MLB · 1 month ago

MLB Free Agency Predictions: Landing Spots for Tucker, Bichette, and Key Remaining Targets

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

15. J.T. Realmuto, C
2026 Age: 35 | Previous Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Notes: Experienced catcher showing signs of age-related decline, hitting .257/.315/.384 with 12 HR and 2.1 fWAR in 2025; still provides value behind the plate but offense has dipped from peak levels.

Projected Landing Spot: San Diego Padres

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1. Kyle Tucker, OF
2026 Age: 29 | Previous Team: Chicago Cubs

Notes: Consensus top free agent; elite five-tool player with consistent 4+ WAR seasons when healthy, but recent injuries (hand fracture in 2025) are a concern. Hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 HR and 25 SB despite setbacks.

Projected Landing Spot: Los Angeles Dodgers

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2. Bo Bichette, SS
2026 Age: 28 | Previous Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Notes: Strong rebound with .311/.357/.483, 18 HR, and AL-leading 181 hits before knee injury; excellent bat-to-ball skills, but declining defense and speed may push him to second base.

Projected Landing Spot: Blue Jays
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
2026 Age: 32 | Previous Team: Boston Red Sox

Notes: Solid .273/.360/.462 with 18 HR in 114 games despite quad injury; plus defender with steady production, but age and injury history temper long-term upside.

Projected Landing Spot: Red Sox
4. Cody Bellinger, OF/1B
2026 Age: 30 | Previous Team: New York Yankees

Notes: Versatile defender who hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 HR and 98 RBI; improved plate discipline and WAR (5.0), but bat speed decline is a risk.

Projected Landing Spot: New York Mets
5. Framber Valdez, SP
2026 Age: 32 | Previous Team: Houston Astros

Notes: Workhorse with 3.66 ERA over 192.0 IP; ground-ball specialist but late-season struggles (6.05 ERA in final 10 starts) and attitude concerns noted.

Projected Landing Spot: Baltimore Orioles
6. Ranger Suarez, SP
2026 Age: 30 | Previous Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Notes: Reliable lefty with 3.20 ERA and 151 K in 157 IP; injury history (back issues) and velocity drop are risks, but solid mid-rotation arm.

Projected Landing Spot: Chicago Cubs
7. Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B (Japan)
2026 Age: 26

Notes: NPB power star (246 career HR) posted this winter; huge upside, but rising strikeouts (29%) and contact issues add risk.

Projected Landing Spot: New York Mets
8. Michael King, SP
2026 Age: 31 | Previous Team: San Diego Padres

Notes: Solid numbers (3.44 ERA in 73 IP), but injuries (shoulder, knee) limited him; high-risk, high-reward arm.

Projected Landing Spot: San Francisco Giants
9. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
2026 Age: 34 | Previous Team: Seattle Mariners

Notes: Power surge (49 HR), but .298 OBP and declining defense; short-term value as aging slugger.

Projected Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Pirates
10. Tatsuya Imai, SP (Japan)
2026 Age: 27

Notes: Dominant NPB starter with a 1.92 ERA, 10-5 record, and 178 K in 163.2 IP during 2025 breakout; 27.8% strikeout rate well above league average, plus a combined no-hitter; frontline upside, but MLB adjustment and past control issues pose risks.

Projected Landing Spot: New York Yankees
11. Zac Gallen, SP
2026 Age: 30 | Previous Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Notes: Solid starter who regressed in 2025 with a 4.83 ERA over 192 innings after a strong 3.22 ERA from 2022-24; concerns over declining strikeout rate and pitch effectiveness, but still projects as a reliable mid-rotation arm with good command.

Projected Landing Spot: Diamondbacks
12. Kazuma Okamoto, 1B/3B (Japan)
2026 Age: 29

Notes: Power-hitting infielder from NPB with a track record of strong on-base skills and plus raw power; hit .327/.416/.598 with 15 HR in 69 games in 2025; potential adjustment risks to MLB velocity.

Projected Landing Spot: Seattle Mariners
13. Chris Bassitt, SP
2026 Age: 37 | Previous Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Notes: Veteran innings eater with a 3.96 ERA over 170.1 IP in 2025; velocity decline is a concern at his age, but limits hard contact and remains effective with a varied pitch mix.

Projected Landing Spot: Blue Jays
14. Lucas Giolito, SP
2026 Age: 31 | Previous Team: Boston Red Sox

Notes: Bounced back post-elbow surgery with a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings, but underlying metrics show diminished stuff and strikeouts; profiles as a back-end starter with injury history.

Projected Landing Spot: San Francisco Giants
15. J.T. Realmuto, C
2026 Age: 35 | Previous Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Notes: Experienced catcher showing signs of age-related decline, hitting .257/.315/.384 with 12 HR and 2.1 fWAR in 2025; still provides value behind the plate but offense has dipped from peak levels.

Projected Landing Spot: San Diego Padres

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1. Kyle Tucker, OF
2026 Age: 29 | Previous Team: Chicago Cubs

Notes: Consensus top free agent; elite five-tool player with consistent 4+ WAR seasons when healthy, but recent injuries (hand fracture in 2025) are a concern. Hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 HR and 25 SB despite setbacks.

Projected Landing Spot: Los Angeles Dodgers

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MLB Free Agency Predictions: Landing Spots for Tucker, Bichette, and Key Remaining Targets

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