This year's MLB free-agent class will be highlighted by Kyle Tucker, who is expected to become the third-highest-paid player in baseball history behind Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani. The Padres' premier starting pitchers, Michael King and Dylan Cease, along with their formidable closer, Robert Suarez, likely will be prominent figures in the pitching market. Several stars with opt-out clauses, including Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, are also expected to enter free agency to pursue more lucrative, longer-term offers.
As we near this season's two-month mark, let's look at the top 50 potential free agents for the 2025-26 offseason.
This list will change between now and the start of free agency in November. Performance and health the rest of the way will be key. Some of these players will come off the board if they decide not to opt out of their contracts. (Others, whom we've noted separately below, will have their club options exercised.) Some could sign contract extensions. Some could decide to retire. In addition, more international players will join the eventual class.
Here is my early ranking of the top 50 potential free agents, broken down by top position players, starting pitchers and closers.
Note: Career WAR, 2025 OPS+ and 2025 ERA+ are according to Baseball Reference as of May 20. Player ages are as of May 20.
Age: 28
Bats: L Throws: R
OPS+: 148
Career WAR: 24.4
Tucker has led the Cubs to a first-place start in the NL Central and is considered a top-five MVP candidate in the league. He is again on pace to hit close to 30 homers and steal close to 30 bases. The three-time All-Star, one-time Gold Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger looks like he'll have an opportunity to hit that trifecta in his free-agent walk year. Following Juan Soto's record-setting $765 million deal in free agency and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million extension, Tucker is expected to land a nine-figure contract that starts with a 6. Several big-market teams, including the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers, should be in play for him.
Age: 31
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 165
Career WAR: 42.5
Last offseason in free agency, Bregman made it clear that if he didn't return to the Astros, he wanted to sign with the Red Sox -- and he did, turning down more years and dollars from the Tigers in the process. He quickly became the team leader in Boston and is having his best offensive season in years with a .386 on-base percentage, 11 homers and 17 doubles. Bregman, who is making $40 million this year and signed for two more years at that rate, will likely opt out of his deal. His free-agent market should be even more robust than last offseason with the Red Sox joined by the Yankees, Tigers, Astros, Phillies and even the Dodgers; he would be an upgrade for all of them at the hot corner.
Age: 30
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 174
WAR: 21.8
Alonso entered Tuesday ranked fourth in MLB with a .965 OPS. He likely will opt out and get the long-term contract he sought last offseason before returning to the Mets on a two-year, $54 million deal. If he doesn't stay in New York, Alonso would be a fit with several teams including the Phillies (Bryce Harper would seem willing to move back to the outfield for him), Cubs (they would have to be interested if they lose out on Tucker), Rangers and Mariners (both would benefit from his power bat and leadership, as would the Red Sox, particularly if they keep Rafael Devers at DH).
Age: 32
Bats: L Throws: R
OPS+: 164
Career WAR: 17.0
Schwarber is arguably the best teammate in the game, reaches base at a 39 percent clip and is always in the hunt for the home run crown. He's a player most teams will covet if they have an opening or flexibility at the DH spot. The Phillies want to retain Schwarber and are prepared to give him a long-term contract at the appropriate time. However, several other teams would love to have him, including the Braves (if they lose Marcell Ozuna in free agency), Reds (who could use his power and leadership), Padres (he'd be a great fit in their clubhouse) and AL Central teams like the Tigers, Royals and Guardians who all need more power.
Age: 27
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 119
Career WAR: 18.5
Bichette was so consistent from 2021 to 2023, hitting 20 homers or more each year and leading the American League in hits twice. His OPS+ ranged from 121 to 128 in those seasons. Bichette had a subpar 2024 during which he battled injuries, but he has been better this year, hitting .286 with four homers and a 119 OPS+, which matches his career mark. He'll need to pick it up some and get back to his 2021-23 form if he wants to get paid at that value, which is probably close to the six-year, $171 million offer that Bregman received from the Tigers last offseason. Bichette might have to be willing to move to third base for certain interested teams like the Tigers, Yankees or Dodgers, but he should have a strong market if he plays at his accustomed level this season.
Age: 29
Bats: L Throws: L
OPS+: 123
Career WAR: 26.4
It's hard to know how Bellinger will perform from year to year. In 2019, he won the NL MVP Award with the Dodgers after hitting .305 with 47 home runs and 15 steals. In 2022, he batted .210 with 19 homers. In 2023, after being traded to the Cubs, he hit .307 with 26 home runs. In 2024, he hit .266 with 18 homers and was traded to the Yankees in the offseason.
We didn't know how Bellinger would do changing leagues and how he'd handle New York. The Yankees certainly hoped the small right-field confines at Yankee Stadium would help get his power back to at least the 25-30 homer range. The early returns have been mixed as Bellinger is batting .258 with seven homers, four steals and a 123 OPS+. His above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base helps his value, but he needs to be more consistent at the plate to land a long-term contract.
Age: 25
Bats: L Throws: R
There are reports out of Japan that Murakami is playing his final season for Yakult and planning to move to MLB in 2026. Known for his prodigious power, the left-handed hitting corner infielder/outfielder has amassed 242 homers and 671 RBIs over his eight-season foreign career. He won a Triple Crown and holds the single-season Nippon Professional Baseball record for home runs (56) among Japanese-born players, which he set in 2022. He has hit at least 30 homers in five straight seasons and in six of the past seven years. His career slash line is .273/.395/.544.
Murakami profiles as a .240 to .260 type hitter in MLB with legitimate 30-home run power. Defensively, he's below average at third base and adequate at first base. He's also played some left field this season for the first time in his career. Teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers (if they're OK with him at third base), Mariners, Rangers and Padres should be interested in Murakami if he becomes a free agent.
Age: 28
Bats: L Throws: L
OPS+: 168
Career WAR: 12.3
Is Grisham having a breakout season or is this just a fast start? His defensive ability is well-established as he won two Gold Glove awards with the Padres. But with a career slash line of .217/.317/.396 and a career-high 17 homers in 2022, it's hard to believe how good he's been this year. Grisham has slashed .274/.371/.589 with 12 homers and 22 RBIs in 143 plate appearances. Can he do this for the rest of the season? If so, he'll fare quite well in free agency. It's hard to believe he has a better batting average and more homers than ex-Yankee Juan Soto at this point in the season.
Age: 34
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 148
Career WAR: 29.2
Ozuna has been one of the best DHs in baseball, belting 40 and 39 homers the past two seasons while reaching base at a .361 clip. However, he'll turn 35 in November and his days with long-term contracts are likely over. That doesn't mean he won't land a two-year deal this winter, and he shouldn't have to take a pay cut from his $16 million salary if he continues to rake. Ronald Acuña Jr. should return to the Braves' lineup soon and opponents will have to start pitching to Ozuna more. He currently has a .416 on-base percentage, thanks to a majors-leading 40 walks; Ozuna is no longer chasing and opposing pitchers are being really careful with him.
Age: 27
Bats: L Throws: L
OPS+: 127
Career WAR: 6.0
Naylor had a career-high 31 homers and 108 RBIs last season with the Guardians before he was dealt to the Diamondbacks in the offseason. He is off to a solid start this season with a slash line of .296/.363/.447, but only five long balls, which is more in line with his home run production in 2022 (20) and 2023 (17). He is a below-average defender at first base but brings energy to the infield. He'll reach free agency at only 28 years old, which will work in his favor. The Mariners, Rangers and Diamondbacks should be among the teams in the mix for his services in the offseason.
Age: 31
Bats: B Throws: R
OPS+: 185
Career WAR: 19.4
Polanco's left knee is finally healthy and he has been raking this season, batting .306 with 10 bombs and a 185 OPS+. His ability to play first, second, third as well as DH enhances his value. A switch hitter, he should have plenty of interested teams in free agency because of his versatility and production. He is making $7.75 million this year and has a vesting mutual option for 2026 based on this season's plate appearances, but expect him to become a free agent if he stays injury free and reaches 450 plate appearances.
Age: 28
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 131
Career WAR: 16.8
Torres was a great signing by the Tigers, who inked him to a one-year, $15 million deal in December. He has hit close to .300 all season with five homers and four steals and a 131 OPS+. He has also brought World Series experience to the Detroit clubhouse. He's a below-average defender at second, but his offense makes up for it.
Age: 33
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 123
Career WAR: 24.0
Suárez has hit 30 homers or more in three of the past four years and already has 14 this season. He has also led his league in strikeouts in three seasons, which will always be part of his game. His 123 OPS+ tells the story offensively but he's also a well-below-average defender at third base and arguably should be a full-time DH now. Rookie Jordan Lawlar is likely the Diamondbacks' long-term answer at third base, so if Suárez doesn't want to become a full-time DH, he might have to change teams in the offseason.
Age: 34
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 94
Career WAR: 36.8
Realmuto has started to show his age, but it hasn't been a precipitous decline. His home runs have dipped from 22 to 20 to 14 over the past three years, and this season, he has only four. He has kept his batting average and on-base percentage in the same neighborhood during that period but he's no longer a Gold Glover, an award he won in 2019 and 2023, and the three-time All-Star has probably played in his last midsummer classic. He remains a strong game caller who can stop the running game with elite pop time and above-average caught stealing numbers, although he doesn't grade out well in framing. A veteran catcher with his resume will have starting jobs waiting for him in free agency.
Age: 30
Bats: L Throws: L
OPS+: 131
Career WAR: 16.0
Mullins is finally in his walk year, and the Orioles have their future center fielder, prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr., in position to take over the position as soon as next year. With the Orioles in last place and not looking like they have the pitching to contend, Mullins could get traded between now and the July 31 deadline. He is hitting only .230 but has reached base at about a 33 percent clip with 10 homers, seven steals and a 126 OPS+. He ranks in the 79th percentile in outs above average, which measures defensive range, and in the 82nd percentile in sprint speed.
Age: 28
Bats: L Throws: R
OPS+: 109
Career WAR: 15.2
Arraez has won three consecutive batting titles with three different teams (Twins, Marlins, Padres) and owns a career slash line of .321/.369/.418. He's a below-average defender at first and second base and has limited power and slug. He had a 107 OPS+ last season and is right around there again. Arraez's value is as a table-setter but he needs sluggers hitting behind him to maximize his on-base talent, which is why he's been such a great fit with San Diego.
Age: 37
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 149
Career WAR: 63.8
Goldschmidt is proving this season at 37 that he's not done. He just needs an occasional rest to stay sharp. He has slashed .339/.392/.486 with five homers, 11 doubles and three steals. He's at an age where he's probably going to have to sign one-year contracts, like he did this time with the Yankees ($12.5 million deal). But he's still a plus defender who can hit, run the bases and provide quiet leadership. It's unlikely he returns to the Yankees in 2026 due to the emergence of Ben Rice, who would appear to be their long-term solution at first base starting next year.
Age: 29
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 76
Career WAR: 12.8
Given his extensive injury history, I don't expect O'Neill to opt out of a contract that will have two years and $33 million remaining. However, you never know how these types of deals will play out. O'Neill is currently sidelined with a left shoulder impingement, his second stint on the IL this season. He has played 115 games or more in a season just once (2021) in his career. But, when healthy, he has impressive power, blasting 31 homers for Boston last season and 34 for St. Louis in 2021. He's also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner (2020-21).
Age: 31
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 81
Career WAR: 12.2
Gurriel offers inconsistent production, but he brings energy and enthusiasm to the park every day. He has hit 20 or more home runs in a season three times in his eight-year career. Last season, he batted .279 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs. This season, he is hitting only .224 with a .268 on-base percentage but does have eight home runs. He needs to pick it up if he wants to land a multiyear contract in the offseason.
Age: 32
Bats: R Throws: R
OPS+: 138
Career WAR: 12.2
Hoskins has settled in nicely in Milwaukee and it will be a close call for both sides on whether to exercise his $18 million mutual option for 2026. He has slashed .297/.402/.483 (138 OPS+) this season with six homers and 26 RBIs. Hoskins has averaged 34 homers, 99 RBIs and 122 OPS+ per 162 games over his eight-year career.
(Note: Mets starter Kodai Senga can opt out if he reaches 400 career innings by the end of the season. He currently has 222 career innings, making him 178 innings short. For that reason, he is not included in this list.)
Age: 29
IP: 55 2/3 SO: 64
ERA+: 156
Career WAR: 10.9
King has vaulted to the top of these starting pitcher rankings simply by outperforming the field. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the past four seasons, including last year, when he went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA over 31 appearances (30 starts). This season, he has a 2.59 ERA over 10 starts with 64 strikeouts and 17 walks. That he has only 477 major-league innings on his pitching odometer also increases his value. He has a $15 mutual option for 2026 that's expected to be bought out for $3.75 million.
Age: 29
IP: 54 SO: 64
ERA+: 88
Career WAR: 15.7
Cease has struck out 214 or more batters in each of the past four seasons, including 224 last year when he went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA in 33 starts. He has led his league in games started in three of the past four years, making at least 32 starts in all four seasons. His durability and bat-missing ability stand out. Cease finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting with the White Sox in 2022 and fourth in the NL voting last year with San Diego.
He has a 4.50 ERA this season, which would be one of his highest marks since his rookie year. Still, the only real drawback is his walks; he's averaged between three and four per nine innings in each of the past five years.
Age: 29
IP: 56 SO: 59
ERA+: 81
Career WAR: 20.3
Gallen is 56-42 with a 3.41 ERA over 153 starts in his seven-year career. He has averaged nearly 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings over the past four years. However, his walk rate per nine has steadily increased over the past three, going from 2.0 to 3.3 to 4.1, which is somewhat concerning. He started the All-Star Game for the NL in 2023 and went on to finish third in the Cy Young Award voting. He is 3-5 with a 5.14 ERA over 10 starts this season and will have to pick it up to land a top contract.
Age: 31
IP: 63 SO: 59
ERA+: 112
Career WAR: 16.2
A big-game pitcher, Valdez has one of the best ground-ball rates in baseball (62 percent career mark) and ranks in the 92nd percentile this season. He's off to a slow start this year, posting a 3.57 ERA over 10 starts. The two-time All-Star is 71-45 with a 3.32 ERA over 167 games.
Age: 35
IP: 56 2/3 SO: 42
ERA+: 137
Career WAR: 17.4
Lugo spent most of his career as a reliever until 2023, when the Padres converted him to a starter. That year he went 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA over 26 starts before signing in free agency with the Royals. He proved it wasn't a fluke as he made a league-leading 33 starts in 2024, going 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA. He won a Gold Glove Award, made his first All-Star team and finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting. He has a 3.02 ERA this season over nine starts. If all goes well, he'd decline his $15 million player option for 2026 and re-enter free agency.
Age: 29
IP: 17 2/3 SO: 17
ERA+: 83
Career WAR: 13.6
Suárez had a career-best season in 2024, going 12-8 with a 3.46 ERA, 145 strikeouts in 150 2/3 innings and his first All-Star nod. However, he had a 5.65 ERA in the second half and wore down as the season progressed. He started this year on the IL with a lower back injury and has made only three starts since returning. Suárez already has an impressive postseason resume -- 3-1 with a 1.43 ERA over eight starts and two relief appearances. If he can replicate his early 2024 season, he'll be in a strong position in free agency with so many teams in need of left-handed starters.
Age: 29
IP: 46 2/3 SO: 56
ERA+: 90
Career WAR: 13.5
Flaherty had an impressive bounce-back season in 2024, going 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA between the Tigers and Dodgers. He struck out 194 in 162 innings. Due to injury risk, he signed only a two-year, $35 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason. He's gotten off to a slow start, going 2-5 with a 4.44 ERA, but has pitched better than the numbers. If he pitches well the rest of the year, he'll likely opt out. If he struggles, he has the safety of the second guaranteed year, but at only $10 million -- so if he's healthy, he's probably opting out.
Age: 30
IP: 36 SO: 33
ERA+: 98
Career WAR: 12.4
Buehler shined last postseason, pitching four innings of shutout ball in the NLCS and another six scoreless innings in the World Series as he helped lead the Dodgers to another world championship. He signed with Boston in the offseason on a one-year, $21.05 million deal with a mutual option for 2026. He's off to a solid start, going 4-1 with a 4.00 ERA over his first seven starts. If he can stay healthy and continue to pitch like this, he should be able to get a longer-term deal in free agency this fall.
Age: 31
IP: 28 1/3 SO: 17
ERA+: 75
Career WAR: 13.0
Eflin's best year was with Tampa Bay in 2023, when he went 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA, and then when he was getting too expensive, they dealt him to the Orioles at the trade deadline the following year. He finished 2024 with a 3.59 ERA overall, and went 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA over nine starts after joining Baltimore. This season, he went on the IL in early April with a low grade right lat strain and has gone 3-2 with a 5.08 ERA in five starts since returning. The Orioles will hope to retain Eflin in free agency, but they'll have to be open-minded about moving him at the trade deadline if they can't turn things around before then.
Age: 36
IP: 58 SO: 52
ERA+: 128
Career WAR: 14.6
Kelly has been one of the most underrated starters in the NL since 2022, posting a 3.43 ERA over 82 starts during that span. He has spent his entire major-league career with the Diamondbacks, who would like to retain him beyond this year. However, since there is not a lot of depth in this year's free-agent starting pitching market, a team could offer him a deal that is too rich for Arizona to match.
Age: 29
IP: 47 1/3 SO: 46
ERA+: 157
Career WAR: 6.2
The Angels gave up on Canning and traded him to the Braves in the offseason for outfielder/DH Jorge Soler. Atlanta immediately non-tendered Canning. But the Mets saw something in him and signed him in December. They had a plan for Canning, a second round pick in the 2017 draft, and have turned around the former prospect's career. He's 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA over nine starts. The Mets' front office and field staff deserve a lot of credit.
Age: 42
IP: 52 SO: 41
ERA+: 90
Career WAR: 80.6
Verlander's Hall of Fame career has included 3,457 strikeouts, 262 wins and three Cy Young awards. At 42, he's still holding his own and competing, posting a 4.33 ERA over 10 starts. However, his stuff is not close to what it used to be and it feels like this could be the end of his storied career. Here's hoping he stays in the game in some capacity after his playing days.
Age: 37
IP: 4 SO: 2
ERA+: 38
Career WAR: 79.0
Clayton Kershaw made his season debut last Saturday after starting the year on the IL recovering from offseason surgeries on both his left toe and left knee. He allowed five runs in four innings. His Hall of Fame career includes three Cy Young awards, 10 All-Star appearances and five ERA titles. In 2022, he posted a 2.28 ERA over 22 starts. In 2023, he had a 2.46 ERA over 24 starts. But how much does he have left at 37 years old?
Age: 36
IP: 34 SO: 24
ERA+: 157
Career WAR: 31.3
The Brewers recently placed Quintana on the IL with a left shoulder impingement, a disappointing development after his solid start to the year. He went 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA over six starts before getting injured. Last year, he logged a 3.75 ERA over 31 starts for the Mets, who decided to move on from him. He lasted until March on the free-agent market, finally signing a one-year, $4.25 million contract with Milwaukee that included a $15 million mutual option for 2026.
Age: 34
IP: 57 2/3 SO: 43
ERA+: 121
Career WAR: 10.0
The Reds surprisingly extended Martinez the qualifying offer (one year, $21.05 million) in November, which he quickly accepted rather than testing free agency. He's a solid back-of-the-rotation or swing-man type starter, who this year is 2-5 with a 3.43 ERA over 10 starts. He's also a strong clubhouse presence and positive influence on the Reds' young pitchers. I expect Martinez will get a multiyear offer this offseason, but will have to take a major pay cut.
Age: 33
IP: 57 1/3 SO: 50
ERA+: 110
Career WAR: 12.5
Lorenzen has never made 30 starts in a season but has reached 24 or 25 twice in his 11-year career. He has a legitimate shot to reach 30 this year, as he's gone 3-5 with a 3.77 ERA over his first nine starts. He's a back-of-the-rotation arm that can provide five to six innings an outing and keep the Royals in games.
Age: 33
IP: 50 2/3 SO: 38
ERA+: 141
Career WAR: 9.4
Heaney has been pretty consistent over the past three years. He went 10-6 with a 4.15 ERA over 28 starts and six relief appearances for the Rangers in 2023, then posted a 4.28 ERA over 31 starts and 1 relief appearance for Texas in 2024. He signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Pirates in the offseason and has posted a 3.02 ERA and a 4.18 FIP over his first nine starts.
Age: 29
IP: 59 1/3 SO: 38
ERA+: 92
Career WAR: 5.3
Littell did not become a full-time starter until last year, when he went 8-10 with a 3.63 ERA in 29 starts for the Rays. He's held his own this year, logging a 4.25 ERA and a 5.58 FIP over nine starts. A strike-thrower, Littell's best secondary pitch is his split-finger. His ability to start or relieve should help him in free agency.
Age: 35
IP: 42 2/3 SO: 32
ERA+: 115
Career WAR: 15.0
Over the past four years with the Nationals, Corbin never registered an ERA under 5.20, but he did post every fifth day, making more than 30 starts in each season. He's exceeded expectations since signing a one-year deal with the Rangers, going 3-3 with a 3.59 ERA over eight starts. His sinker has been key this year, with opponents batting just .229 against it compared to .334 last year. His slider remains his best pitch and has been just as effective as it was with the Nationals.
Age: 29
Career WAR: 17.7
The Guardians made a $10 million bet that Bieber would successfully rehab from his Tommy John surgery and help them in the second half of this season. So far he has not had any setbacks in his recovery, according to club sources. Bieber has a player option for $16 million next year or a $4 million buyout. How he pitches when he returns will determine if he remains with the Guardians or enters free agency this fall. The two-time All-Star and one-time Cy Young Award winner could give Cleveland's rotation a huge boost later in the year.
Age: 34
SV: 15 IP: 19 SO: 21
ERA+: 144
Career WAR: 4.0
Suarez has arguably been the best closer in the NL this season, converting 15 of 16 save opportunities with a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 19 innings. He has $8 million player options for 2026 and 2027 but is expected to opt out this fall.
Age: 30
SV: 9 IP: 16 SO: 16
ERA+: 151
Career WAR: 7.6
Helsley has struggled with control to start the season, walking 10 in 16 innings, but the hard-throwing righty has converted nine of 11 save opportunities and pitched to a 2.81 ERA. He was the best closer in the NL last season with a league-leading 49 saves and a 2.04 ERA over 65 appearances. He's a strong candidate to be traded if St. Louis falls out of contention by late July, which seems unlikely at this point.
Age: 31
SV: 10 IP: 18 SO: 26
ERA+: 131
Career WAR: 11.0
Díaz has converted all 10 of his save opportunities this season. He's averaging 13.0 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.0 walks per nine. He has 235 saves and a 3.00 ERA over his nine-year career. Díaz holds $18.5 million player options for 2026 and 2027, and the Mets have a $20.4 million club option for 2028. If Díaz continues to pitch at a high level this season, I expect him to opt out in November to pursue a longer-term deal. The two-time All-Star remains one of the best closers in the game.
Age: 31
SV: 6 IP: 20 2/3 SO: 22
ERA+: 907
Career WAR: 4.1
Weaver is off to a strong start and has replaced Devin Williams as the Yankees' closer. He has a 0.44 ERA and 0.58 WHIP over 19 appearances with six saves. He's coming off a career-best season in which he posted a 2.89 ERA over 62 appearances and averaged 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings.
Age: 35
SV: 8 IP: 18 1/3 SO: 20
ERA+: 72
Career WAR: 16.6
Iglesias was the second-best closer in the NL last season, when he had 34 saves, a 1.95 ERA and a 2.65 FIP. This year he's off to a rocky start with a 5.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and three blown saves. He'll need a strong finish to the season if he wants to keep getting paid at his current salary level ($16 million this year).
Age: 30
SV: 4 IP: 17 SO: 22
ERA+: 55
Career WAR: 8.3
Williams entered this season as one of the game's most dominant closers, posting ERAs of 1.25, 1.53 and 1.93 in the past three seasons with 65 total saves. Last year he dealt with a back injury but pitched well after returning in late July. He's had a subpar start with the Yankees, posting a 6.88 ERA but a 3.03 FIP over 20 outings. He's struggled with command and control, averaging 5.8 walks per nine innings compared to 4.4 per nine for his career. His strikeout rate is also down, from 14.1 per nine innings for his career to 11.7 per nine this season.
Williams still has one of the best changeups in the game, and his velocity hasn't been much different. As long as he's healthy, I think he'll figure it out and be back to closing for the Yankees by the second half of the season.
Age: 37
SV: 8 IP: 19 SO: 26
ERA+: 211
Career WAR: 21.6
He's back ... yet again! You never know when Chapman is going to have a comeback season, but he's impressed in Boston with a 1.89 ERA, eight saves in as many opportunities, and 26 strikeouts in 19 innings. He continues to rank among the game's best in fastball velocity (99th percentile). But the most impressive part of his season is his walk rate, 3.3 per nine innings, his lowest mark in five years.
Age: 33
SV: 15 IP: 17 2/3 SO: 17
ERA+: 154
Career WAR: 4.0
A lot of teams are kicking themselves for not making more of an effort to sign Finnegan in the offseason. Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo deserves credit for waiting out the market and re-signing Finnegan to a one-year deal at a bargain price ($6 million). Finnegan saved 38 games for Washington last season, logging a 3.68 ERA and a 4.25 FIP. This season, he has 15 saves, a 2.55 ERA and a 2.32 FIP. He's expected to be traded at the deadline.
Age: 32
SV: 3 IP: 14.1 SO: 14
ERA+: 58
Career WAR: 7.3
The Phillies signed Romano in the offseason to a one-year "prove-it" contract worth $8.5 million. He was one of the game's best closers with the Blue Jays from 2021 to 2023 before suffering an elbow injury last season, which limited him to 13 2/2 innings. His Phillies tenure started poorly, and that's reflected in his 7.27 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 19 appearances. But he's pitched much better since April 27, allowing no runs and three hits with 11 strikeouts in eight innings over that span.
Age: 37
SV: 10 IP: 15 1/3 SO: 15
ERA+: 85
Career WAR: 22.0
Jansen has a 5.28 ERA over 17 appearances this season but has converted 10 of 10 save opportunities. The active saves leader with 457, Jansen has a career 2.62 ERA over 16 seasons. He's making $10 million this year with the Angels.
Finally, here's a list of players with 2026 club options in their contracts, most of which are expected to be exercised by their respective clubs. However, in all probability, several will not be picked up, especially among those toward the bottom of this list. For now, we did not include them in our initial top free agents list.
1. Chris Sale, LHP, Braves -- $18 million
2. Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers -- $8 million
3. Jarren Duran, LF, Red Sox -- $8 million
4. William Contreras, C, Brewers -- $12 million
5. Salvador Perez, C, Royals -- $13.5 million
6. Andrés Muñoz, RHP, Mariners -- $12 million
7. Luis Robert Jr., CF, White Sox -- $20 million
8. Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves -- $7 million
9. Pete Fairbanks, RHP, Rays -- $7 million
10. José Alvarado, LHP, Phillies -- $9 million (serving 80-game PED suspension)
11. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Red Sox -- $14 million
12. Yandy Díaz, 1B, Rays -- $12 million
13. Brandon Lowe, 2B, Rays -- $11.5 million
14. Max Muncy, 3B, Dodgers -- $10 million
15. Matt Strahm, LHP, Phillies -- $4.5 million
16. Danny Jansen, C, Rays -- $12 million
17. Colin Rea, RHP, Cubs -- $6 million
18. Kyle Hart, RHP, Padres -- $5 million
19. Elias Díaz, C, Padres -- $7 million
20. Ramón Laureano, OF, Orioles -- $6.5 million
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; top photos: Matt Dirksen / Chicago Cubs, Nick Cammett / Diamond Images, Elsa / Getty Images)