MLB Free Agency Prediction Round-Up: Juan Soto returns to Yankees, Corbin Burnes heads to Red Sox, Dodgers eye Roki Sasaki and more
The 2024-25 MLB free agent class is loaded with talent, most of which has not yet been signed to any team. Baseball has an infamously slow offseason, and it could be a while until the big names ink new deals. With that in mind, here's our prediction on where the best players will land in 2025.
MLB Free Agent Predictions for 2025
Juan Soto
Juan Soto is the biggest name on the free-agent market. His biggest suitors, the New York Yankees and New York Mets, play in the biggest media market. The Mets are unlikely to be outbid for Soto, but it may not matter. The Yankees don't necessarily have to be the top bidder because they already have a good relationship with Soto.
Prediction: Yankees sign Soto for 13 years, $650 million
Corbin Burnes
Corbin Burnes is the top free-agent pitcher on the market this year. After a great stint with the Baltimore Orioles, he's going to have a plethora of suitors. This likely includes three AL East teams and plenty of others. One of those teams desperately needs an ace, and they have the money to spend on a player of Burnes' caliber.
Prediction: Red Sox nab Burnes for seven years, $190 million
Willy Adames
Willy Adames is the top shortstop in an otherwise small SS class this year. He should get a lot of attention, and his price could rise. The San Francisco Giants have tried and failed at every big free agent in recent years, but they finally break through with Adames.
Prediction: Adames signs with Giants on an eight-year, $225 million deal
Roki Sasaki
Perhaps the most intriguing free agent, Roki Sasaki, does not have financial limitations. Unlike Yoshinobu Yamamoto last year, there won't be a bidding war for his services. Every team can afford him. That means the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have spent an obscene amount recently, won't suffer much for adding another high-end arm.
Prediction: Dodgers sign Sasaki for four years, $28 million
Christian Walker
Christian Walker is the best first baseman available this year. He's a Gold Glove-caliber fielder with a good bat. While the Yankees might have a lot of money tied up in other free agents, it's hard to ignore how good of a fit he'd be. His lefty bat would play well in Yankee Stadium and there's no true first baseman on the roster right now.
Prediction: Yankees land Walker for three years, $58 million
Blake Snell
Blake Snell is a former Cy Young winner who bounced back from a dreadful start to pitch well down the stretch. He should be in high demand this offseason, perhaps unlike last year. He could stay in the same division he pitched in in 2024 but with a new team.
Prediction: Padres land Snell on a three-year, $98 million deal
Anthony Santander
Anthony Santander is a power-hitting corner outfielder without quality defense. He is similar to Juan Soto in that regard, so teams that miss out on Soto might call Santander up. If the Mets miss out, expect them to be aggressive for Santander instead.
Prediction: Mets ink Santander to a four-year, $108 million deal
Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman should be in high demand. He's the best third baseman on the market, a proven playoff performer, and a good hitter. Any team interested in a third baseman will likely see him, but one team needs him way more than most: the Seattle Mariners.
Prediction: Bregman lands with Mariners on a five-year, $160 million deal