Who Are the Top MLB Free Agents for 2024-2025

The MLB free agency period before this season was one of the wildest and most expensive that the sport has ever seen. Teams spent roughly $2.9 billion to bolster their rosters ahead of the season that is now set to expire.

The biggest deal came when the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani $700 million for a 10-year deal. The team also structured the deal in a way that deferred some $680 million until as late as 2043.

While we may not see another $700 million contract, the upcoming free agency class is set to be another great one.

When the World Series ends in just a few weeks, teams will start regrouping and reloading with their sights set on the 2025 season. Here’s a look at some of the biggest names that are set to hit the market, along with a few predictions as to where they might land.

Juan Soto: New York Yankees

Juan Soto is one of the best young players in baseball and has continued his remarkable career in New York after spending the first part of it with the Padres.

It’s rare for a player as good as Soto to ever hit free agency, but Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, is notorious for getting his players the most money by letting them test the free agent market.

In the past, it was a foregone conclusion that the Yankees would sign every big-name player, but things have changed. While it’s certainly possible that Soto stays in pinstripes, the Mets and Giants are also expected to be major players for his services.

Anthony Santander: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles fans may not want to hear this, but Santander has picked the perfect time to have the best season of his career, as 2024 was a contract year for the slugger.

A first-time All-Star this season, Santander ended the season with 44 home runs. While he’s been a major part of Baltimore’s resurgence, it’s more likely than not that Santander will have a new home when Opening Day 2025 rolls around.

This isn’t because Baltimore doesn’t appreciate him, nor does it mean they can’t afford him. Instead, the team has a wealth of outfield depth in its system. Santander may find himself on one of the teams that miss out on Juan Soto, while the Cardinals and Phillies are also potential landing spots.

Pete Alonso: New York Mets

It feels like Pete Alonso’s name has been at the center of trade rumors for years, but the 30-year-old slugger is a free agent after this season. The Mets are in the National League Championship Series, so the “Polar Bear’s” attention probably isn’t on his next contract.

However, there are plenty of teams that are licking their chops at the opportunity to nab the Mets' best hitter.

You can expect the Mets to make a play to keep him, but other than Soto, Alonso may get the highest-paid contract of any position player in the offseason.

The Cubs have been interested in Alonso, at least casually, for a couple of seasons, so they’re expected to be interested in signing him now. You should also expect the Astros to make a play for Alonso.

Corbin Burnes: Baltimore Orioles

When the Orioles acquired Burnes, there were some concerns about him pitching in the American League for the first time in his career.

Those fears were quickly put to rest when Burnes proved himself to be the ace that the O’s had been looking for for years.

Unfortunately for Baltimore, the season didn’t turn out the way they had hoped. Now eliminated, the team stands to lose their stud pitcher after only one season in the Queen City.

The Red Sox desperately need pitching, and now that they’ve seen Burnes in the AL East, they’re expected to make a play for the right-handed pitcher’s services. However, it’s also entirely possible that the Orioles offer Burnes a hefty sum to stay put and lead their pitching staff into the future.

Willy Adames: Milwaukee Brewers

Brewers fans get frustrated when their team can’t hold onto the young talent that works its way through their system, but that’s the problem with a small-market team.

The Brewers, who are coming off another NL Central title lost in the Wild Card Round, and Adames is expected to be one of the hottest names on the market. This is especially true because there just isn’t a wealth of big names at shortstop in this year’s MLB free agency class.

The Giants were rumored to be interested in Adames when there were rumors of Milwaukee trading him earlier in the season, but the team’s success stopped those rumors. It’s also expected that the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers will make a move.

Blake Snell: San Francsico Giants

The 2023-2024 MLB free agency class was headlined by a group known as the “Boras Four,” which was four players represented by Scott Boras.

However, Snell didn’t find a deal as fast as some of Boras’ other clients, which was shocking as the lefty had just come off his second Cy Young season. Snell’s contract with the Giants was for one year with a player option for next season, and after Snell’s strong second half of the season, he’s expected to test the free-agent waters once again.

Based on his remarkable second half, the Giants will probably offer Snell a deal to keep him in-house, but there will be some competition. It’s expected that the Padres, who Snell used to play for, will try to bring him back as they make another World Series push, while the Rangers are also likely to try to sign him.

Free agents aren’t allowed to sign yet, but when the signing window opens, there will be plenty of action. These might be the biggest names, but there will be plenty of familiar faces in new places when the 2025 season starts.