We’re a little more than a week removed from the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays to win their second consecutive World Series, still processing one of the greatest finishes in the history of sports.
Along with the Dodgers and Blue Jays, there are 28 other MLB teams trying to put together a roster that lands them in the Fall Classic. As is always the case, the MLB hot stove comes with a lot of high-profile moves, and this will be no different with superstars like Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker looking to land huge paydays with the most willing teams.
In the days leading up to free agency, a few key players decided to either decline or opt out of their player/team option, leaving them open to test the market: Pete Alonso & Edwin Diaz (New York Mets), Cody Bellinger (New York Yankees), Alex Bregman & Lucas Giolito (Boston Red Sox), Brandon Woodruff (Milwaukee Brewers), and Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs).
Below, we’ll answer some of the questions you may have about MLB free agency, as well as tell you where some of these guys might be heading.
When Does MLB Free Agency Begin?
Free agency officially began on Thursday, Nov. 6. Eligible players are now free to sign with an MLB team of their choosing.
When are the MLB GM Meetings?
The MLB GM meetings take place in Las Vegas, NV, from Monday, Nov. 10 to Thursday, Nov. 13. This is widely known as the unofficial launchpad for offseason happenings, and an appetizer to the main entrée of the MLB Winter Meetings, where the trade discussions typically come to fruition since all 30 GMs are under the same roof.
Where are the Top MLB Free Agents Heading?
Kyle Schwarber: Possibly the most coveted of the bunch, Schwarber finished as MLB’s runner-up for HR King with 56 last season. Schwarbs isn’t getting any younger, but the Phillies still appear to be the front-runner here, with a talented roster and World Series aspirations worth paying for. Big-market teams like the Cubs, Red Sox, and Yankees will certainly put offers forth, and Schwarber’s hometown Reds have been very interested in him for a while.
Kyle Tucker: It seems likely that Tucker lands with his third different team in as many seasons, but something was clearly off with this guy for long stretches. The Dodgers and Yankees both make sense because of the money they can offer Tucker, and teams like the Giants, Red Sox, and maybe even his hometown Rays could check in.
Alex Bregman: It looks like two NL East teams, the Mets and Phillies, could be in on Bregman more than any others. The Mets are looking to completely rebuild their roster after yet another late-season collapse, while the Phillies could be moving on from Alec Bohm.
Where are Players like Pete Alonso & Cody Bellinger Going?
Pete Alonso: No matter what, the Polar Bear is going to get paid by someone this offseason. In 2025, Alonso hit for his highest average (.272) and now has at least 118 RBI in three of his last four seasons. The Red Sox certainly make the most sense, considering his wife’s family is from MA, and the team needs a prolific 1B option. Depending on what happens with the top-tier free agents, we could see a couple of the Mets’ rivals, the Phillies or Yankees, swoop in for quite a haul on Alonso.
Will Tarik Skubal Get Traded by the Tigers?
There will certainly be a heavy bidding war for Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher Tarik Skubal. The dazzling lefty has been MLB’s best pitcher for about two seasons now, and he will be entering free agency following the 2026 season. We can almost guarantee Skubal would command an insane amount of money at that point, so the Tigers will want to see what they can get from interested teams to retool their roster.
Without a doubt, high-profile teams like the Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, and Yankees will all check in on Skubal. A move like this could turn one of these contenders into a series favorite in the blink of an eye. The question is, how much are these teams willing to give up?
Don’t be surprised if this saga lasts into the regular season, as a move for Skubal at the deadline is almost certain to bring in the best possible return on prospects. If a team like the Dodgers or Yankees is in dire need of pitching, you can expect the returns to be jaw-dropping at that point.
What Other Pitching Options are Available This Offseason?
If teams aren’t able to land Skubal via trade, some pitchers under contract are rumored to be traded this offseason. There are some lesser, still quality, trades that teams can attempt for guys with contracts expiring at the end of next season, like Mackenzie Gore (Washington Nationals), Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee Brewers), Joe Ryan & Pablo Lopez (Minnesota Twins), and Sonny Gray (St. Louis Cardinals).
Guys like Framber Valdez (Houston Astros), Ranger Suarez (Philadelphia Phillies), Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs), and even Edwin Diaz (New York Mets) are eligible to be signed as free agents.
