13 hours Ago By Erik Beaston
Free agency is where contending teams add the pivotal pieces they believe will net them a World Series title. This offseason, Juan Soto will be the proverbial belle of the ball; the most coveted free agent available and teams will line up to offer him a monster deal. Where might the Yankees slugger end up and which other talented hitters available could see big-money contracts from both their current teams and potential new suitors? Find out with this preview.
Juan Soto's first season in New York saw him compile career-highs in hits (163), runs (126), home runs (41), and total bases (325). It was one of the best seasons of his seven-year career and one that will have contending teams with loads of money, and a need for a right fielder, looking to sign him. The incumbent Yankees are the most obvious fit based on what we have seen out of the one-two punch that he and Aaron Judge provided the team.
The Bronx Bombers regained the AL East title in 2024 and are one of the favorites to win the league pennant. The across-town Mets should also be considered players for Soto as they look to build on an extraordinary turnaround this season. Adding Soto's bat would give even more pop to an offense that can score runs early and often, while there is room for him in the outfield alongside Brandon Nimmo.
The questions surrounding the other notable outfielder, Starling Marte, and the knee injury that both sidelined him and slowed him down in the outfield upon his return only enhance the benefit of Soto. The San Francisco Giants have been marred in mediocrity since their last World Series victory in 2014 and adding Soto would not only convince the fans that the team is all-in on winning but also give that squad the face of the franchise that it needs and the star it can build around. The Philadelphia Phillies are almost always players when it comes to a big-time free agent and Soto's bat in that lineup would only further establish the NL East champs' offense as the most explosive in the game.
At just 26 years old and already reaching free agency, Soto will be in play for nearly every team in baseball with enough cash to get the deal done. He is a generational player who has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting four times in his seven seasons and is a four-time silver slugger. Contenders will champ at the bit to add him to their roster but ultimately, it feels like a contest that comes down to two organizations, both of which call the Big Apple home.
The Yankees want him back, Soto would like to go back, but could Hank Steinbrenner be outbid by Steve Cohen and the Mets, who are looking to take that step back into World Series contention? Prediction: Soto takes the 7 line, and a near-record deal, across town to the Mets Anthony Santander has spent his entire eight-year career in Baltimore, where he has developed into one of the game's best power hitters and, in a contract year, put up several career bests. His 44 home runs rank third in all of baseball behind Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. He accounted for 101 RBI, six more than his previous high, and 138 hits, tied for his second-most.
He accumulated a slash line of .235/.308/.
510. His contributions to the Orioles over the last two seasons as they have rebuilt from doormat to contender, are immeasurable. Still, with a pipeline of young players looking to make an impact for the organization, it is highly likely that the right-fielder heads elsewhere this offseason.
The Washington Nationals are a young team that could utilize Santander's explosiveness at the plate and veteran leadership in the locker room. The St. Louis Cardinals finished 22nd in baseball with just 163 home runs and would benefit from having Tony Taters' bat in their lineup.
The Phillies are an intriguing option in that they have power bats, which a team can never have enough of, but could use him as an upgrade in the outfield, even if it means switching to left field as Nick Castellanos already has the right side on lockdown. Prediction: Santander heads north and signs with Philly as the NL East champs get (talent) richer Alex Bregman hit his most home runs since 2019 this season, drove in 74 RBI, and amassed a slash line of .256/.
313/.447 in what could be his final season with the Houston Astros. The two-time World Series champion is still one of the most talented and productive third basemen in the game and has received MVP votes in 2022 and '23.
There is the likelihood that the Astros make a play to keep him, though not before Bregman tests free agency and finds out what his value is and how many teams are willing to match it. Divisional foes Seattle and Arizona have seen what he can do and, with all due respect to Eugenio Suárez and Josh Rojas, Bregman is an upgrade at the five spot. Toronto and Milwaukee can also benefit from having a player the caliber of Bregman at third, which means the former world champ will likely have a market brimming with potential suitors.
Still, it is difficult to imagine the career-long Astro in a jersey other than that of Houston. Prediction: Bregman stays put.
