Every offseason, dynasty fantasy teams need to reevaluate their roster with their players entering the upcoming free agent market. This article provides managers with an in-depth look at the fallout from some of the early off-season signings. Which players are benefiting? Which players are going to see their dynasty value take a hit? Check out all of that and more below!
Free Agent Players Seeing Their Dynasty Value Increase
Pete Alonso: five years, $155 million with the Baltimore Orioles
After the Mets had a disappointing end to their 2025 season by missing out on the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, their all-star first baseman, Pete Alonso, made clear he was going to re-enter the free agent market and see if he could land a bigger payday than what the Mets gave him ahead of last season.
Alonso was going to get paid this off-season after he had one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, hitting .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs, 126 RBI, and an NL-leading 41 doubles. Last week, the Baltimore Orioles came in providing Alonso the payday he was seeking, with a five-year, $155 million contract.
The addition of Alonso to the Orioles lineup shows they are all in on competing again in 2026 after underperforming in 2025 with a 75-87 record. Alonso’s power would have been monstrous at Camden Yards before the team pushed back the dimensions of their left field bleachers. But even with the bleachers further back than they used to be, Alonso will be a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive AL East and one of the top first basemen for any dynasty team to hold onto.
Dylan Cease: seven years, $210 million with the Toronto Blue Jays
The first of many big signings for the Blue Jays this off-season, Dylan Cease is traveling from sunny San Diego to north of the border to bolster their rotation after falling short in extra innings during Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers. Cease pitched in his fewest innings since 2021, 168, and had an ERA north of 4.50 for the second time in the last three seasons.
However, with Cease heading to the Blue Jays, who are doing all they can to remain the top contenders in the American League, his strikeout numbers against the power-heavy New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles will be essential to have on any dynasty team. Cease has been one of baseball’s most consistent strikeout pitchers since 2021, striking out at least 214 batters a season each year. If he can maintain this and build up his workload in his age-30 season, then he’ll be a must-have for any dynasty owners in any league.
Players Seeing Their Dynasty Value Decrease From Free Agency Signings
With Alonso signing with the Orioles, it looked as though Brett Baty might finally get his opportunity for regular playing time in the Mets’ infield. But now, with the Mets signing Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal, their infield has once again become crowded with options. Baty finally showed signs of life during the 2025 season from his top prospect status back in the day, putting up a .254/.313/.435 slash line with 18 home runs and 50 RBI in 130 games.
Polanco is likely to split time between third and first base for the Mets this season, still leaving a rotation of Baty and Mark Vientos at third base and DH. The Mets have also tossed around the idea of moving Jeff McNeil to first base with the addition of Marcus Semien from the Rangers. While Baty did have his best season yet in 2025, his playing time is uncertain for 2026, which makes him someone dynasty owners should keep as a bench role but nothing more.
Robert Suarez: three years, $45 million with the Atlanta Braves
While he’s been one of the more dominant closers in baseball over the last four seasons, Robert Suarez’s deal with the Braves will have him pitching in a setup role behind Raisel Iglesias. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves this last season and has the most in baseball over the last two years with 76.
Even though Suarez has accumulated more saves, Iglesias has had the better strikeout and walk rate over the last two seasons, with his strikeout rate sitting at 26.9% and walk rate at 5.5%. Compared to Suarez, who has a 25.4% strikeout rate and 6.1% walk rate. This is not to say that Suarez will not still have opportunities for saves or high-leverage roles, but dynasty owners should not bank on him as a closer for 2026.
José Berríos, Toronto Blue Jays
With the addition of Cease and Cody Ponce in free agency, the Blue Jays are looking to have a stacked rotation in 2026 and have their expectations set on going back to the World Series and winning this time around. But with the additions of Cease and Ponce alongside Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber, one of the other starters who already had a spot in the rotation may be on their way out.
And it’s not just any starter, it was the pitcher who had the biggest contract in Blue Jays franchise history before they inked Cease to his seven-year, $210 million deal: José Berríos. Berríos did not appear in the Blue Jays’ 2025 postseason run at all, as he pitched poorly over his final six outings of the year, pitching to a 6.75 ERA, allowing 30 hits and six home runs over 24 innings.
There are still many factors to play out for the Blue Jays’ rotation in spring training, and they will likely keep Berríos for rotation depth, but his bad performance in August and September has left question marks on his status as a starter next season.
