It’s going to be a strange offseason across MLB, with a lockout fully expected and a generally underwhelming crop of free agents available.
A typical offseason will see the first two weeks of December as the busiest stretch of movement, with some key free agents and trade talks trickling into January. That won’t be the case this winter.
Even in a best-case scenario, a lockout is going to start on the night of Dec. 1. Five years ago, when a stellar free-agent class hit the market, that meant a flurry of action in the final days of November, followed by another flurry of action when the lockout ended in mid-March. No transactions are possible during a lockout.
When the impending lockout ends is anyone’s guess, but the probability of a labor dispute means November could be busier for front offices than is typically is.
Here are the top 16 free agents to know this offseason, from Tarik Skubal to Ty France.
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16. Ty France, 1BAge: 322026 stats: 133 G, .295 AVG, 21 HR, 72 RBI, .865 OPS
France was mostly an afterthought in San Diego after splitting the last two seasons between four teams, but he turned in a remarkable season by nearly hitting .300 and posting an .865 OPS across 133 games. France isn’t going to get paid the equivalent of those numbers, given he was struggling to stay in the majors just a year ago, but he’s in line for a bit of a payday after an undeniably strong year.
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15. Luis Arraez, 2BAge: 292026 stats: 151 G, .310 AVG, 6 HR, 64 RBI, .765 OPS
Arraez had to settle for a one-year deal in San Francisco last offseason but started strong with the Giants, playing solid defense at second base and hitting .324 with an .801 OPS. Arraez was less impressive after a trade to the Phillies, carrying a .678 OPS across 46 games. There is a ceiling to what Arraez can make on the open market, but he figures to seek a multi-year deal this time around.
14. Jake Bauers, 1BAge on Opening Day: 312026 stats: 144 G, .266 AVG, 26 HR, 86 RBI, .874 OPS
Bauers was undoubtedly one of the most productive pending free agents this season, posting an .874 OPS with impressive on-base ability and 26 home runs. In the postseason, Bauers only added to his value with a pair of excellent at-bats against the Dodgers that changed the complexion of the series. While teams may be wary of his ability to sustain this, Bauers is in line for the biggest payday of his career this offseason.
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13. Trevor Rogers, SPAge on Opening Day: 292026 stats: 169.2 IP, 4.03 ERA, 3.45 WHIP, 157 K
Rogers will be a fascinating free-agent case, as he alternated between horrendous and dominant before finding a healthy middle ground in 2026. A major surprise with a 1.81 ERA across 18 starts in 2025, Rogers had a middling 4.03 ERA in 2026 but boasted solid underlying numbers, including a 3.45 FIP and the lowest walk rate of his career. That should be enough to intrigue teams who miss out on the market’s top starters.
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12. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2BAge on Opening Day: 292026 stats: 137 G, .231 AVG, 19 HR, 55 RBI, .711 OPS
Chisholm had a season to forget in 2026, struggling to hit for contact and not nearly hitting for enough power to make up for it. While there were some positive moments later in the year, Chisholm’s value largely comes from what he was before 2026. The second baseman is never going to be a high-contact bat, but he hit 31 home runs in 2025 and has twice posted an OPS+ north of 120. It’ll be worth watching whether Chisholm settles for a prove-it deal or seeks a multi-year deal.
May 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Ryan Jeffers (27) celebrates his solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
11. Ryan Jeffers, CAge on Opening Day: 292026 stats: 92 G, .256 AVG, 14 HR, 56 RBI, .814 OPS
An injury prevented Jeffers from maximizing his value in 2026, but he turned in a strong year for a catcher with an .814 OPS and nearly a 3-WAR season across only 92 games. Jeffers offers value both offensively and defensively at a critical position, so the biggest knock on him might just be that he’s only reached 100 games twice.
10. David Bednar, CLAge on Opening Day: 322026 stats: 69.1 IP, 2.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 76 K, 35 SV
For teams seeking a closer, Bednar is the top option this offseason. The Yankees right-hander turned in another strong season in 2026, notching 35 saves with a 2.47 ERA, and his only real blemish since 2021 was a portion of the 2024 season in Pittsburgh. A return to New York probably makes the most sense for both sides, but Bednar will have plenty of leverage.
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9. Adrian Morejon, RPAge on Opening Day: 282026 stats: 86.0 IP, 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 107 K
Morejon’s 2.83 ERA in 2026 doesn’t jump off the page, but he has a case to be the best reliever on the market. The underlying numbers were much better for Morejon this season, as he had a 2.37 FIP and 11.2 strikeout-per-nine rate. Morejon’s ability to be a multi-inning weapon and fit into any role out of the bullpen will also make him a valuable piece on the open market.
8. Teruaki Sato, 3BAge on Opening Day: 282026 stats: 143 G, .306 AVG, 39 HR, 106 RBI, .991 OPS
The top international free agent this offseason is Hanshin Tigers 3B Teruaki Sato, who found a way to break through in an offense-starved league in Japan to hit 79 home runs over the last two seasons. Sato isn’t immune to strikeouts and may be a better fit in the outfield than at third base, but his power and relative youth will make him a sought-after asset.
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7. Sonny Gray, SPAge on Opening Day: 372026 stats: 169.0 IP, 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 149 K
Gray isn’t going to last forever, but he squashed the idea that he was a declining asset with a terrific season in Boston. The veteran posted a 2.72 ERA and allowed only 16 home runs across 29 starts, even with a reduced strikeout rate. Gray has a mutual option for 2027, but he is expected to hit the open market and land a multi-year deal that could very well take him through the end of his career.
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6. Seiya Suzuki, OFAge on Opening Day: 322026 stats: 143 G, .270 AVG, 26 HR, 86 RBI, .841 OPS
It’s tough to find a more consistent hitter than Suzuki, who has had an OPS north of .800 and an OPS+ between 125-140 in each of the last four seasons. The Cubs outfielder posted a career-high WAR in 2026 and is a reliable 20-30 home run hitter. Any team will gladly take that at the right price.
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5. Freddy Peralta, SPAge on Opening Day: 302026 stats: 169.0 IP, 4.42 ERA, 156 K, 1.33 WHIP
The Rays rescued Peralta’s chances of landing a major contract this offseason, as the former Brewers ace went from fourth in Cy Young voting to a liability with the Mets during the first half of the season. After a rocky start to his time in Tampa Bay, Peralta earned AL Pitcher of the Month honors in September and has looked every bit like a front-of-the-rotation arm in the postseason. Plenty of teams figure to be in on Peralta this winter.
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4. Brandon Lowe, 2BAge on Opening Day: 322026 stats: 150 G, .260 AVG, 35 HR, 96 RBI, .824 OPS
Lowe’s injury history and unimpressive defensive track record would’ve been an issue had he hit free agency a year ago, but he put both of those concerns on the backburner after being traded to the Pirates. Not only did Lowe stay fully healthy, but he had the best defensive season of his career at second base and hit .260 with 35 home runs for his best offensive campaign since 2021. At a position with limited power, Lowe should be in high demand.
3. Michael King, SPAge on Opening Day: 312026 stats: 185.0 IP, 3.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 159 K
King is able to opt-out this offseason and certainly will after a resurgent season. The Padres ace missed more than half of 2025 but was a stabilizing force for an otherwise shaky San Diego rotation, posting a 3.21 ERA across a full 32 starts. While a reduced strikeout rate could raise alarm for suitors, King looked every bit like an ace in the postseason with one earned run allowed and 15 strikeouts over 14 innings to solidify his status as one of the top players on the market.
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2. Randy Arozarena, OFAge on Opening Day: 322026 stats: 154 G, .281 AVG, 26 HR, 79 RBI, .865 OPS
Arozarena had the best season of his career at the right time (Seattle’s struggles aside), as he posted an .865 OPS and 148 OPS+ in the final year of his contract. The former Rays standout isn’t going to be a 35-home run type of hitter, but his combination of solid power and contact skills make him the best all-around position player in this free-agent class and should get him paid handsomely.
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1. Tarik Skubal, SPAge on Opening Day: 302026 stats: 158.2 IP, 2.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 186 K
The Dodgers have made a habit of signing the top free agent on the market, so the good news for every other fan base is that doing so this winter wouldn’t actually mean adding a new star. Skubal, who won two Cy Young Awards with the Tigers before being traded to the Dodgers in August, is far and away the top player available after posting a 2.72 ERA across 26 starts in 2026 and overcoming a brief elbow scare. Even as he approaches his 30th birthday, Skubal will command a deal that only a few teams — including the Dodgers — will be willing to offer.