Updated 2025-26 Projections for Top Free Agent Hitters: Tucker, Bichette

The 2025 MLB winter meetings have completely changed the free-agent landscape. Massive new contracts for Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso sent a loud message: elite hitting gets paid, even if the glove isn’t gold.

Those deals set the bar for the next wave of star bats — Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, and Kyle Tucker. Now, their projected contracts show a league-wide move toward younger, well-rounded hitters with real offensive punch.

How Schwarber and Alonso Reset the Market for Power Bats

Before even talking about the next tier of free agents, you’ve got to look at the shockwave from Schwarber and Alonso at the winter meetings.

Five-Year Windfalls for Defense-Challenged Sluggers

Kyle Schwarber grabbed a five-year, $150 million contract. Pete Alonso topped him with five years at $155 million.

Both are classic modern sluggers: huge power, great on-base skills, and—let’s be honest—defensive struggles that would’ve hurt them in past eras. The fact that they still landed such giant deals shows how front-office thinking has changed.

Teams now seem willing to accept below-average defense if the bat can carry the lineup. These contracts also give agents a strong benchmark when representing more complete players who can do a bit of everything.

Bo Bichette: Youth, Upside, and a Shortstop Premium

Bo Bichette stands out among upcoming free-agent bats. Age and upside have never been more valuable.

A 28-Year-Old Shortstop with Star-Level Production

Bichette hits the market at just 28, the youngest of the premier hitters. Even after fighting through injuries in 2025, he put up a 3.8 fWAR — pretty impressive for a shortstop who brings contact, power, and the bonus of playing a premium position.

Projections put Bichette in line for a five-year, $150 million deal, right in the same neighborhood as recent shortstop contracts for Willy Adames and Carlos Correa. With Schwarber getting the same guarantee despite offering far less on defense, you can bet Bichette’s camp will say his age, position, and steady offense make him a steal at that price.

Alex Bregman: Track Record vs. Durability Concerns

Alex Bregman’s market looks more complicated, but his résumé is still one of the best among available infielders.

Gold Glove Defense and a History of High-Level Production

Bregman is 32, a bit older than Bichette, and he’s missed time with injuries. Still, his track record speaks for itself: proven middle-of-the-order bat, elite plate discipline, and a Gold Glove to his name.

Projections expect Bregman to land about five years and $170 million. That would put his annual salary above Marcus Semien’s $25 million AAV, a sign that teams still pay a premium for elite infield offense paired with championship-caliber defense at third base.

Cody Bellinger: Versatility and a Rebounding Star

No free agent has seen a wilder swing in value lately than Cody Bellinger. But in 2025, he reminded everyone why the industry still believes in his upside.

A 4.9 fWAR Season and Multi-Position Flexibility

Bellinger played a full 152-game season in 2025 and put up a strong 4.9 fWAR, re-establishing himself as a real impact player. He can move between first base and the outfield, giving his team roster flexibility most sluggers just don’t offer.

That resurgence pushed his new projection to six years, $180 million. These days, versatility matters more than ever, and Bellinger’s mix of power, athleticism, and positional flexibility makes him easily one of the most appealing non-Tucker options out there.

Kyle Tucker: The Crown Jewel of the Class

Schwarber and Alonso got the headlines, but Kyle Tucker is the true centerpiece of this free-agent group. He’s a franchise player in his prime.

An 11-Year Mega Deal for a Complete Superstar

Tucker worked through his own injuries in 2025 but still delivered a 4.5 fWAR season. It’s easy to see why front offices view him as a long-term cornerstone.

He brings more than just power:

His expected contract — a jaw-dropping 11-year, $418 million deal — matches the kind of money Juan Soto just got. Tucker’s mix of on-base skills, power, and athleticism puts him in that rare group with Soto and Mookie Betts as a true five-tool force.

A Weak 2026 Class Amplifies This Year’s Bats

Another thing pushing these projections higher? Next year’s hitting market looks pretty thin.

Limited Future Supply Elevates Present-Day Spending

The 2026 class is set to be led by Seiya Suzuki, George Springer, and Taylor Ward. They’re good players, but they don’t have the same age, upside, or total package as Tucker, Bichette, Bregman, or Bellinger.

With so few elite hitters expected next year, teams are getting aggressive now. They know they might not get another shot at an impact bat for a while. That scarcity makes bidding more intense and lets agents use deals like Schwarber’s and Alonso’s as baselines, not just ceilings.

What These Projections Reveal About Today’s MLB

The newest projections for this free-agent class paint a pretty clear picture of the current MLB economy. Teams are shelling out big bucks for younger, well-rounded hitters who know how to get on base and do damage at the plate.

They’re also tossing hefty contracts at elite bats, even if those players aren’t exactly winning Gold Gloves anytime soon. Guys like Schwarber, Alonso, Tucker, and Bichette show how much the market values hitters who can flip a game with one swing.

If you can make a difference in the batter’s box, there’s a huge contract waiting—defense just sort of decides the close calls now, instead of being the main thing teams want.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Updated projections for top free agent hitters: How recent deals impact Tucker, Bichette, more