2025 MLB free-agent rankings, crew matches: Juan Soto leads high 30

The bottom within the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium had barely began drying up earlier than the recent range received cooking. 

Free company is right here, and groups are already wheeling and dealing. Simply sooner or later after the World Collection, the Braves traded Jorge Soler to the Angels. Over the subsequent few days, groups started negotiating with their very own free brokers and tendering qualifying provides. Now, gamers can begin signing with new golf equipment as unrestricted free company begins. 

Whereas it’d take a few months for the largest items to start out transferring, now’s a superb time to start out trying on the expertise obtainable earlier than the motion takes place. Under are the highest 30 gamers from the 2025 free-agent class. 

Observe: Gamers’ ages in 2025 season listed in parentheses

Let’s dig in. 

1. Juan Soto, OF, New York Yankees (26) — signed with Mets

I imply, was there any query? I assume there may be one: What number of lots of of hundreds of thousands will it take? 5? Six? Extra? And seeing what he means to the Yankees’ lineup, how excessive are they prepared to go to maintain him in pinstripes? It is not on daily basis {that a} 26-year-old famous person turns into obtainable, and he’ll be far and away essentially the most desired free agent in the marketplace. 

Attainable matches: Yankees, Mets, Giants, Dodgers, Nationals  

2. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (30)

If there’s one one that cannot be blamed for the Orioles’ October shortcomings, it is Burnes. Even when his strikeout price was down, he was nonetheless each bit the ace they traded for and went out on a excessive notice with an eight-inning, one-run wild-card efficiency that ought to have been sufficient for his crew to safe a win. His year-to-year consistency ought to make any pitching-needy crew really feel assured in him headlining a rotation. 

Attainable matches: Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, Giants, Pink Sox 

3. Rōki Sasaki, SP, Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Skilled Baseball (23)

Sasaki, who has been one of the crucial intriguing arms in Japan courting again to his highschool days, noticed his stuff take a slight step again this yr as he handled accidents. Sturdiness is his largest query. However it’s not typically a participant of this caliber turns into obtainable at 23 years previous. Over his four-year NPB profession, he went 29-15 with a 2.10 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 5.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio. When he does get posted, anticipate each pitching-needy crew to have an interest within the flamethrowing right-hander, who includes a fastball that will get into the triple digits and a splitter that routinely misses bats. He’ll come at a fraction of the price of most arms of his caliber, might be beneath crew management for years like another minor-leaguer, and may have his prime forward of him.

Attainable matches: Dodgers, Padres, Mets, Rangers, Blue Jays, each crew

4. Blake Snell, SP, San Francisco Giants (32) — signed with Dodgers

Snell did not get the kind of multi-year provide many anticipated coming off his second Cy Younger Award-winning marketing campaign, however he did not sulk about it. As a substitute, the left-hander delivered once more, posting an excellent increased strikeout price than he had the earlier yr. After signing in late March, accidents restricted him within the first half. However these had been his numbers in 14 begins after an IL stint: 5-0, 1.23 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 38.1 Okay%. He was the one pitcher in baseball to have a WHIP beneath 1.0 and strikeout price above 33% throughout this span (minimal 10 begins), and he additionally tossed a no-hitter. Now that he is opted out, I feel he’ll get supplied one thing just a little nearer to what we anticipated final winter. 

Attainable matches: Giants, Dodgers, Mets, Braves, Rangers

5. Alex Bregman, 3B, Houston Astros (31)

It feels bizarre that Bregman may play someplace apart from Houston, the place the two-time All-Star has been a fixture for practically a decade. However there might be loads of suitors for the veteran infielder who has hit 32% higher than league common over his 9 years in Houston (and has hit at the least 13% higher than league common each season). Whereas Bregman chased extra and walked considerably lower than regular final season, he is nonetheless an offensive difference-maker who hits for common, packs some pop, hardly ever whiffs or strikes out and performs elite protection. 

Attainable matches: Astros, Tigers, Mariners, Mets, Pink Sox

6. Willy Adames, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (29) — signed with Giants

Need the most effective shortstop in the marketplace? Look no additional. A serious part of a shock division winner in Milwaukee, I am undecided sufficient individuals talked about how good Adames was this season. In a profession yr, Adames upped his launch angle, launched 32 homers, knocked in additional runs than any shortstop within the majors and in addition swiped 21 baggage whereas taking part in plus protection (even when it did not grade out as extremely this yr because it did the earlier season). 

Attainable matches: Dodgers, Giants, Braves, Blue Jays, Tigers 

7. Max Fried, SP, Atlanta Braves (31) — signed with Yankees

Forearm points are by no means what you need to hear in a contract yr, however Fried pushed via to make 29 begins and ship his second All-Star season. About as regular as they arrive, the lefty would not miss many bats, however he’ll constantly maintain the ball on the bottom and restrict onerous contact. He posted his highest ERA since 2019 this yr, and but it was nonetheless the Fifteenth-best mark within the majors amongst certified starters. 

Attainable matches: Pink Sox, Giants, Mets, D-backs, Padres 

8. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets (30) 

The Polar Bear saved a few of his greatest work for final. Will his late-season heroics be sufficient for Steve Cohen to pay as much as maintain him in Queens? A reunion is likely to be the probably state of affairs. Alonso has been sturdy, however as attractive as his 30-plus homers is likely to be, his defensive deficiencies, rising strikeout price and a batting common that has plummeted the previous two years carry danger as he approaches his age-30 season. 

Attainable matches: Mets, Astros, Mariners, Yankees, Giants 

9. Teoscar Hernández, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (32) 

Hernández by no means received the long-term provide final offseason that he anticipated after a down yr in Seattle, so he determined to reset his market on a one-year flier in Los Angeles. The transfer is about to reward the House Run Derby champ handsomely, whether or not it is again in L.A., the place he rebounded in an All-Star season as a key cog for the champs, or elsewhere. Contemplating what an additive presence he was to the Dodgers each on and off the sphere, and the way a lot he loved the successful atmosphere, a return makes a whole lot of sense. 

Attainable matches: Dodgers, Phillies, Royals, Braves, Pink Sox 

10. Anthony Santander, OF, Baltimore Orioles (30)

Listed below are the hitters with extra homers than Santander over the previous three seasons: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, Matt Olson. That is it. It’s going to be fascinating to see how comparable the market is for Hernández and Santander, a fellow All-Star nook outfielder coming off a career-high 44-homer season. Whereas Santander will not present a lot together with his glove or his legs, he provides a uncommon quantity of energy for somebody who would not strike out a ton. 

Attainable matches: Orioles, Blue Jays, D-backs, Reds, Royals 

11. Christian Walker, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks (34)

One in every of this yr’s largest All-Star snubs, Walker had an .838 OPS and 22 homers within the first half earlier than his numbers dipped late after an indirect subject. Walker’s age might be a deterrent for groups, however he hasn’t demonstrated any indicators of slowing down. He can nonetheless mash — this was his third straight season hitting greater than 20% above league common — and is certainly one of MLB’s greatest defenders at his place. 

Attainable matches: Astros, D-backs, Mariners, Yankees, Mets  

12. Jack Flaherty, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (29)

Flaherty’s profession did not unfold the best way many anticipated after he completed fourth in Cy Younger voting as a 23-year-old in 2019, however a bounce-back season this yr demonstrated what’s nonetheless left within the tank. A sensational first half in Detroit made him the most effective pitcher obtainable on the deadline, and whereas he had a risky second half and postseason stretch together with his hometown Dodgers, he raised his inventory significantly. The eight-year huge leaguer simply turned 29 and posted the most effective strikeout-to-walk ratio of his profession. 

Attainable matches: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, Pink Sox, Cubs

13. Tanner Scott, RP, San Diego Padres (30)

Simply have a look at his Statcast page. The one blip is his stroll price, however that is essentially the most electrical reliever in the marketplace, a left-hander any contender may use on the again finish of the bullpen. 

Attainable matches: Padres, Orioles, Blue Jays, Rangers, D-backs

14. Nathan Eovaldi, SP, Texas Rangers (35) — re-signed with Rangers

A vesting participant choice kicked on this yr for Eovaldi when he tallied greater than 300 innings over the previous two years in Texas. At 34, he is nonetheless lots productive, and his historical past of postseason success ought to make him a gorgeous short-term add for a contender. 

Attainable matches: Rangers, Orioles, Mets, Braves, Pink Sox 

15. Gleyber Torres, 2B, New York Yankees (28)

This wasn’t the stroll yr Torres most likely envisioned. However whereas his efficiency can fluctuate and his protection can confound at occasions, he is nonetheless one of the crucial gifted center infielders in the marketplace. He’ll even be simply 28 when subsequent yr begins, and he flourished towards the top of 2024 after transferring into the Yankees’ leadoff spot.  

Attainable matches: Mariners, Yankees, Pink Sox, Blue Jays, Giants 

16. Yusei Kikuchi, SP, Houston Astros (34) — signed with Angels

The Astros caught a whole lot of flak for what they surrendered to get Kikuchi on the deadline. Then the previous Blue Jay did nothing however reward his new crew, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and a 5.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio after making some prudent arsenal tweaks. He may be susceptible to onerous contact, however 200-strikeout arms do not develop on timber. 

Attainable matches: Astros, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Nationals

17. Michael Wacha, SP, Kansas Metropolis Royals (33) — re-signed with Royals

He did not get the eye of rotation mates Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans, however Wacha’s changeup regarded nearly as good as ever as he quietly produced a 3.35 ERA and his lowest hard-hit price since 2017. That is now three straight years with a sub-3.40 ERA — and for 3 totally different groups. After pitching for six totally different groups over the previous six years, he can resolve if he desires to stay in Kansas Metropolis for $16 million in 2025 or discover different choices. 

Attainable matches: Royals, Brewers, Cubs, Orioles, Guardians

18. Tyler O’Neill, OF, Boston Red Sox (30) — signed with Orioles

It wasn’t that way back when O’Neill completed eighth in MVP voting as a Gold Glove 26-year-old outfielder in St. Louis. Accidents diminished his manufacturing his last two years with the Cardinals, however a more healthy season in Boston yielded enormous energy numbers once more. 

Attainable matches: Pink Sox, Phillies, Royals, Tigers, Reds 

19. Jurickson Profar, OF, San Diego Padres (32)

The previous high prospect, who by no means developed into what many scouts envisioned, put collectively a shocking profession yr at 31. How will groups weigh that late breakout in comparison with his first 10 seasons? 

Attainable matches: Padres, Royals, Reds, Pirates, Phillies

20. Sean Manaea, SP, New York Mets (33) 

A decrease arm slot turned him into a unique form of power down the stretch and the Mets’ high choice in October. 

Attainable matches: Mets, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Orioles 

Better of the Relaxation

21. Ha-Seong Kim, SS, San Diego Padres (29)
22. Walker Buehler, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (30)

There won’t be anybody who benefited extra from October baseball than Buehler. After a forgettable return from a second Tommy John surgical procedure, he turned again the clock and thrived within the postseason, as he tends to do. Even when he would not replicate his previous kind throughout the common season, the perennial playoff standout demonstrated once more what a distinction he can nonetheless make on the largest stage for a crew with World Collection aspirations. 

23. Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Guardians (30) — re-sgined with Guardians

Tommy John surgical procedure worn out most of Bieber’s 2024 season, however as a result of it came about in April, there must be a superb probability he performs most of subsequent season. If he can replicate the elevated whiff price he achieved in his first two begins of 2024 earlier than his elbow blew out, his subsequent crew might be getting a difference-maker. However, in fact, there may be danger. 

24. Luis Severino, SP, New York Mets (31) — signed with A’s
25. Nick Martinez, SP, Cincinnati Reds (34) — accepted Reds’ qualifying provide
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, SP, Boston Pink Sox (32)
30. Alex Verdugo, OF, New York Yankees (29) 

Honorable Mentions: Max Scherzer, Jeff Hoffman, Blake Treinen (Dodgers), Matthew Boyd, Justin Verlander, Kirby Yates, Clay Holmes (Mets), Jose Quintana, Danny Jansen (Rays), Jesse Winker, Carlos Santana, Kyle Higashioka (Rangers), Alex Cobb (Tigers), Michael Conforto (Dodgers), Randal Grichuk, Josh Bell, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Andrew Heaney

Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand lined the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved again to the West Coast in 2014. Comply with him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]