Class of 2026 MLB Free Agents: Who’s Signing Where? (Position-by-Position Preview)
Get ahead of the offseason with our full 2026 MLB free agents preview. See the top names by position, who's hot on the market, and more.
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Imagine staring into an MLB free agent pool with the likes of Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso (if he opts out), Kyle Tucker, Dylan Cease, Ozzie Albies, Bo Bichette, and many other high-caliber stars.
The opportunity to overhaul or improve your roster with just a few key free agent signings.
The 2026 MLB free agent class promises to have the most notable names in recent memory.
Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Alex Bregman highlighted a strong 2024 free agent market, but the 2025-2026 outlook might upstage them, offering an appealing mix of sluggers, young arms, and talented veterans.
Plenty of players are poised to test the open market with opt-outs, shorter deals, or incentive-laden contracts, thanks to the evolving landscape of the current CBA.
The 2025–26 MLB free agents list has headlining stars at every position.
That’s why this article will serve as your position-by-position, live tracker for the upcoming 2026 free agency frenzy — updated regularly as free agency rumors heat up, unfold, and star players put pen to paper with a new club (or sign extensions with current teams).
Regardless of what happens, we’re in for a wild ride.
Check out each positional section’s “Read More” for more in-depth breakdowns of every player available at each position in 2026. Also, further in this article, we’ll tease free agent pools for 2027 to 2030.
2026 Top Free Agent Starting Pitchers
The 2025-26 free agent class is deep on the mound.
Names like Shane Bieber and Dylan Cease could headline a market that can overhaul a team looking for top-tier starting pitching:
Framber Valdez, Houston Astros
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 31 GS, 192 P, 3.66 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, 8.77 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $18 million
Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 32 GS, 168 IP, 4.55 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.33 WHIP, 11.52 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $13.75 million
Michael King, San Diego Padres
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 15 GS, 73.1 IP, 3.44 ERA, 4.42 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, 9.33 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $15 million mutual option, $3.75 million buyout
Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 7 GS, 40.1 IP, 3.57 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 8.26 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $16 million player option
Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 12 GS, 64.2 IP, 3.20 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 0.91 WHIP, 11.55 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $20 million mutual option, $10 million buyout
Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 33 GS, 192 IP, 4.83 ERA, 4.51 FIP, 1.26 WHIP, 8.20 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $13.5 million
2026 Top Free Agent Catchers
There’s some talent up for grabs behind the dish for the 2026:
J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 134 G, .257/.315/.384, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 94 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $23.875 million
Gary Sanchez, Baltimore Orioles
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 30 G, .231/.297/.418, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 99 wRC+, -0.1 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $8.5 million
Danny Jansen, Milwaukee Brewers
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 98 G, .215/.321/.399, 14 HR, 36 RBI, 103 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $8.5 million, $12 million mutual option for 2026 ($500K buyout)
[Full FA 2026 Catcher Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top Free Agent First Basemen
For the second year in a row, Pete Alonso stands to hit the open market as the top free agent first baseman available. Assuming the Mets opt to keep him around (we think… yes?), plenty of help at one-bag is available:
Pete Alonso, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 162 G, .272/.347/.524, 38 HR, 126 RBI, 141 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $30 million, $24 million player option in 2026
Josh Naylor, Seattle Mariners
- Age in 2026: 29
- 2025 Stats: 147 G, .295/.353/.462, 20 HR, 92 RBI, 30 SB, 128 wRC+, 3.1 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $10.9 million
Ryan O’Hearn, San Diego Padres
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 144 G, .281/.366/.437, 17 HR, 63 RBI, 3 SB, 127 wRC+, 3.0 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $8 million
Rhys Hoskins, Milwaukee Brewers
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 90 G, .237/.332/.416, 12 HR, 43 RBI, 109 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $18 million, $18 million mutual option for 2026 ($4 million buyout)
Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres
- Age in 2026: 29
- 2025 Stats: 154 G, .292/.327/.392, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 104 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $14 million
Paul Goldschmidt, New York Yankees
- Age in 2026: 38
- 2025 Stats: 146 G, .274/.328/.403, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 103 wRC+, 0.8 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $12.5 million
Carlos Santana, Cleveland Guardians
- Age in 2026: 40
- 2025 Stats: 124 G, .219/.208/.325, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 82 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $12 million
[Full FA 2026 First Basemen Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top Free Agent Second Basemen
Some productive second basemen might be wearing different unis in 2026…
Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
- Age in 2026: 29
- 2025 Stats: 145 G, .256/.358/.387, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 113 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $15 million
Jorge Polanco, Seattle Mariners
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 138 G, .265/.326/.495, 26 HR, 78 RBI, 132 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $7 million, 2026 $8 million mutual option, converts to a $6 million player option with 450 plate appearances, $8 million player option with 550 plate appearances
[Full FA 2026 Second Basemen Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top Free Agent Third Basemen
The Boston Red Sox may have a decision to make on Alex Bregman, and it is swiftly approaching. Bregman would be hard-pressed to find a $40 million salary on the market, but he can also find a much longer and more lucrative deal overall.
There are some intriguing third base options on the market…
Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 114 G, .273/.360/.462, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 125 wRC+, 3.5 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: Signed 3/$120 million deal ($60 million deferred, $20 million per year), player opt-outs after 2025 and 2026
Eugenio Suarez, Seattle Mariners
- Age in 2026: 34
- 2025 Stats: 159 G, .228/.298/.526, 49 HR, 118 RBI, 125 wRC+, 3.8 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $15 million
Yoán Moncada, Los Angeles Angels
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 84 G, .234/.336/.448, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 117 wRC+, 0.7 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $5 million
[Full FA 2026 Third Basemen Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top Free Agent Shortstops
There is only one top-tier shortstop that is hitting the market who should be a guaranteed starter come Opening Day (that is, assuming Trevor Story doesn’t opt-out)…
Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
- Age in 2026: 28
- 2025 Stats: 139 G, .311/.357/.483, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 134 wRC+, 3.8 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $11.2 million
[Full FA 2026 Shortstop Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top MLB Free Agent Corner Outfielders
A lot of outfielders are available this upcoming offseason, headlined by Kyle Tucker:
Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs
- Age in 2026: 29
- 2025 Stats: 136 G, .266/.377/.464, 22 HR, 73 RBI, 25 SB, 136 wRC+, 4.5 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $16.5 million
Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 152 G, .272/.334/.480, 29 HR, 98 RBI, 10 SB, 125 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $27.5 million, $25 million player option for 2026
Willi Castro, Chicago Cubs
- Age in 2026: 29
- 2025 Stats: 120 G, .226/.313/.366, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 10 SB, 92 wRC+, 0.5 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $6.4 million
Mike Yastrzemski, Kansas City Royals
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 147 G, .233/.333/.403, 17 HR, 46 RBI, 7 SB, 106 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $9.25 million
Mike Tauchman, Chicago White Sox
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 93 G, .263/.356/.400, 9 HR, 40 RBI, 0 SB, 115 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $1.95 million
Austin Hays, Cincinnati Reds
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 103 G, .266/.315/.453, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 7 SB, 105 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $4 million, $12 million mutual option for 2026 with $1 million buyout
Max Kepler, Philadelphia Phillies
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 127 G, .216/.300/.391, 18 HR, 52 RBI, 3 SB, 90 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $10 million
[Full FA 2026 Outfield Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top MLB Free Agent Center Fielders
Trent Grisham, New York Yankees
- Age in 2026: 29
- 2025 Stats: 143 G, .235/.348/.464, 34 HR, 74 RBI, 3 SB, 129 wRC+, 3.2 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $5 million
Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox
- Age in 2026: 28
- 2025 Stats: 110 G, .223/.297/.364, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 33 SB, 84 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $4 million, $12 million mutual option for 2026 with $1 million buyout
Cedric Mullins, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 133 G, .216/.299/.391, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 22 SB, 94 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $8.725 million
Harrison Bader, Philadelphia Phillies
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 146 G, .277/.347/.449, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 11 SB, 122 wRC+, 3.2 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $6.25 million, $10 million mutual option with $1.5 million buyout
[Full FA 2026 Center Fielder Preview → Right Here]
2026 Top MLB DH/OF Bats
Kyle Schwarber might be the most sought-after player on the entire free agent list…
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 162 G, .240/.365/.563, 56 HR, 132 RBI, 10 SB, 152 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $20 million
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 145 G, .232/.355/.400, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 0 SB, 114 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $16 million
Starling Marte, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 37
- 2025 Stats: 98 G, .270/.335/.410, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 7 SB, 112 wRC+, 0.7 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $20.75 million
Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Age in 2026: 39
- 2025 Stats: 135 G, .239/.333/.367, 13 HR, 57 RBI, 1 SB, 95 wRC+, -0.1 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $5 million
2026 Top Free Agent Closers
Edwin Diaz, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 62 G, 66.1 IP, 1.63 ERA, 2.28 FIP, 0.87 WHIP, 13.30 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $21.55 million, opt-out on three-year, $28 million remaining on deal
Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 70 G, 69.2 IP, 2.97 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 0.90 WHIP, 9.69 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $10 million, opt-out on two-year, $16 million remaining on deal
Ryan Helsley, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 58 G, 56.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 1.54 WHIP, 10.13 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $8.20 million
Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 29 GS, 67.1 IP, 3.21 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 9.76 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $16 million
Emilio Pagán, Cincinnati Reds
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 70 GS, 68.2 IP, 2.88 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 0.92 WHIP, 10.62 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $8 million
Devin Williams, New York Yankees
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 67 G, 62.0 IP, 4.79 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, 13.06 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $8.60 million
Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Angels
- Age in 2026: 38
- 2025 Stats: 62 G, 50 IP, 2.59 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 0.95 WHIP, 8.69 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $10 million
Kyle Finnegan, Detroit Tigers
- Age in 2026: 34
- 2025 Stats: 56 G, 57.0 IP, 3.47 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 8.68 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $6 million
2026 Top Free Agent Relievers (Right-Handed)
Teams that go deep in the playoffs always have plenty of bullpen help…
Luke Weaver, New York Yankees
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 64 G, 64.2 IP, 3.62 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 10.02 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $2.5 million
Tyler Rogers, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 35
- 2025 Stats: 81 G, 77.1 IP, 1.98 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, 5.59 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $5.25 million
Seranthony Dominguez, Toronto Blue Jays
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 67 G, 62.2 IP, 3.16 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 11.35 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $8 million
Chris Martin, Texas Rangers
- Age in 2026: 40
- 2025 Stats: 49 G, 42.1 IP, 2.98 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, 9.14 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $5.5 million
Phil Maton, St. Louis Cardinals
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 63 G, 61.1 IP, 2.79 ERA, 2.60 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, 11.89 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $2 million
2026 Top Free Agent Relievers (Left-Handed)
Taylor Rogers, Chicago Cubs
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 57 G, 50.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 9.41 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $12 million
Gregory Soto, New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 31
- 2025 Stats: 70 GS, 60.1 IP, 4.18 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.43 WHIP, 10.44 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $5.35 million
Danny Coulombe, Texas Rangers
- Age in 2026: 36
- 2025 Stats: 55 GS, 43.0 IP, 2.30 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 9.00 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $3 million
Caleb Thielbar, Chicago Cubs
- Age in 2026: 39
- 2025 Stats: 67 G, 58.0 IP, 2.64 ERA, 3.00 FIP, 0.88 WHIP, 8.69 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $2.75 million
Justin Wilson, Boston Red Sox
- Age in 2026: 38
- 2025 Stats: 61 G 40 IP, 3.35 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 1.41 WHIP, 10.61 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $2.25 million
Caleb Ferguson, Seattle Mariners
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 70 G, 65.1 IP, 3.58 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 7.03 K/9
- 2025 Salary: $3 million
Potential 2027 Free Agent Class
Catchers
Salvador Perez, Jonah Heim, Travis d’Arnaud, Tyler Stephenson, Mitch Garver, Kyle Higashioka (mutual option)
First basemen
Pete Alonso, Yandy Díaz (vesting option), Rhys Hoskins, Nathaniel Lowe, Ryan Mountcastle, Andrew Vaughn
Second basemen
Ozzie Albies (club option), Brandon Lowe, Jonathan India, Jeff McNeil (club option), Nico Hoerner, Gavin Lux, DJ LeMahieu, Jorge Polanco, Mauricio Dubón, Kyle Farmer, Jorge Mateo
Third basemen
Alex Bregman (opt-out), Alec Bohm, Jeimer Candelario (club option), Anthony Rendon
Shortstops
J.P. Crawford, Ha-Seong Kim, Orlando Arcia
Outfielders
Ronald Acuña Jr. (club option), Cody Bellinger, Luis Robert Jr. (club option), Adolis García, Randy Arozarena, George Springer, Nick Castellanos, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ian Happ, Daulton Varsho, Seiya Suzuki, Randal Grichuk, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (club option), Victor Robles (club option), Chas McCormick, Taylor Ward, Chris Taylor, Austin Hays, Ramón Laureano, Harrison Bader
Designated hitters
Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson (mutual option)
Starting pitchers
Tarik Skubal, Corbin Burnes (opt-out), Chris Sale, Kevin Gausman, Freddy Peralta, Sandy Alcantara (club option), Michael King, Shane Bieber, Shota Imanaga (club option/player option), Jack Flaherty, Sonny Gray (club option), Clay Holmes (opt-out), Brandon Woodruff, Jesús Luzardo, Nick Pivetta (opt-out), Luis Severino (player option), Frankie Montas, Marcus Stroman, José Berríos (opt-out), Robbie Ray, Brady Singer, David Peterson, Matthew Boyd (mutual option), Taijuan Walker, Jameson Taillon, Jeffrey Springs (club option), Patrick Sandoval, Jose Quintana, Dane Dunning, Michael Lorenzen, Kyle Wright, Lance McCullers Jr., Drew Rasmussen (club option)
Relief pitchers
Emmanuel Clase (club option), Liam Hendriks, Carlos Estévez (club option), Bryan Abreu, Pete Fairbanks, Aroldis Chapman (mutual option), Andrés Muñoz (club option), Jason Adam, Robert Stephenson (club option), David Bednar, José Alvarado, A.J. Minter, Blake Treinen, Paul Sewald, Alex Vesia, Matt Strahm, Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, Jonathan Loáisiga, Tim Hill, Yuki Matsui (opt-out), A.J. Puk, Keegan Akin, Garrett Whitlock (club option), Yimi García, Joel Payamps, Kevin Ginkel, John Schreiber, Joe Mantiply, Joe Jiménez, Wandy Peralta (opt-out), Cionel Pérez, Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, Mark Leiter Jr., Josh Sborz,
Potential 2028 Free Agent Class
Catchers
Adley Rutschman, William Contreras, Willson Contreras (club option), Kyle Higashioka, Joey Bart, Carson Kelly, Jose Trevino (club option)
First basemen
Freddie Freeman, Christian Walker, Yandy Díaz
Second basemen
Jeff McNeil, Luis García Jr., Bryson Stott, Brendan Donovan, Hyeseong Kim (two-year club option)
Third basemen
Alex Bregman, Nolan Arenado, Ryan McMahon, Isaac Paredes, Jeimer Candelario, Zach McKinstry
Shortstops
Jeremy Peña, Geraldo Perdomo, Javier Báez, Taylor Walls
Outfielders
Ronald Acuña Jr. (club option), Anthony Santander (opt-out), Steven Kwan, Luis Robert Jr., Teoscar Hernández, Jurickson Profar, Tyler O’Neill, Masataka Yoshida, Brandon Marsh, Jung Hoo Lee (opt-out), Lars Nootbaar, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Trevor Larnach, Jesús Sánchez, Andrew Benintendi, Jake Meyers, Kyle Isbel, Matt Vierling, Jo Adell, Leody Taveras, Jose Siri, Victor Robles
Designated hitters
Giancarlo Stanton (club option), Joc Pederson
Starting pitchers
Logan Gilbert, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom (club option), Tyler Glasnow (club option), Joe Musgrove, Pablo López, Reynaldo López, Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo (vesting option), Kodai Senga (club option), Justin Steele, Sean Manaea, Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta (opt-out), Luis Severino, Eduardo Rodriguez (vesting option), Sandy Alcantara, Clay Holmes, Tanner Houck, Jordan Hicks, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Cristian Javier, Clarke Schmidt, Jeffrey Springs, MacKenzie Gore, Nick Lodolo, Alek Manoah, Triston McKenzie, Josiah Gray, Tylor Megill, Dean Kremer, Drew Rasmussen
Relief pitchers
Edwin Díaz (club option), Emmanuel Clase (club option), Robert Suarez, Andrés Muñoz (club option), Jhoan Duran, Carlos Estévez, Griffin Jax, Trevor Megill, Camilo Doval, Jeff Hoffman, Will Vest, Jason Foley, Alexis Díaz, Félix Bautista, Yuki Matsui (opt-out), Wandy Peralta, Garrett Whitlock (club option), Yariel Rodríguez (player option/club option), Eli Morgan, Garrett Cleavinger, Aaron Ashby (club option), Robert Stephenson
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