As Major League Baseball’s 2024 season draws to a close, the attention of fans, teams, and executives alike shifts toward the high-profile free-agent market for the upcoming 2024-2025 offseason. The free-agent pool is packed with superstars and impact players who could significantly shape the future of various franchises. Below is a list of the top 45 free agents heading into the 2024-25 offseason, along with our predictions for their next contracts and landing spots.
1. Shohei Ohtani – SP/DH
– **Current Team**: Los Angeles Angels
– **Contract Prediction**: 10 years, $550 million
– **Landing Spot**: Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Summary**: Ohtani’s combination of elite pitching and power-hitting has made him arguably the best player in baseball. While his recovery from Tommy John surgery will be a factor, the Dodgers are expected to aggressively pursue the two-way superstar with an eye-popping deal.
### **2. Aaron Judge – OF**
– **Current Team**: New York Yankees
– **Contract Prediction**: 7 years, $320 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Yankees
– **Summary**: After signing a massive deal with the Yankees in 2022, Judge will remain in the Bronx for the long haul. As one of baseball’s premier sluggers, the Yankees will lock him up for the foreseeable future.
3. Mookie Betts – OF
– **Current Team**: Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Contract Prediction**: 6 years, $210 million
– **Landing Spot**: Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Summary**: Betts remains one of the best all-around players in baseball, and with the Dodgers having the resources, he is expected to remain in LA for years to come.
4. Juan Soto – OF
– **Current Team**: San Diego Padres
– **Contract Prediction**: 10 years, $400 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Mets
– **Summary**: Soto’s immense potential and age make him a top target for the Mets, who have deep pockets and a need for a left-handed slugger to anchor their lineup.
5. Blake Snell – SP
– **Current Team**: San Diego Padres
– **Contract Prediction**: 5 years, $135 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Yankees
– **Summary**: Snell’s Cy Young-caliber performance in 2024 will make him one of the most sought-after pitchers on the market, with the Yankees likely making a strong push to add a top starter.
6. Cody Bellinger – OF/1B
– **Current Team**: Chicago Cubs
– **Contract Prediction**: 7 years, $175 million
– **Landing Spot**: San Francisco Giants
– **Summary**: Bellinger’s bounce-back 2024 season should land him a lucrative deal, with the Giants in need of an impact hitter in their lineup.
7. Freddie Freeman – 1B
– **Current Team**: Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Contract Prediction**: 5 years, $150 million
– **Landing Spot**: Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Summary**: Freeman is still a top-tier first baseman, and given the Dodgers’ success, it’s likely he’ll remain in LA for the long term.
### **8. Yoshinobu Yamamoto – SP**
– **Current Team**: Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Japan)
– **Contract Prediction**: 7 years, $200 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Mets
– **Summary**: The Japanese ace will likely be pursued heavily by MLB teams, with the Mets being the most aggressive suitor to bolster their rotation.
### **9. Marcus Semien – 2B**
– **Current Team**: Texas Rangers
– **Contract Prediction**: 6 years, $120 million
– **Landing Spot**: Texas Rangers
– **Summary**: Semien has been one of the most consistent second basemen in baseball, and the Rangers will look to retain him for their championship window.
### **10. Corbin Burnes – SP**
– **Current Team**: Milwaukee Brewers
– **Contract Prediction**: 5 years, $130 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Yankees
– **Summary**: Burnes, one of the most dominant pitchers in the game, could be a major addition to the Yankees’ rotation, and a big payday is on the horizon.
### **11. Matt Chapman – 3B**
– **Current Team**: Toronto Blue Jays
– **Contract Prediction**: 7 years, $160 million
– **Landing Spot**: Chicago White Sox
– **Summary**: Chapman’s elite defense and power bat will earn him a significant contract, with the White Sox being a potential suitor for his services.
### **12. Randy Arozarena – OF**
– **Current Team**: Tampa Bay Rays
– **Contract Prediction**: 6 years, $110 million
– **Landing Spot**: Tampa Bay Rays
– **Summary**: Arozarena’s postseason heroics and steady play make him a core player for the Rays, and they will look to lock him up for the long term.
### **13. Luis Severino – SP**
– **Current Team**: New York Yankees
– **Contract Prediction**: 4 years, $70 million
– **Landing Spot**: Miami Marlins
– **Summary**: Severino’s upside still makes him an intriguing option, and a deal with a team like the Marlins, looking for rotation help, seems likely.
### **14. Justin Verlander – SP**
– **Current Team**: New York Mets
– **Contract Prediction**: 2 years, $45 million
– **Landing Spot**: Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Summary**: Verlander’s age will limit his market, but expect him to return to a contender, with the Dodgers a likely destination.
### **15. Josh Hader – RP**
– **Current Team**: San Diego Padres
– **Contract Prediction**: 4 years, $70 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Yankees
– **Summary**: Hader’s elite bullpen arm is a commodity that will attract big offers, and the Yankees are likely to make a strong play for him to close games.
### **16. J.T. Realmuto – C**
– **Current Team**: Philadelphia Phillies
– **Contract Prediction**: 5 years, $125 million
– **Landing Spot**: Philadelphia Phillies
– **Summary**: Realmuto is arguably the best catcher in baseball, and the Phillies will make sure to keep him behind the plate for the foreseeable future.
### **17. Rafael Devers – 3B**
– **Current Team**: Boston Red Sox
– **Contract Prediction**: 10 years, $350 million
– **Landing Spot**: Boston Red Sox
– **Summary**: Devers is one of the premier power hitters in the game, and the Red Sox will look to keep him in Boston for a long-term deal.
### **18. Max Scherzer – SP**
– **Current Team**: Texas Rangers
– **Contract Prediction**: 1 year, $15 million
– **Landing Spot**: Atlanta Braves
– **Summary**: Scherzer’s age and decline make him more of a short-term option, but he could join a contender like the Braves for one final postseason run.
### **19. Jorge Polanco – 2B/SS**
– **Current Team**: Minnesota Twins
– **Contract Prediction**: 5 years, $70 million
– **Landing Spot**: Minnesota Twins
– **Summary**: Polanco’s bat and versatility will keep him with the Twins as they look to remain competitive in the AL Central.
### **20. Michael Wacha – SP**
– **Current Team**: San Diego Padres
– **Contract Prediction**: 3 years, $45 million
– **Landing Spot**: Baltimore Orioles
– **Summary**: Wacha’s experience and consistency will make him a valuable arm for a team like the Orioles, who are looking to strengthen their rotation.
### **21. Luis Arraez – 2B**
– **Current Team**: Miami Marlins
– **Contract Prediction**: 7 years, $140 million
– **Landing Spot**: Miami Marlins
– **Summary**: Arraez is one of the best contact hitters in the game, and the Marlins will look to keep him in their lineup as they continue to rebuild.
### **22. Trevor Story – SS**
– **Current Team**: Boston Red Sox
– **Contract Prediction**: 5 years, $85 million
– **Landing Spot**: Boston Red Sox
– **Summary**: Story’s glove and bat provide value, and the Red Sox are expected to retain him as part of their future plans.
### **23. Javier Báez – SS**
– **Current Team**: Detroit Tigers
– **Contract Prediction**: 6 years, $120 million
– **Landing Spot**: Detroit Tigers
– **Summary**: Báez has had an up-and-down tenure in Detroit, but he provides leadership and power, making him a key figure for the Tigers.
### **24. Sonny Gray – SP**
– **Current Team**: Minnesota Twins
– **Contract Prediction**: 4 years, $60 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Mets
– **Summary**: Gray’s consistency in 2024 will make him a valuable addition to a Mets rotation in need of depth.
### **25. Giancarlo Stanton – OF**
– **Current Team**: New York Yankees
– **Contract Prediction**: 3 years, $75 million
– **Landing Spot**: New York Yankees
– **Summary**: Stanton’s power bat still provides value, and he’s likely to stay with the Yankees, though his future may be in a reduced role.
