Discover the Top 25 MLB Steals of 2025: Surprising Ranking for Shohei Ohtani!

MLB’s 25 biggest bargains in 2025 highlight an intriguing landscape where Shohei Ohtani ranks at the very top. Just a year after he signed a groundbreaking $700 million contract, the baseball world witnessed a new standard of worth when Juan Soto inked a $765 million deal with the Mets, setting a fresh benchmark for superstar contracts.

This shift in contract dynamics reshapes how fans and teams perceive the value of elite players. With Ohtani’s remarkable dual-threat capabilities as both a pitcher and hitter, his contract appears even more favorable when compared to the escalating salaries of his peers.

As teams evaluate their rosters, they are keenly aware of which signings offer the most value. Rōki Sasaki is poised to be among MLB’s most affordable stars shortly, but for now, the focus remains on identifying the most advantageous contracts currently in play.

The rankings below consider the entire duration of each contract, the player’s performance thus far, the projected value in 2025, and how these contracts are likely to evolve. While subjective, wins above replacement (WAR) serves as a solid foundation for this analysis. The WAR figures referenced are sourced from Baseball-Reference.

A few guidelines were established: only players who have signed multi-year extensions or free-agent contracts are included—this excludes arbitration-eligible players, pre-arb players, and those on one-year deals. Only players who have begun their contracts are considered, leaving out individuals like Cristopher Sánchez.

While numerous star contracts excite fans, the following list reveals the 25 biggest bargains as the league approaches the 2025 season.

25. Andrés Muñoz, Seattle Mariners, RP 

Terms: Four years, $7.5M (2022-25) plus club options in 2026 ($6 million), 2027 ($8 million), and 2028 ($10 million) 
AAV: $1.9M 
2025 salary: $2.5M
2024 WAR: 2.0 
WAR accumulated through contract: 4.1
Age in 2025: 26

While some may question the inclusion of relievers on this list, Muñoz is a notable exception. After finishing in the top three of Cy Young voting, his 4.1 WAR over three years nearly matches the $4.5 million he has earned. His contract covers arbitration years, and if he maintains his status as one of the league’s top relievers, the Mariners will benefit from a bargain during his first three free-agent years.

24. Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs, 2B/SS 

Terms: Three years, $35M (2024-26) 
AAV: $11.7M
2025 salary: $11.5M
2024 WAR: 3.7 
WAR accumulated through contract: 3.7
Age in 2025: 28

Fans can expect elite defense and base-stealing from Hoerner, along with consistent, league-average offense. This combination has positioned him as a 3-6 WAR talent during his prime, making the $11.5 million he will earn in 2025 a sound investment.

23. Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies, SS 

Terms: Seven years, $63.5M (2024-30) plus club option in 2031 ($23M)
AAV: $9.07M
2025 salary: $4.2M
2024 WAR: 3.8
WAR accumulated through contract: 3.4
Age in 2025: 23

While players like Bryce Harper and Fernando Tatis may seem like bargains now, they could lose value as time progresses. Tovar, who received down-ballot MVP votes at age 22, is likely to improve as his contract unfolds. His elite defensive skills offer a strong foundation, alleviating concerns about his swing decisions. With this extension, he secures at least two free-agent years at an AAV below $10 million during his prime, which could prove to be a significant advantage.

22. Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals, SP 

Terms: Two years, $30M (2024-25) plus player option in 2026 ($15M)
AAV: $15M
2025 salary: $15M
2024 WAR: 5.3 
WAR accumulated through contract: 5.3 
Age in 2025: 35 

Lugo’s transition from bullpen to starter proved successful, leading to the most productive season of his career at age 34. His diverse pitch repertoire and reliance on skill over velocity suggest he will continue to be effective throughout this short-term deal, even if he doesn’t replicate his previous Cy Young-caliber performance.

21. Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants, SP 

Terms: Five years, $90M (2024-28) 
AAV: $18M
2025 salary: $12M 
2024 WAR: 3.7 
WAR accumulated through contract: 3.7
Age in 2025: 28

20. Sandy Alcántara, Miami Marlins, SP 

Terms: Five years, $56M (2022-26) plus club option in 2027 ($21M) 
AAV: $11.2M
2025 salary: $17.3M 
2024 WAR: N/A 
WAR accumulated through contract: 11.4 
Age in 2025: 29

Even with a missed season, Alcántara’s deal remains one of the most team-friendly contracts in baseball. After an impressive 8.0-WAR season in 2022, he is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in 2025. If he can recapture his previous form, the $11.2 million annual average value will prove to be a wise investment for the Marlins or any contending team willing to take on his contract.

19. Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays, 1B 

Terms: Three years, $24M (2023-25) plus club option in 2026 ($12M)
AAV: $8M
2025 salary: $10M
2024 WAR: 1.6
WAR accumulated through contract: 6.8
Age in 2025: 33

Díaz’s three-year extension came after a stellar 2023 season, during which he led the American League with a .330 batting average and earned an All-Star nod with a 5.2-WAR performance. If he can return to that form, he could be retained for just $12 million in 2026, a reasonable price for a player of his caliber.

18. Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox, OF  

Terms: Six years, $50M (2020-25) plus club options in 2026 ($20M) and 2027 ($20M)
AAV: $8.5M
2025 salary: $15M
2024 WAR: strong> 1.4
WAR accumulated through contract: 13.9
Age in 2025: 27