Best landing spots, contracts for top players on the open market

The 2025-26 MLB Free Agent Pool it is full of star players. Free agency in baseball is unique because many of the top players don’t sign when MLB free agency opens, unlike other sports. This year, there are players who have recently appeared in the World Series, more star talent coming from Japan and unheralded players who can be added at a discount. So what is the best landing spot for top players on the open market, and with record deals as is the norm these days, what contracts can be expected?

Best place to land: San Francisco Giants

Intended contract: 10 years, $390 million

It’s Kyle Tucker the best free agent this offseason. There are a number of teams that need help from the field. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for example, could use a left fielder, and they’ve proven in recent offseasons that they’re willing to spend for their needs. At some point, though, the Dodgers can’t land every free agent, so it’s possible the San Francisco Giants will be the team that gives Tucker a big contract. The team made a blockbuster move for Rafael Devers on the trade market. Now is the time to play aggressive free agent.

Best place to land: Boston Red Sox

Intended contract: Five years, $150 million

Speaking of Devers, his replacement should have been Alex Bregman. The Boston Red Sox cannot afford to lose both third basemen in less than a year, so they must do whatever it takes to bring back Bregman. He is a clear defensive upgrade at third base compared to Devers, and has hit 20-plus home runs in four of the last five seasons. The Red Sox have infield depth and a potential replacement for Bregman in Marcell Mayer, but losing Bregman would be a really bad look after the Devers trade. Boston should deploy Bregman at third and Meyer at shortstop or second base long-term.

Best place to land: Boston Red Sox

Intended contract: Three years, $100 million

The Red Sox’s need for a first baseman originally led them to try out Devers at the position last year. That experiment failed, and they still need power at the corner infield positions, especially if Bregman leaves in free agency. Pete Alonso doesn’t provide much outside of power, but he is one of the best home run hitters in baseball. Alonso got the belt 30-plus homers in six of his seven MLB seasons. He’s actually coming off a career year in terms of batting average as well (.272).

Bo BichetteSS, Toronto Blue Jays

Best place to land: Toronto Blue Jays

Intended contract: Six years, $175 million

Bo Bichette was on pace to lead MLB in hits before a late season injury prevented him. He came back for the World Series and almost helped the Toronto Blue Jays win the World Series. It can’t all be for nothing, so Toronto should pay him what he’s worth, and so should they did for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. last offseason.

Munetaka Murakami, 1B, Japan

Best place to land: Los Angeles Dodgers

Intended contract: Four years, $75 million

The Los Angeles Dodgers have become a hotbed for Japanese superstars. Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto won the last two World Series MVP awards with the team. Los Angeles should continue with their philosophy and sign Munetko Murakami this offseason. Murakami would be more of a swing for the fence than the aforementioned players, but he has star potential because of his power. The Dodgers have spent a lot of money on free agents in recent years. They probably won’t stop now, and it would be smart to add a bat after prioritizing pitching depth in recent years. Murakami could replace Max Muncie at third base and eventually Freddie Freeman at first.

Ranger Suarez, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Best place to land: Toronto Blue Jays

Intended contract: Four years, $85 million

The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of upcoming free agents. A few of them are sure to hit free agency. Ranger Suarez may not be an ace, but he’s a really good second or third starting pitcher. If the Blue Jays are willing to pay Bichet, they also need to add pieces that can get them over the hump and past the Dodgers. Los Angeles obviously had the better rotation in the World Series, but adding Suarez would help change that.

Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Seattle Mariners

Best place to land: Seattle Mariners

Intended contract: Two years, $40 million

The The Seattle Mariners have already re-signed Josh Naylor. They should do the same with Eugenio Suarez. Both trade deadline acquisitions worked wonders when they joined the Mariners. Suarez hit 49 home runs last season and has shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to long bombs. The Mariners could actually expect internal improvements from their pitching staff next season, so they need to make sure they have steam on offense.

Robert Suarez, RP, San Diego Padres

Best place to land: Atlanta Braves

Intended contract: Two years, $20 million

The third star, who goes by the name Suarez and is on the open market, is Robert Suarez. The reliever was one of the best pitchers in baseball this past season. The San Diego Padres have aggressively added talent in recent years, but have also often struggled to retain him. The Atlanta Braves should sign Suarez. They were looked upon as World Series Contenders entered the 2025 season, but became one of baseball’s biggest disappointments largely due to problems in the bullpen. Suarez could help them get back on track.

Best place to land: New York Yankees

Intended contract: Four years, $55 million

Edwin Diaz signed the largest contract ever for a relief pitcher in 2022. It won’t match the five-year, $102 million deal he last agreed to, but Diaz should still be paid well this offseason. The New York Yankees had a bit of a revolving door last season. Diaz would end any question marks over who would close out the ninth inning.

Best place to land: Chicago Cubs

Intended contract: Five years, $150 million

Framber Valdez has been one of the best pitchers for the Houston Astros for some time now. After that The Cesar Salazar Incident, however, the question has to be asked whether he will return to the team or not. Justin Steele will likely return to the Chicago Cubs at some point next season, but the team should bolster its rotation by signing Valdez. Valdez has been playing high-leverage games for a while now. The Chicago team would be up there with the Dodgers as one of the best in the league, especially because Shota Imanaga returns to the circle.

Best place to land: Philadelphia Phillies

Intended contract: Four years, $125 million

Kyle Schwarber is a favorite among Phillies fans and is expected to return to Philly. His combination of discipline and hitting power is unmatched in baseball, and the Phillies need to bring him back for another World Series attempt before giving up on this aging one.

Tatsuya Imai, SP, Japan

Best place to land: athletics

Intended contract: Six years, $100 million

The Athletics’ rebuild is ahead of schedule, largely because the team has a young and exciting offense. However, the team needs pitching, so it should jump on the bandwagon of looking for Japan to answer its problems. Tatsuya Imai is short but has a strong punch, similar to Yoshinobu. He could become a star with Atlético.

JT Realmuto, C, Philadelphia Phillies

Best place to land: Philadelphia Phillies

Intended contract: A year, $16 million

JT Realmuto continues to be one of the best catchers in baseball. The Phillies’ core hasn’t been able to get over the hump, but they’re still a long way from blowing things up. Philadelphia should re-sign Realmute to a short-term deal.

Luis Araez, 1B, San Diego Padres

Best place to land: Arizona Diamondbacks

Intended contract: Two years, $20 million

Luis Araez continues to be one of the best contact hitters in baseball. After making a big trade deadline trade, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a roster spot to fill. Teams have drastically different opinions on Arraez, but there are teams that will want him. The Diamondbacks make sense as an open landing spot for a second baseman.

Dylan Cease, SP, San Diego Padres

Best place to land: Baltimore Orioles

Intended contract: Five years, $155 million

The Baltimore Orioles have a bunch of prospects turned pros that have great potential. However, last season proved that they won’t compete if they aren’t willing to spend and bring the guns. Dylan Cease is the ace the Orioles need. He has questionable control, but his clean stuff is nasty.

Best place to land: New York Yankees

Anticipated contract: Five years, $120 million

The New York Yankees lost their star outfielder in MLB free agency last offseason in Juan Soto. They can’t afford to lose another one, so they have to do whatever it takes to get Cody Bellinger back. After a few years of downtime to end his Dodgers tenure, Bellinger has clearly established himself as a star.

Devin Williams, RP, New York Yankees

Best place to land: New York Mets

Intended contract: A year, $17 million

In this projection, Devin Williams and Elias Diaz switch places as closers for New York’s teams. Williams had a successful season for the Yankees, but just a year ago he was considered arguably the best reliever in baseball. He may have to sign a contract to prove it, but such a move could really pay off for the New York Mets. Williams has ties to members of the Mets organization from his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team pursued the reliever and got the best out of him.