The 2025–26 MLB offseason was supposed to deliver fireworks. Instead, it’s been a long, awkward pause, with front offices showing unusual restraint and several high-profile players still searching for contracts.
Teams keep weighing short-term competitiveness against long-term payroll flexibility. The free-agent market has slowed to a crawl, leaving even elite names in limbo.
The Big Names Still Waiting
The caliber of talent still unsigned jumps out right away. In a typical winter, players like these would’ve been snapped up fast.
This year, clubs are hesitating. They’re wary of nine-figure commitments and future payroll logjams.
Why teams are holding back
Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette all remain on the market. That’s almost unthinkable compared to previous offseasons.
Executives seem to be pacing themselves, with an eye already on the next class of free agents—especially ace lefty Tarik Skubal. The result? A suppressed market where even top-tier players can’t spark bidding wars.
Pitching Depth Still Has Value
While the elite names wait, teams still need innings. Expanded bullpens and cautious workloads have become the norm, so certain veterans remain relevant despite age or limitations.
Bassitt, Scherzer and Verlander
Aaron Bassitt, now 37, is a logical target for clubs searching for reliable rotation depth. Teams like the Rangers, Athletics, Angels, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Phillies, Orioles, and Pirates could all use his durability.
His pronounced platoon split against left-handed hitters does narrow the field. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are expected to look for one-year deals.
Both are in their early 40s and still offer upside as short-burst postseason starters, but health concerns hover over any deal. Contenders might see them more as luxury additions than rotation anchors.
A Surprising Catching Market
One of the more puzzling developments? The lack of movement behind the plate, where proven production is usually hard to find.
Realmuto’s uncertain future
J.T. Realmuto is still unsigned, leaving the Phillies with one of baseball’s weakest projected catching groups. If Philadelphia balks at his price, smaller-market clubs like the Pirates, Marlins, and Rays could get involved.
For those teams, Realmuto means a rare shot at leadership and offense at a premium position.
Position Players with Narrow Fits
Several hitters on the market bring specific strengths—and just as specific limitations. Roster fit is crucial for these guys.
Defense, contact and declining power
Jackie Bradley Jr.’s breakout 2025 season at age 31 is widely seen as an outlier. Still, his elite defense and speed matter, especially for teams needing center-field depth like the Angels, Reds, Mets, Athletics, Royals, and Guardians.
Luis Arraez remains one of baseball’s best pure contact hitters. His lack of power, walks, and baserunning limits him, though, so he fits best with clubs seeking cost-controlled offense at first base or DH—think Rockies, Rangers, White Sox, or Padres.
Marcell Ozuna has seen a sharp decline in 2025. He’s pretty much a DH-only option now, which narrows his market to teams like the Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, and White Sox. San Francisco’s payroll flexibility makes them a particularly intriguing possibility.
Relievers Move Faster Than the Rest
Unlike starters and position players, the relief market has mostly sorted itself out already.
One late-inning arm still available
Most top relievers have signed. Adbert Alzolay Dominguez stands out as the lone notable holdout.
He could become a late-inning target for teams like the Nationals as spring training creeps closer.
A Market Defined by Caution
This offseason really shows how cautious teams have become. They’re scrambling to fill holes—chasing innings, experience, and a bit of bench help.
Still, nobody wants to tie their own hands down the road. That tug-of-war is shaping everything right now.
Honestly, unless something gives, the 2025–26 MLB free-agent market could stay slow, careful, and just plain unpredictable.
Here is the source article for this story: From future HOF pitchers to a veteran catcher: Best fits for under-the-radar MLB free agents
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