The MLB free agency landscape

The MLB offseason always feels like a powder keg of possibilities. Free agency is where teams can reshape their rosters with a few well-placed signings, while others brace for the inevitable departures of key players. Looking ahead to this offseason, each division across the league presents its own unique storylines. Some teams are on the verge of losing marquee players, while others are keeping a close eye on club options and buyouts.

Let’s take a slow walk through the landscape, team by team, division by division, and see where things stand.

AL East: The Bronx and Beyond

The Yankees have a lot on their plate. Juan Soto, who formed a deadly duo with Aaron Judge last season, might be one-and-done in New York if he seeks greener pastures. Soto’s potential departure would leave a significant hole in the lineup. Gleyber Torres, meanwhile, had a disappointing 2024, and it’s unclear if New York will even try to keep him around. Gerrit Cole could opt out, but the team can add another year to his deal and prevent that.

Over in Toronto, the list of pending free agents is short: Ryan Yarbrough. But the looming concern is 2025, when both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette hit their final year of team control. The Orioles, on the other hand, have bigger fish to fry. Corbin Burnes, who they traded for, is hitting free agency, and they might struggle to keep him in Baltimore. Anthony Santander, fresh off a 40-homer season, is another player who could command a big paycheck elsewhere.

The Red Sox have to deal with key departures, too. Tyler O’Neill was a great trade acquisition for them, but now they’ll need to decide whether to re-sign him, along with filling holes in their bullpen and rotation. Meanwhile, the Rays will have to make a call on picking up Brandon Lowe’s option.

AL Central: Changing Winds

It’s been a rough year for the White Sox - 121 losses rough - and their free-agent picture reflects that. Mike Clevinger, Dominic Leone, and a handful of other pitchers are on their way out, and it wouldn’t be a shock if Yoán Moncada is gone as well. The Guardians face decisions of their own, with Shane Bieber hitting the market after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Royals will likely lose Michael Wacha, who’s coming off a great season. Wacha has been on a run of one-year contracts, and it seems he’s ready for another trip through free agency. The Twins, meanwhile, see Max Kepler head to the open market after a decade in Minnesota, while Detroit and the Marlins have already sold off most of their veterans.

AL West: Tough Choices in Texas

For the Astros, it’s a critical offseason. Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander are both pending free agents, and while Verlander’s return to Houston in 2023 was big news, his 2024 performance was far from stellar. Bregman is arguably more important to the Astros’ future, but re-signing him won’t come cheap. The Rangers, fresh off a disappointing follow-up to their 2023 World Series win, have to rebuild their pitching staff, with Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi, and José Leclerc among those potentially departing.

Meanwhile, the Angels’ situation couldn’t be more different from last winter, when Shohei Ohtani was the talk of free agency. This time, they’re looking at far less glamorous decisions, with players like Brandon Drury and Matt Moore on the list.

NL East: Big Names, Big Moves?

Perhaps the most interesting name in the Mets’ free-agent pool is Pete Alonso. The slugger is just a few homers shy of the franchise’s all-time record, but it’s entirely possible the Mets move on from him. They also face rotation holes, with José Quintana and Luis Severino both set to hit free agency. The Phillies, on the other hand, have already locked down ace Zack Wheeler and are mainly focused on bullpen decisions.

Down in Atlanta, the Braves face the prospect of losing Max Fried, one of the best pitchers on the market. Fried’s price tag may be too high for the team’s typical spending limits. Veterans like Charlie Morton, who might retire, and Whit Merrifield are also headed for free agency.

NL Central: Milwaukee and Beyond

For the Brewers, the headline is Willy Adames, one of the top shortstops in the league, entering free agency. Adames joins the likes of Corey Seager and Trea Turner in recent years as a high-profile shortstop likely to cash in. The Cardinals have their own former MVP, Paul Goldschmidt, hitting the open market, though his performance has taken a dip.

And then there’s Cody Bellinger. The Cubs’ outfielder had a down year in 2024, but his name still carries weight, and he could opt out of his contract to seek a better deal.

NL West: New Horizons

The Dodgers’ offseason hinges on Walker Buehler and whether the right-hander can find his form after a lackluster return from Tommy John surgery. They’ll also have decisions to make with Teoscar Hernández, who had a standout year in Los Angeles. The Giants will likely see Blake Snell test free agency after a superb second half, while the Padres face decisions on Ha-Seong Kim and a few veteran pitchers.

Meanwhile, the D-backs will lose Christian Walker, one of their top bats, and possibly Joc Pederson. Arizona does have some control over key players with club options for Wilmer Flores and Merrill Kelly, but they’ll still be busy shoring up their roster.

The Road Ahead

Every offseason brings a flurry of activity, but this one feels especially crucial for a number of teams. From the Yankees’ star-studded dilemmas to the Brewers potentially losing their franchise shortstop, every club has its work cut out for it. The question now is which teams will spend big and which will try to build from within. All eyes are on the market now, as fans and players alike wait to see how the dust will settle.