Soon, massive moves will occur as the MLB enters free agency. However, there a lot of a contracts that include the ability to other opt-out or opt-in. As free agency will go into full affect massive moves have already been made.
Contract Decisions Ahead of MLB Free Agency
Several players choose to Opt-Out of Contracts, Become Free Agents
Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, Edwin Diaz, Robert Suarez, Shota Imanaga, and Alex Bregman have all decided to opt-out of their contracts and become free agents. Alonso had a pretty good season and will seek a larger deal, likely around 10 years, over 250 million. Diaz will probably be the best closer on the market, as after a bit of an up and down season in 2024, Diaz had an amazing 1.64 ERA with 28 saves, 98 Ks and just three blown saves. Suarez, who will also become a free agent, had a really good season with 40 saves and a just five blown saves.
As for Bellinger, after reviving his career in Chicago, Bellinger had his best season since 2019 with nearly 30 homers, 98 RBIs and an excellent season defensively. Bellinger, 30, will also seek a long term-contract. Imanaga remains to be an interesting story, as the lefty 32- year old pitcher had an pretty amazing start to his season and an overall great 2024 season. Imanaga didn’t look quite as sharp as he missed some time and saw his ERA drop from 2.91 in 2024 to 3.73 in 2025, he is risky but nonetheless a pretty good free agent.
Lastly, Bregman, who missed significant time in 2025 will opt-out as well. Bregman remains a good option for several teams but still a risky one with his recent history.
Who’s Staying?
Some player however have decided to stay. Shane Bieber, Jack Flaherty, and Trevor Story will all try to bring their teams to the top next season. Story surprisingly led the Boston Red Sox in most offensive categories. Story hit 25 homers, had 96 RBIs, and overall finally made his contract look like a minor win for the Sox. Bieber could’ve been a huge free agent on the starting pitching market, but after reaching the World Series, Bieber is hungry for more.
Lastly, Flaherty, who had a roller coaster 2025 season, will return to the Detroit Tigers in 2026. Flaherty was largely an ace for the Los Angeles Dodgers staff in 2024, but failed to be consistent with a 4.64 ERA with the Tigers in 2024. The Tigers looked very good at one point for the season in 2025, and Flaherty will try to lead his team to being the top team in the AL in 2026.
Several Teams Will Look To Get Much Better Results Next Season
As free agency begins, here are some teams to really watch: the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and more. The Mets obviously left much to be desired in 2025. They were strangely enough a pretty young team at the end of the season though, meaning that some fixes here and there in free agency could balance out the team. The Yankees didn’t feel like a true threat in 2025, they were too hot or too cold. The Yankees will also probably need to improve in certain areas as well. As for the Blue Jays, they will have a bad taste in their mouth over this World Series for many years to come.
Two outs away, played overall better, and still didn’t win. The Blue Jays will be motivated to spend money to try to do what they were so close to doing before. There are other teams as well, such as the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, and Arizona Diamondbacks, who all want more after VERY disappointing seasons in 2025. Overall though, out of all sports, free agency in baseball is insane. Many teams want more after 2025, and they might just get it. Free agency is an opportunity to get way better, and some teams probably can and will do that.
Main Image: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
