MLB Free Agency Predictions: Projecting Where Top 5 MLB Free Agents Land

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MLB Free Agency Predictions: Projecting Where Top 5 MLB Free Agents Land

MLB Free Agency Predictions: Projecting Where Top 5 MLB Free Agents Land — David Banks-Imagn Images

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Fri, Jan 9, 2026 ·

4 min read

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MLB free agency this offseason hasn't quite been as active as everyone expected. Many of the top international MLB free agents signed contracts with unexpected clubs for far less than many projected. Meanwhile, some of the best MLB free agents right now are still ranked right where they were when the offseason began.

The hope is that a new month and the approaching spring training creates action. Before that happens, we're delivering a new set of MLB free agency predictions for where the top five players will land.

Bo Bichette : Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Free Agency Predictions — John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

For months, it felt inevitable that Bo Bichette would return to the Toronto Blue Jays and spend the majority of his career in baseball playing alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Now, the door truly seems open to an exit. Bichette has popped on the radar for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs this month. Chicago is a team to watch here, given they just acquired a cost-controlled starter ( Edward Cabrera ) and have money to spend with Kyle Tucker headed elsewhere. However, this feels like one of those moments where Philadelphia strikes on one of the top MLB free agents whose market has been slow to develop. Our prediction: Alec Bohm is traded, and the Phillies announce the signing of Bichette shortly after.

Cody Bellinger : New York Yankees

The New York Yankees can't both sit out MLB free agency and let Cody Bellinger walk. It's been an abnormally quiet winter for the club, with New York not even getting in on the top international players who signed more reasonable deals than expected. It's time to re-sign Bellinger. He's proven to be a great fit in the clubhouse, manager Aaron Boone loves his positional versatility for the lineup and his production last season at Yankee Stadium (.302/.365/.544 with a .909 OPS) makes him a bat New York really can't afford to move on from. Otherwise, it would certainly seem as if the Yankees are fine with taking a step back in 2026 and extending their World Series drought to 17 seasons.

Ranger Suarez : New York Mets

It's odd to see how relatively quiet the New York Mets have been this offseason when it comes to upgrading their rotation. However, patience seems to be the right approach as both Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are still on the open market. Given the long-term contract demands of Valdez and some of the maturity concerns that linger around him, signing Suarez feels more likely. The 30-year-old's familiarity with pitching in the NL East, including a 2.77 ERA at Citi Field, paired with his ability to generate ground balls (52% ground ball rate) make him the ideal fit. When Mets spring training begins, Suarez will be with the club.

Alex Bregman : Boston Red Sox

Throughout our MLB free agency predictions this winter, the one we've been the most consistent with is Alex Bregman returning to the Boston Red Sox. Mutual interest between the two sides is strong and while there are other suitors involved—the Detroit Tigers , Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs—Boston has always been the overwhelming favorite. One of the top threats, Toronto, just took itself out of the mix for Bregman, and we suspect Chicago could be more focused on Bo Bichette. Plus, as reported by ESPN's Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers, Boston is very willing to offer Bregman the long-term deal he's looking for. By early February, the two sides will have worked out a deal that positions Bregman to end his career with the Red Sox.

Kyle Tucker: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are going to make another big splash in MLB free agency; it's just going to be Kyle Tucker instead of Bo Bichette. We do suspect the Los Angeles Dodgers would be a lot more willing to get involved if the All-Star outfielder were willing to take a short-term deal with a very high average annual value. Toronto, as it has demonstrated, is one of the few teams this winter willing to sign long-term deals. That will land Tucker in a Blue Jays' uniform, completing a very aggressive offseason that should really serve as the model for World Series contenders.

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