Top 50 MLB free agents for 2025-26

[rockondlouie]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/671999 ... d=15694193

Just adding anyone that he listed the Cardinals might be interested in. Zero bats, which is interesting.

11. Zac Gallen, RHP
Age: 30
2025 bWAR: 1.1
2025 team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Agent: Boras Corp.
Just two years ago, Gallen was the starting pitcher for the NL in the All-Star Game and finished in the top 10 in the Cy Young Award voting for the third time in four years. He followed that up last year by going 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA and was expected to be one of the top free-agent starters in this year’s class. However, he had a down year, going 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA and 4.51 FIP over 33 starts. His rate of strikeouts per nine innings was the lowest of his career at 8.2, down from 9.5 the previous year. He just turned 30, but over the past two seasons, he hasn’t been the same pitcher he was at his peak. Will teams see a pitcher who can compete for Cy Youngs again, or one who is more of a mid-rotation starter like he was the last two years?
Salary comps: Seth Lugo 2-years, $46 million; Sonny Gray 3-years, $75 million; Nathan Eovaldi 3-years, $75 million; Yusei Kikuchi 3-years, $66.38 million
Best team fits: Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Astros, Padres, Giants, Braves, Mets, Cardinals, Cubs
Contract prediction: 5-years, $135 million

34. Brad Keller, RHP
Age: 30
2025 bWAR: 1.5
2025 team: Chicago Cubs
Agent: Excel Sports Management
After a career spent mostly in the rotation with Kansas City, Keller made 14 of his 16 appearances in 2024 out of the bullpen, splitting the season between the White Sox and Red Sox. This year, he was in the bullpen full-time after joining the Cubs. He embraced the role, appearing in 68 games and posting an impressive 2.94 FIP, while being an integral part of the Cubs’ bullpen success. He’s set himself up for a bright future as a high-leverage reliever.
Salary comps: Tommy Kahnle 1-year, $7.75 million; Kyle Finnegan 1-year, $6 million; Gregory Soto 1-year, $5.35 million; Matt Strahm 1-year, $7.5 million; Paul Sewald 1-year, $7 million; Ryan Brasier 2-years, $18 million; José Leclerc 1-year, $10 million
Best team fits: Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Braves, Phillies, Cardinals, Tigers, Astros
Contract prediction: 2-years, $15 million

36. Luke Weaver, RHP
Age: 32
2025 bWAR: 0.8
2025 team: New York Yankees
Agent: Ballengee Group
Weaver was one of the best high-leverage relievers in 2024 for the Yankees and he had a dominant first half of the season this year, posting a 2.91 ERA. It was a different story in the second half when he posted a 4.40 ERA and there was speculation he was tipping his pitches. This winter, teams will have to decide whether Weaver’s second-half issues are fixable and he can be the pitcher he was in the first half.
Salary comps: Blake Treinen 2-years, $22 million; Andrew Kittredge 1-year, $10 million; Jeff Hoffman 3-years, $33 million; Emilio Pagán 2-years, $16 million; Matt Strahm 1-year, $7.5 million
Best team fits: Yankees, Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Athletics, Angels, Orioles
Contract prediction: 2-years, $20 million

45. Kyle Finnegan, RHP
Age: 34
2025 bWAR: 1.0
2025 team: Washington Nationals/Detroit Tigers
Agent: The L. Warner Companies
Finnegan was a free agent last winter after saving 88 games in his first five seasons in the majors with the Nationals, but was disappointed when the best offer came late, a one-year, $5.38 million deal from Washington. He lived up to that contract and more before being traded to the Tigers, which led to his first postseason opportunity. He saved 24 games during the regular season between the Tigers and Nationals and was at his best with Detroit down the stretch (1.50 ERA in 16 appearances).
Salary comps: Tommy Kahnle 1-year, $7.75 million; Kyle Finnegan’s last contract 1-year, $5.38 million; Gregory Soto 1-year, $5.35 million; Matt Strahm 1-year, $7.5 million; Paul Sewald 1-year, $7 million
Best team fits: Tigers, Cardinals, Marlins, Rays
Contract prediction: 1-year, $6.25 million

Gallen has been my #1 for months if S. Gray is dealt.

Going into his age 30 season and having been a FOTR starter every year of his career (yes he slipped this season but was back to his old self in his final 11 GS) he'd be perfect for C. Bloom to build a young rotation around.

But never going to happen as BDWJr has made it clear he's NOT spending any money this offseason.

Too bad, Gallen would given him a head start back to relevance and that 3M attendance.

[82birds]

Need the bottom 50 list that’s where the cardinals will be shopping

MO would.
Chaim is no MO.
but then, there's DeWitt

[FrankTheTank]

It's a shame, because I think there are 3 or 4 signings you could make from that list that would keep us from being trash juice next year (again) but like everyone else said, very doubtful owner Scrooge will open his wallet. I am not talking about spending $75+ million, you could spend $20-$30 and field a much approved team.

Zac Gallen on a 3-year deal.
Merrill Kelly on a 1 or 2-year deal.
Jorge Polanco on a 2-year deal.
Trent Grisham on a 1 or 2-year deal.
Zack Littell on a 1-year deal.
Bring Devin Williams home.

[FrankTheTank]

I can't edit my post, but $20-$30 is a little low, but for $35-$40ish, we could be a competitive team, even with our current manager.

[Ozziesfan41]

It's a shame, because I think there are 3 or 4 signings you could make from that list that would keep us from being trash juice next year (again) but like everyone else said, very doubtful owner Scrooge will open his wallet. I am not talking about spending $75+ million, you could spend $20-$30 and field a much approved team.

Zac Gallen on a 3-year deal.
Merrill Kelly on a 1 or 2-year deal.
Jorge Polanco on a 2-year deal.
Trent Grisham on a 1 or 2-year deal.
Zack Littell on a 1-year deal.
Bring Devin Williams home.

Add two middle of the order bats and a new manager to that then maybe they can do something

[dugoutrex]

STL won't be looking at much of that unless one falls to a make good single year contract. I'd be more interested in who will be the top 50 in the next season when STL MIGHT be in the market again.

you mean in two (2) seasons - aka, after the lockout season

[AZ_Cardsfan]

STL won't be looking at much of that unless one falls to a make good single year contract. I'd be more interested in who will be the top 50 in the next season when STL MIGHT be in the market again.

you mean in two (2) seasons - aka, after the lockout season

Trying to be optimistic that they won't have a lockout.

[45s]

Sign TGKS and Bellinger
With one of the Pitchers
And you’re in the playoffs
But BDW is in the LLLLOOOONNNNGGG “we can’t be good for quite some time” process…..because he doesn’t want to write checks
That’s it nothing more nothing less

And he shouldn’t…..bellinger will be 31 and wants a 5/6 year deal at about 30 per….with an opt out…

There is no upside for Stl

[tbird0728]

Who is TGKS?

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Who is TGKS?

The Great Kyle Schwarber

[45s]

Who is TGKS?

The Great Kyle Schwarber

TGKS will be 32

Gold loves those old guys

[bretto12]

The Cards will not be looking at any of the top FA's...especially anyone over 30. Hopefully, that lesson is learned. They might take a number 4 or 5 starter on a one year deal.

Forget about just making the playoffs. I'm tired of being cannon fodder for the big market teams. We need to take our time and build a solid squad that can compete and THEN, sign the big money FA that lets us actually compete for the WS.

[scoutyjones2]

Sign TGKS and Bellinger
With one of the Pitchers
And you’re in the playoffs
But BDW is in the LLLLOOOONNNNGGG “we can’t be good for quite some time” process…..because he doesn’t want to write checks
That’s it nothing more nothing less

Well we both know they aren't going to add $100 mil to the payroll. Maybe I'm estimating high. Even at $75 mil they won't spend it.

At some point BDW needs to spend money to field a competitive team. 26, 27, 28, whatever. You’re not fielding a PS team exclusively through development. 3 FA or traded players will need to be brought in. Today or tomorrow,.

There's a CBA looming...that plays a roll

[TheFantasyStud]

I think adding Wetherholt and a healthy Herrera at catcher will really deepen the lineup. We just need Walker and Gorman to progress. Honestly, could they be any worse. Stick it out with the lineup and double down on starting pitching is my strategy to the playoffs. There's plenty of room to sign two front in starting pitchers. Especially if Arenando and possibly Nootbaar are traded.

Sign Kubal and Gallen
Trade Arenado use some of the money to sign Kubal and or Gallen

1) Whetherholt 2B
2) Donavan 3B
3) Herrera C
4) Burleson LF
5) Contreras 1B
6) Gorman DH
7) Walker RF
Winn SS
9) Scott CF

Bench
Nootbaar (Church or Koperniak), Saggese, Crooks, Fermin

SP - Skubal
SP - Gray
SP - Gallen
SP - Liberatore
SP - McGreevy
(Pallante, Leehy, Matthews)

BP- Pallante
BP- Leahy
BP- Romero
BP- Swanson
BP- Graceffo
BP- O'Brian
BP - King
If you can, sign Maton or Helsley to come back.

[FrankTheTank]

Sign SKubal and Gallen.

If the St. Louis Cardinals sign Skubal, I will buy everyone on CardsTalk a beer. File that under NO WAY in HE** that happens. ha!

[Cusecards]

Ok so let me get this straight?
We sign:
Schwarber
Bellinger
Skubal
Gallen
????????
Got it!