Top 50 MLB free agents for 2025-26
Posted: 27 Oct 2025 18:30 pm
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.
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