Ranking the Top 10 MLB Free Agents Ahead of the 2025 Season

1. Juan Soto

New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto will be the undisputed most sought-after free agent of the upcoming offseason. But considering the investment the Evil Empire made in their outfielder this past offseason, both in terms of initial salary and what they gave up in the trade to acquire him, it seems inevitable that Soto will be a Yankee for a long time to come.

9. Alex Bregman

Alex Bregman has failed to recapture the glory of his 2019 season, but he remains a top-tier major leaguer capable of making an impact (not with a garbage can, of course). Trashy puns aside, Bregman has a lot left to give. His quiet start to 2024 notwithstanding, the Houston Astros third baseman has a 9.5 WAR over the previous two seasons, with at least 93 runs and RBI each season. He may take a pay cut from his $30.5 million salary this year, but Bregman is still getting paid in 2025.

8. Max Scherzer

A litany of injuries has cast doubt on Max Scherzer's ability. However, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the eventual Hall of Famer returns for his age-40 season in 2025. 

Scherzer has been dealing with a prolonged recovery following back surgery. Still, other factors are delaying his rehabilitation, including recently diagnosed nerve and thumb injuries. If the Texas Rangers are unwilling to invest in the three-time Cy Young winner, Scherzer will have no shortage of suitors come November.

7. Shane Bieber

We won't see the best Shane Bieber has to offer in 2024, but we are familiar with his Cy Young caliber standard. Since 2020, Bieber hasn't had an ERA above 3.80, with solid strikeouts and underlying metrics. However, injuries have limited his availability over that stretch, including a torn UCL earlier this season that required Tommy John surgery. Someone will step up to sign him, but Bieber likely won't be cleared to play until partway through 2025.

6. Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt is playing like he doesn't want to get paid this offseason. The soon-to-be 37-year-old and former MVP is having a terrible season. His .279 slugging percentage looks like an average batting average, while his 53 strikeouts dwarf his six extra-base hits. Goldschmidt's time with the St. Louis Cardinals may be drawing to a close, but some teams with hitter-friendly venues could venture to sign him. 

5. Max Fried

Max Fried has been one of the most dominant MLB pitchers over the past five seasons, and it's time he was paid like it. He and the Atlanta Braves agreed on a one-year deal this past offseason, paying Fried $15 million in 2024. But after another dominant start to the season, which included Fried flirting with a no-hitter, the southpaw is due for a hefty pay increase in 2025.

4. Willy Adames

Poor Willy Adames. The sensational shortstop has gone from small market team to small market team, failing to get the recognition he deserves as the top-end talent he is. In seven major league seasons, Adames has a 19.7 WAR, including 12.8 since the start of the 2021 season. Surely, there are baseball executives out there who are willing to pay Adames for what he's worth.

3. Pete Alonso

Everyone gives Pete Alonso credit for his Home Run Derby victories, but it's time to put some respect on his name for all of his regular-season contributions. The former Rookie of the Year has a career .863 OPS and has an outside shot at his third straight 40-home run season and his fourth in six seasons. His first time as a free agent will be a profitable endeavor. 

2. Corbin Burnes

Corbin Burnes is following the Blake Snell blueprint. The Baltimore Orioles ace is looking to capture a Cy Young in a contract season, seemingly improving his perceived value on the open market. However, Burnes' success isn't limited to this season. Over the past five seasons, Burnes is toting around a noteworthy 2.86 ERA, 145 ERA+, and 0.99 WHIP. The Orioles will need to dig deep if they hope to keep their recently acquired pitcher for more than one season.

1. Juan Soto

New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto will be the undisputed most sought-after free agent of the upcoming offseason. But considering the investment the Evil Empire made in their outfielder this past offseason, both in terms of initial salary and what they gave up in the trade to acquire him, it seems inevitable that Soto will be a Yankee for a long time to come.