MLB's 2027 Free-Agent Class Ranks 10th of 11 as Hitters Run Thin

MLB's 2027 free-agent class ranks 10th among 11 classes from the last decade, ahead of only 2017. The problem is a shortage of impact hitters: the top bats, Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki and Brandon Lowe, are all entering their age-32 seasons, and Bo Bichette and Jazz Chisholm Jr. had subpar years. Pitching keeps the class out of last place, led by Tarik Skubal along with Sonny Gray, Michael King, Freddy Peralta and Kevin Gausman. A likely lockout adds to the caution, and the class could be only the second in two decades without a nine-figure position-player deal.