball on the ground and limiting hard contact. This year, despite posting his highest ERA since 2019, he still ranked 15th among qualified starters in the majors.
Possible fits: Red Sox, Giants, Mets, D-backs, Padres
7. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets (30)
Pete Alonso showcased his best performances late in the season. His late-game heroics might persuade Steve Cohen to invest in keeping him in Queens. While Alonso has displayed durability and impressive power with over 30 home runs, concerns about his defensive abilities, increasing strikeout rate, and declining batting average as he approaches his 30s create uncertainty.
Possible fits: Mets, Astros, Mariners, Yankees, Giants
8. Teoscar Hernández, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (32)
Teoscar Hernández did not receive the long-term offer he anticipated last offseason after a disappointing year in Seattle. Instead, he opted for a one-year deal with the Dodgers to reset his market. That decision has paid off, as he rebounded with an All-Star season, becoming a crucial player for the champions. Given his positive impact both on and off the field, a return to Los Angeles seems likely.
Possible fits: Dodgers, Phillies, Royals, Braves, Red Sox
Possible fits: Orioles, Blue Jays, D-backs, Reds, Royals
10. Christian Walker, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks (34)
Possible fits: Astros, D-backs, Mariners, Yankees, Mets
11. Jack Flaherty, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (29)
Jack Flaherty’s career trajectory has not matched expectations since he finished fourth in Cy Young voting at just 23 years old in 2019. However, his bounce-back season this year proved he still has plenty of talent. A strong first half in Detroit elevated him to the top of the trade market, and while his second half with the Dodgers was inconsistent, he significantly improved his standing. Now 29, Flaherty achieved the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career.
Possible fits: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs
12. Tanner Scott, RP, San Diego Padres (30)
Tanner Scott’s Statcast numbers speak volumes. While his walk rate is a minor concern, he remains the most electrifying reliever available, a left-handed option any contender would want at the back end of their bullpen.
Possible fits: Padres, Orioles, Blue Jays, Rangers, D-backs
13. Nathan Eovaldi*, SP, Texas Rangers (35)
Possible fits: Rangers, Orioles, Mets, Braves, Red Sox
14. Cody Bellinger*, OF/1B, Chicago Cubs (29)
Possible fits: Cubs, Angels, Astros, Giants, Blue Jays
15. Gleyber Torres, 2B, New York Yankees (28)
Gleyber Torres did not enjoy the walk year he anticipated. Despite fluctuations in his performance and occasional defensive lapses, he remains one of the most skilled middle infielders available. At just 28, he excelled towards the end of 2024 after taking on the leadoff role for the Yankees.
Possible fits: Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Giants
16. Yusei Kikuchi, SP, Houston Astros (34)
Yusei Kikuchi faced criticism for the price the Astros paid to acquire him at the deadline. However, he rewarded his new team with a 5-1 record, a 2.70 ERA, and a 5.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio after making adjustments to his pitching style. While he can be prone to hard contact, 200-strikeout pitchers are rare.
Possible fits: Astros, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Nationals
17. Michael Wacha*, SP, Kansas City Royals (33)
Michael Wacha did not receive the same attention as his rotation mates, but his changeup has looked sharp, resulting in a 3.35 ERA and his lowest hard-hit rate since 2017. With three consecutive seasons below a 3.40 ERA for three different teams, he faces a decision: stay in Kansas City for $16 million in 2025 or explore other opportunities.
Possible fits: Royals, Brewers, Cubs, Orioles, Guardians
18. Tyler O’Neill, OF, Boston Red Sox (30)
Tyler O’Neill once finished eighth in MVP voting as a Gold Glove outfielder. However, injuries hampered his production in his final two years with the Cardinals. A healthier season with the Red Sox reignited his power numbers.
Possible fits: Red Sox, Phillies, Royals, Tigers, Reds
19. Jurickson Profar, OF, San Diego Padres (32)
Jurickson Profar, once a top prospect, had a surprising breakout year at 31. Teams will have to evaluate whether his recent performance outweighs a decade of underwhelming production.
Possible fits: Padres, Royals, Reds, Pirates, Phillies
20. Sean Manaea, SP, New York Mets (33)
Sean Manaea adapted his pitching style with a lower arm slot, becoming a key asset for the Mets down the stretch and their top option in October.
Possible fits: Mets, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Orioles
Best of the Rest
21. Ha-Seong Kim, SS, San Diego Padres (29)
22. Walker Buehler, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (30)
23. Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Guardians (30)
Shane Bieber’s Tommy John surgery sidelined him for most of the 2024 season. However, since it occurred in April, he is expected to return for the majority of the upcoming season. If he can replicate the elevated whiff rate he achieved in his first two starts of 2024, his next team will gain a valuable asset, albeit with some risk.
24. Luis Severino, SP, New York Mets (31)
25. Nick Martinez, SP, Cincinnati Reds (34)
26. Carlos Estévez, RP, Philadelphia Phillies (32)
27. Joc Pederson, DH, Arizona Diamondbacks (33)
28. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals (37)
29. Nick Pivetta, RP, Boston Red Sox (32)
30. Alex Verdugo, OF, New York Yankees (29)
Honorable Mentions: Blake Treinen, Matthew Boyd, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Kirby Yates, Clay Holmes, Jose Quintana, Jeff Hoffman, Danny Jansen, Jesse Winker, Carlos Santana, Kyle Higashioka, Alex Cobb, Michael Conforto, Randal Grichuk, Josh Bell, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Andrew Heaney
