Top 10 Free Agent Relievers for the 2026-27 MLB Offseason
Adrian Morejon, David Bednar, and Raisel Iglesias highlight this year's class.
Each year heading into the offseason, teams across the league go above and beyond to repair and fine-tune their rosters for the upcoming season. For many of these teams, they require minor additions to ensure they’re ready to compete the following season, as many organizations are minor tweaks away from being competitive.
While those additions can take place all around the field, one position above all else tends to experience the most year-to-year turnover: relief pitchers.
Relievers are always a hot commodity during the offseason, and this year looks to be no different. While bullpens seem small on paper in comparison to the rest of a team, they can truly make or break a season. For teams that saw their bullpens play a major role in their downfall in 2026, addressing these needs will be a top priority this winter.
Luckily for these clubs, the crop of reliever free agents this offseason is quite strong. Headlined by dominant closers such as Adrian Morejon, David Bednar, Raisel Iglesias, and more, it’s a good year to be in need of bullpen help. These options will come with a significant financial commitment, but in most cases, the investments are well worth it.
Let’s dive in and meet the 10 best relievers this offseason and take a closer look at what they have to offer to the teams in the market.
10. Sean Newcomb, LHP
After signing a modest one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox last offseason, left-hander Sean Newcomb turned into one of the biggest bargain success stories in the entire league. Thrust into a true Swiss Army Knife role, Newcomb was a revelation for the White Sox, pitching in every high-leverage and multi-inning scenario imaginable.
Over 60 regular-season appearances (including six starts as an opener), Newcomb pitched to a stellar 3.09 ERA across 90.1 innings, striking out 84 batters and locking down four saves alongside 12 holds. He limited barrels (6.5% barrel rate) and kept the ball on the ground more often than not, which played a notable role in his success.
Newcomb’s overall body of work proved he’s capable of handling heavy volume, which has been quite valuable on the open market. Entering free agency heading into his age-34 season, Newcomb’s durability and dynamic versatility make him an extremely attractive target for clubs looking to add a proven, multi-functional left-handed weapon to their bullpen.
9. Steven Okert, LHP
When you think of sharp, left-handed Astros relievers, your mind typically goes straight to six-time All-Star Josh Hader. However, while Hader continued to excel in 2026, another left-handed Astros reliever put together the best season of his nine-year career: Steven Okert.
Used as a Swiss-Army Knife reliever all year long, Okert was excellent regardless of the situation. He posted a full-season career-best ERA of 2.13, alongside 68 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.82, the second-best mark among all relievers in baseball according to FanGraphs. On top of that, he was elite at limiting free passes and inducing whiffs, which he did thanks to his slider, which opponents hit .183 against.
Although Okert is far from a household name on the free agent market this winter, he’ll likely be one of the most coveted free agent relievers of this class. Don’t be surprised if teams come chomping at the bit to land him this winter, as he could help transform any bullpen around the league going into 2027.
8. JoJo Romero, LHP
With the best record in the sport on deadline day, the Brewers attempted to swing for the stars and land Tarik Skubal to boost their chances at the first World Series title in franchise history. Instead, they fell short, making a few smaller moves instead. One of these trades was for left-hander JoJo Romero, who ended up being a huge piece of their bullpen, pushing them to a World Series victory even without landing Skubal.
Split between the Cardinals and Brewers this season, Romero recorded a 3.36 ERA across 56.1 innings pitched, striking out 54 batters along the way. He excelled at keeping the ball on the ground regularly, which helped limit significant damage even when he was hit hard.
Although Romero’s more advanced metrics aren’t as positive as his surface-level numbers, he could be an interesting name to keep an eye on this winter. He’s still just 29 years old and in the right organization, and could continue to cement himself as a very good left-handed reliever.
7. Alex Vesia, LHP
During the Dodgers’ reign of dominance over the baseball world, many things have contributed to their success. Of course, generational talents like Shohei Ohtani have led the way, but their bullpen has been an underrated asset for the franchise. One of the most underrated members of this group is Alex Vesia, who is now a free agent for the first time in his career.
Ever since the Dodgers won their second World Series of the decade during the 2024 season, Vesia has been one of the best relievers in baseball. He’s one of only four relievers to pitch to an ERA under 2.50 with more than 240 strikeouts during this period. This puts him in a truly exclusive club that also includes Mason Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and Cade Smith – three of the sport’s best closers.
While Vesia might not be the flashiest name in this group, he could have one of the biggest impacts of any reliever free agent on the market. He’ll be entering his age-31 season, and with his track record of dominance, he should be a slam-dunk pick to receive a multi-year deal this winter.
6. Emilio Pagán, RHP
Despite entering the 2026 campaign with high expectations surrounding a young, exciting core, the end result was far from what the Cincinnati Reds had hoped for. However, they did boast multiple exciting individual performances, and among these was right-hander Emilio Pagán, who was a solid high-leverage arm all season long.
During his third year with the Reds, Pagán was one of Terry Francona’s go-to arms – and for good reason. Through 42.2 innings, Pagán recorded 25 saves, notched an ERA of 3.38, and limited free passes on a regular basis. His 6.3% walk rate was among the top marks for relievers, which played a huge role in his success.
Similar to many other relievers on this list, Pagán faces a very similar uphill battle this winter: his age. Pagán is about to enter his age-36 season, but he’s proven to be a reliable arm whenever his name is called upon.
5. Jason Adam, RHP
Over the past few years across the league, few teams have put together a more threatening bullpen than the San Diego Padres. While fireballers Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and others have consistently dominated the headlines, right-hander Jason Adam has been an integral cog in this machine.
Although he missed nearly three months this season due to a shoulder injury, Adam still delivered for the Padres when his health cooperated. Across 34.1 innings, Adam notched 22 strikeouts and a 2.62 ERA, while maintaining a 1.17 WHIP. His slider emerged as a true weapon this season as well, generating a whiff rate of over 37%.
Adam, now 34 years old, is going to face some more challenges than other electric free agent relievers on this market. With injury and age concerns on his side heading into contract negotiations, a multi-year deal may be harder to secure, but he’s proven he can be an important piece for any contender in the league when healthy.
4. Bryan Abreu, RHP
Of the blue-chip relievers on the market, right-hander Bryan Abreu might be the most polarizing of them all. At his very best, he’s one of the sharpest bullpen arms in the sport, with an electric arsenal capable of shutting down hitters. However, he hasn’t gotten consistent results in the big leagues over the last two years, which speaks to his inconsistency.
After posting a 2.28 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 71 innings during the 2025 season, 2026 was a much trickier season for Abreu to navigate. He ended up finishing with the second-highest ERA of his career (3.73), and he saw his control struggles catch up to him. With a 15.3% walk rate, Abreu finished near the bottom of the sport in this category.
Despite the rocky road that was his 2026 season, Abreu has the potential to return to the previous version of himself, becoming a sharp, high-leverage arm for a contender. He’s appeared in at least 66 games in each of his seasons dating back to 2023, meaning there’s no doubt that he can cover some innings even when he’s not at his sharpest.
3. Raisel Iglesias, RHP
During the 2026 season, the Atlanta Braves were a dominant force on all cylinders. While their electric lineup often got the majority of the credit, their bullpen was one of the best in baseball, as the group combined for the fourth-best ERA in the sport. At the top of this bullpen was Raisel Iglesias, who turned in the first All-Star campaign of his 12-year career.
Iglesias was tough to square up every time he stepped on the mound this season. He pitched to a 2.55 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 60 innings, while picking up 34 saves for the NL East champions. During his four full years with the Braves, Iglesias has mounted 130 saves, the most of any reliever in baseball during this span.
Although he’s now 36 years old, Iglesias is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He’s still plenty capable of being a trusted weapon out of the bullpen, and he’ll be one of the most desired relievers on the market this winter.
2. David Bednar, RHP
David Bednar entered the final year of his contract looking to solidify himself as one of the best relievers on the market with a dominant first full year in New York. He did all of that and more, as he shut the door for the Yankees consistently, becoming Aaron Boone’s most trusted, reliable relief weapon.
This season, Bednar pitched to a 2.47 ERA across 69.1 innings pitched, striking out 76 batters and recording 35 saves along the way. This was the second time Bednar had saved more than 30 games in his big league career, and the first time since 2023 that he had reached that threshold. He was particularly excellent at limiting hard contact all season long, and elite at getting chases (99th-percentile chase rate).
Bednar will undoubtedly be one of the top choices for teams looking for a legitimate, lockdown reliever this winter. He’s proven to be a resilient, dominant big-league arm, and he’s going to be handsomely rewarded with a significant payday as a result.
1. Adrian Morejon, LHP
After many believed there was a chance that Adrian Morejon would be dealt at the 2026 trade deadline, the Padres elected to keep the left-handed fireballer, and he was dominant down the stretch. Throwing 86 innings this season, Morejon wasn’t just one of the best relievers in the sport, but he was a very reliable workhorse, something that’s grown increasingly rare in today’s Major League Baseball.
Through 76 games, Morejon posted a 2.83 ERA, struck out 107 batters, and posted a WHIP of just over 1.00. Morejon’s 2.8 fWAR ranked fourth among relievers in 2026, which speaks to his dominance. In addition to that, if you check his Baseball Savant page, you’ll find nothing but a sea of red, as he ranked in the 90th percentile or better in nearly every category aside from extension.
For teams looking for a real, legitimate upgrade in their bullpen, Morejon will be one of the hottest commodities on the market. There’s a very good chance that he’ll become one of the highest-paid relievers in the sport once he officially inks his contract.
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Written by
Jay Staph, a huge baseball fan and stat nerd, founded and ran his own baseball writing website, BSBWrites, at just 16-years-old. With focal points around prospects,…