Best Free Agent for Every Team

With the Dodgers raising the World Series trophy to cap off their dominating run in the playoffs, we can finally put a bow on the 2024 season. In a year full of legendary performances and improbable runs, it is important to highlight that free agency played a key role in the final results and success of a few franchises, especially as Los Angeles was able to parlay its billion-dollar offseason into a coveted title. The factor of spending is not only essential to having the best players available, but also to cover up some mistakes, injuries, and overall bad luck, as the Dodgers proved time and again. Despite losing most of its rotation and resorting to bullpen games in critical junctures of the postseason, their whole infrastructure was too much for others to overcome.

With this in mind, the start of the 2024-25 offseason presents a number of free agents who can dream of being that relevant for teams that can also dream of better days ahead. Of course, not all of them are created equal, in terms of career trajectory, capabilities, and financial commitment. This is why today we are running down a list of the best possible free agents for every team, being realistic in how their marriage could happen and without repeating the same player for multiple teams. The idea is to match them up and present a compelling argument as to why they make a great match when it comes to budget considerations and competitive cycles.

Most of these signings will probably not happen, even when they make too much sense, but we can always dream.

 

AL EAST

 

Yankees – Blake Snell

 

Obviously, Juan Soto will be the team’s top priority, but remember when Luis Severino sparked some controversy by stating that the Yankees only had two good hitters? Well, that lack of depth was ultimately exposed in the World Series, and New York could benefit from spreading some money around and building a better lineup. However, this is a franchise that loves making splashes, and prime free-agent money would be well spent on a frontline pitcher like Snell. After a rough first half in 2024, the two-time Cy Young rediscovered his form and was his dominant self. At age 32 next year, he could be an excellent complement to Gerrit Cole, who will still be in pinstripes for a while.

 

Orioles – Alex Bregman

 

After two seasons that saw Baltimore rise to top contender status only to flounder in the end, it has become clear that some kind of veteran leadership is needed to balance such a young lineup. While new ownership inherited this talented squad, it must now take the next step to keep this window open for as long as possible. Enter Alex Bregman, who has received a qualifying offer and could still return to Houston, but should be pursued by a number of teams looking for championship pedigree and above-average production at third base. The Orioles need both of those things, as third base was mostly manned by Ramón Urías and Emmanuel Rivera, and they are not exactly building blocks in this organization.

 

Red Sox – Nathan Eovaldi

 

In what would be a nice reunion following his 2018-22 stint in Boston, Eovaldi is still more than capable of providing solid starts, which is precisely what Boston needs. 2024 could be seen as a disappointment after the 81-81 end result, but it also could be viewed as a sign of better days in Beantown, especially as many young players broke out. While it is hard to see the Red Sox competing for top free agents again (seeing Mookie Betts winning two World Series elsewhere still has to sting), a moderately-priced veteran pitcher on a short-term deal makes a lot of sense to shore up the rotation.

 

Rays – Max Kepler

 

After a solid career with the Twins, Max Kepler will test free agency for the first time. It couldn’t come at a worse time, as Kepler is coming off the worst full season of his career, with injuries limiting him to only 105 games and eight homers. While his age and profile will probably not be attractive for many contenders, he could be the quintessential Tampa Bay pickup, as the franchise has made it a habit to revive players out of thin air. On an affordable one-year pillow contract with an option, the Rays could be a great fit for Kepler’s career, as his blend of athleticism and power would really help their middling offense.

 

Blue Jays – Jeff Hoffman

 

Toronto’s 74-88 record underscores just how much of a disappointment they were in 2024, but the front office resisted the temptation of trading away any cornerstones and may want to run it again in 2025. Hoping for a Bo Bichette bounceback is probably a good idea,  Vlad Jr. is just entering his prime, and the rotation remains underrated, but the bullpen was an abject disaster and needs urgent work. As it happens every year, trying to project a bullpen is risky, but adding a top reliever is paramount for this team. This is where Jeff Hoffman comes in, especially as he may no longer be as essential for Philly, and he could become a top closer or at least a prime set-up man for Toronto. Coming off two seasons with a sub-2.50 ERA, Hoffman appears to be the real deal.

 

AL CENTRAL

 

Guardians – Shane Bieber

 

This is boring, of course, but Cleveland’s frugal ways tend to get in the way of true free-agent splashes. In this case, a Bieber reunion makes sense for both parties, even as he will miss a good chunk of 2025 following Tommy John surgery. This will make his price tag considerably lower, and returning to the Guardians on a short-term deal could at least show other teams that he can come back healthy and productive, aiming for a true payday as soon as next offseason.

 

Royals – Max Scherzer

 

It sounds like a stretch, of course, but with Scherzer becoming a mercenary at this stage of his career, joining a young team with true contending aspirations may be a match made in heaven. The Royals are coming off a season that saw them build almost a full rotation through free agency, and adding a future Hall of Famer may be bold enough to sustain their sudden rise to relevancy. While even a one-year deal may be onerous, the front office is finally willing to invest in the club.

 

Tigers – Danny Jansen

 

As the top feel-good story of the late season, the Tigers came one win away from the ALCS and are clearly on the rise. While their offense and staff have a lot of areas to improve, adding a veteran catcher is essential to stabilize the rest of the roster. Jake Rogers has been fine in the position, but Detroit needs to add better talent if they are to sustain their momentum in the Central. Jansen will finally be freed from the weird catching tandem in Toronto, and he will be a young 30-year-old next season. With better two-way play from its catcher, the Tigers can at least win the offseason.

 

Twins – Harrison Bader

 

The Twins remain one of the most confounding teams in the league, as most of their top players are a permanent question mark in terms of health and availability. While the market is thin in terms of dynamic outfielders, adding someone like Harrison Bader could be of great help, as he is capable of playing multiple positions and can provide a spell for Byron Buxton from time to time. Bader may not be a major difference-maker, but the Twins need depth more than anything if they are to compete with the new contenders in their division.

 

White Sox – Craig Kimbrel (?)

 

No free agent deserves this, to be honest, but the White Sox will probably sign a few veterans and take a chance on them becoming trade fodder for the next deadline. In this light, someone like Craig Kimbrel makes sense, especially after his disastrous season with the Orioles. He will be 37 next year and still probably has a couple of decent seasons in his belt, but he probably belongs in a non-contender right now in order to re-establish his value.

 

AL WEST

 

Astros – Paul Goldschmidt

 

The former MVP has fallen on hard times, and the Astros may be wary to sign a veteran first baseman following the José Abreu fiasco, but Goldschmidt to the Astros makes sense on many levels. He would need only a short-term contract at an affordable rate, while his underlying stats suggest that he still has enough left in the tank to be an above-average hitter. Considering that Houston has enough weapons, Goldy would only need to be a role player in this offense, while his swing seems perfect for the short porch in left.

 

Mariners – Christian Walker

 

Seattle’s offense cost the team a chance at the playoffs in 2024, and upgrades are needed in many positions, but the biggest hole may be at first base. While pursuing someone like Pete Alonso may be out of the team’s price range, and he strikes out too much anyway, the perfect profile for a first baseman in Seattle may just be Christian Walker. He has enough patience to work walks and is coming off three straight seasons of at least 25 homers, and he should come at a reasonable price.

 

Rangers – Sean Manaea

 

Texas’ title defense was a dud, with injury woes and offensive regression ultimately dooming the 2023 champs. However, most of the team’s core is coming back, with many projection systems suggesting that the offense should be just fine. Having a presumptive Jacob deGrom return to full health obviously plays a huge role in having confidence, but cannot be guaranteed by any means, which is why adding another veteran starter is necessary. Sean Manaea has re-invented his delivery and his career, becoming the Mets’ ace in a deep playoff run, and should now command a decent contract in free agency, which the Rangers can afford.

 

A’s – Alex Verdugo

 

Oakland Sacramento is facing an uncertain future, so signing free agents may not be relevant at this moment, which is why the team may take a flier on a couple of veterans who can at least provide value via trade later on. Verdugo fits the bill as one of the youngest free agents of this class. The embattled outfielder has already played for three teams without fulfilling his prospect promise, which is the kind of low-risk player a team like the A’s tends to pursue.

 

Angels – Yusei Kikuchi

 

The Angels will probably try to keep patching their flawed roster with free agents, and in this case, a veteran starter with upside may be the best option they have. Yusei Kikuchi has oscillated between mediocre and great for most of his career, but produced a fantastic late-season surge after being traded to Houston mid-season, probably adding a few zeroes to his next contract. Anaheim tends to overspend, but at least it would make sense for a pitcher like Kikuchi while the team hopes for better health and at least a bit of good luck in 2025.

 

NL EAST

 

Phillies – Tanner Scott

 

The Phillies have gone backward in the playoffs, from the World Series in 2022 to the NLDS in 2024, and the fanbase may now be getting restless regarding this window of contention. The offense may be stacked with veterans on large contracts and the rotation appears set at the top, which leaves the bullpen as the obvious area to address. The team tried to rebuild the pen via trades in 2024, but now they could go all-in with a top-of-the-line closer, and Tanner Scott seems like a perfect fit. With an elite ERA and prime closer stuff from the left side, he can add a whole new level of certainty at the back end of games.

 

Mets – Juan Soto

 

Soto’s case may be similar to Shohei Ohtani’s in 2024, where his agent can basically write the terms of the expected contract and see which teams are willing to meet them. That may leave four or five teams as realistic destinations, but no one needs Juan Soto more than the Mets, who should be desperate to establish their brand as the league’s newest financial bully. He has already shown that he is up to the occasion in terms of the Big Apple, has championship experience, and may just be entering his prime. If the Mets are going to go crazy in free agency, this is the player you do it for.

 

Atlanta – Jack Flaherty

 

With Max Fried and Charlie Morton entering free agency, and with Spencer Strider to miss a good part of 2025, Atlanta will probably be shopping for pitching reinforcements. Jack Flaherty, who will be just 29 next season, has the profile to become the next big ace in the rotation, especially when we consider that Chris Sale’s status is far from certain in any given season. Flaherty was one of the biggest beneficiaries of last season’s trade deadline, making a splash with the champion Dodgers and regaining his early-career form. He will probably command a multi-year deal approaching nine figures, but the front office must recognize that the NL East has suddenly become an arms race.

 

Nationals – Charlie Morton

 

With 17 seasons under his belt, the end is near for Charlie Morton, but should he continue to pitch, the Nationals could be a solid option. The team is on the upswing with a young core, but the pitching staff still needs a lot of work, which is where a wily veteran could be really useful to mentor the younglings and eat some innings in the process. Morton’s 4.19 ERA in 2024 shows that he is not the same pitcher he used to be, but he still has a lot to offer and at the least could become trade bait during the season.

 

Marlins – J.D. Martinez

 

Much like with the White Sox, the Marlins have no need for free agents except to round out the roster and possibly become trade candidates at the deadline. In this regard, a veteran, professional hitter like Martinez may be cheap enough to take for the lowly Marlins, as the graying DH may get a chance to showcase his power to the rest of the league.

 

NL CENTRAL

 

Brewers – Max Fried

 

This one will probably not happen, especially after Atlanta gave Fried a qualifying offer, but a pitcher of his caliber may just be what the Brewers need to get over the hump. Milwaukee fell painfully short after another solid season, and now they should get Brandon Woodruff back and healthy, but going for a top pitcher is the kind of bold move a team like Milwaukee needs to make. With a career 3.07 ERA and playoff experience, he may be out of the team’s price range, but they have enough payroll flexibility to go all-in.

 

Cardinals – Gleyber Torres

 

With Nolan Gorman taking a major step back in 2024, second base has suddenly become a need for the Cardinals. Even as they are probably entering a rebuild, someone like Torres is young enough to provide long-term value at a reasonable price. The erstwhile Yankee is a classic change-of-scenery candidate, as he could never replicate his early-career success in the Bronx, and St. Louis is in dire need of new franchise cornerstones following a couple of rough years.

 

Cubs – Corbin Burnes

 

After another lost season, the Cubs appear ready to make a statement in free agency, and going for the top pitching option may be just what the doctor ordered. With the likes of Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, and Jameson Taillon having enough talent to carry a rotation, adding a clear ace would make Chicago an instant contender, which is paramount as the division keeps getting stronger. Money should not be an issue for this franchise, and Burnes is battle-tested enough to justify the millions coming to him.

 

Pirates – Andrew McCutchen

 

The Pirates may have other clear areas of need, so this is mostly a sentimental pick, but re-signing a franchise icon in what could be his final season is the kind of move that only happens in baseball. McCutchen should at least provide an average bat while he mentors the youth in this suddenly exciting team, that could contend as early as next season. If this signing does not happen, here’s hoping that Cutch finds a proper way to retire.

 

Reds – Jurickson Profar

 

Cincinnati is in a weird spot in their competitive cycle, which is why it would make sense to sign one of the league’s weirdest players. Profar was essentially out of baseball a year ago, but he should receive at least a few down-ballot MVP votes after a career year in 2024. Most teams will probably shy away from signing him, as it is hard to trust this sudden rise against many years of mediocrity, but a club like the Reds can at least take a gamble on the former top prospect, hoping that their home ballpark provides a lot of assistance in the power department.

 

NL WEST

 

Dodgers – Willy Adames

 

If we know something about the Dodgers, they will not be content with their title and roster as it stands today. Expect to see them in the mix for Soto, Burnes, and many other premier free agents, but their best fit could be a power-hitting shortstop. After experimenting with Mookie Betts at the position, the team ended the season with Miguel Rojas manning the infield, and Willy Adames presents a big upgrade there. Of course, he will be expensive and command a long-term deal, but LA usually doesn’t have a problem with that.

 

Padres – Anthony Santander

 

The Padres were the only team in the playoffs who actually threatened the Dodgers, making their exit a bit more painful. However, their recent history suggests that they will keep trying until they can win it all, and a player like Anthony Santander makes a lot of sense. With a couple of outfield spots being open, Santander is a perfect plug-and-play candidate that also supplies enough power to be consistent with the team’s identity. As a bonus, he should not be that expensive, and his offensive profile projects well into the mid-term future.

 

Diamondbacks – Pete Alonso

 

Alonso may well re-sign with the Mets, as he is clearly the face of the franchise. But should he not, he would be a perfect fit for a team like Arizona, especially if they lose their starting first baseman. Alonso’s swing has a lot of holes and he tends to have long dry spells, but it is undeniable that he is one of the most prominent names in the sport, and his legendary playoff run may be evidence that his power also plays in big spots. He will surely command a large contract, but the Dbacks are smartly run and have a solid, cost-controlled core, meaning that they could afford a splash signing.

 

Giants – Ha-Seong Kim

 

Kim’s late-season shoulder injury will probably limit his market, which is a shame considering he has been one of the league’s most underrated players. Considering that his former manager is in San Francisco and his best friend is set to man center field at Oracle Park, there are more factors other than money that could push Kim to the Giants. He would become a massive upgrade at shortstop, at least defensively, and make the team’s positional alignment clear. While San Francisco’s past regime was big on short-term deals and opt-outs, Kim could sign a modest mid-term deal that breaks that mold.

 

Rockies – Joc Pederson

 

With no prominent pitcher willing to go to Colorado, it seems that every free agent signing has to come on offense. However, these additions usually don’t work out anyway, leaving the Rockies in a precarious spot. With this in mind, someone like Joc can at least provide entertainment, as his prodigious power and violent swing seem like a perfect match to hit in 81 games at altitude.