The first baseman of a team is at times the most important player there is. They commonly lead a team in power and RBIs, and are commonly good defensive players. Like every other position, first basemen are very important in free agency. They may make-or-break, a team in 2025.
2024-25 MLB Free Agency: First Basemen
5. Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo is not a fading memory of power yet. He still remains to be a better option at first base than players like Anthony Rizzo or Rowdy Tellez. Gallo remains to have a significant amount of power and is still just 30 (albeit 31 soon). Gallo hit .161 this season, and in his career, he has hit .194. In other words, Gallo isn’t who you would want up to bat in an important situation. However, he remains to be one of those players that will provide a team with swift power. His age and power will allow him to land where a team needs it. Gallo won’t be very expensive and won’t be a waste of money if he can retain his power. Gallo is a risk teams should be willing to take.
4. Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt still remains to be a good option at first base. He is at the point of his career where he will land a one-to-two-year deal. However, regardless of being 37, Goldschmidt is still productive offensively and defensively. The St. Louis Cardinals reasonably decided to move away from Goldschmidt, as they need to cut down on age and money. However, for other teams needing of a good first baseman, Goldschmidt can still be a viable option. He hit 22 homers this season with a career-low .245 average. Regardless, he will be more productive than other options for other teams.
3. Carlos Santana
Rarely do you see a 39-year-old continue to shine. Carlos Santana is one of those players who again will land a 1–2-year deal. However, Santana, despite having arguably identical numbers to Goldschmidt, won his first Gold Glove and had his most productive offensive season since 2019. Santana will be a valuable player for his good offensive and defensive performance. Certainly, teams will not race to get him, but he is still a good option for teams without a good first baseman.
2. Christian Walker
Christian Walker came out of nowhere in 2019 and hit 29 homers with 73 RBIs. 2021 wasn’t a great campaign, but then came 2022, followed by both 2023 and 2024, where he did well in the power department. Walker’s offensive numbers weren’t as good as the previous seasons in 2024; however, Walker is still easily the second most valuable first baseman in free agency. He is 33 and is still very productive offensively. Perhaps a team like the New York Yankees who ridded themselves of Rizzo would be interested. However, Walker will be signed easily in free agency and is still a desirable option at first base.
1. Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso wins the contest easily this season for the most valuable free agent at first base. If you look up home run in the dictionary, chances are that a picture of Alonso might show up. The definition of power in the last six seasons is Alonso, who has hit 226 home runs over this span. In all likeliness, he will be resigned by the New York Mets, who can easily afford to overpay for Alonso. However, the Mets already have found themselves interested in Willy Adames and Juan Soto. If such signings happen, Alonso may be interested in exploring other teams who can and will afford him. Not only is Alonso great offensively, but Alonso is also just 30 and probably deserves a Gold Glove for some spectacular defensive plays. Overall, Alonso will be one of the most expensive players to sign in free agency in 2024-25.
These players may very well determine a team’s fortunes in 2025. Power is the name of the game for several of these players. But not only is the first baseman powerful, but he is also a good defender and is usually one of the most reliable players on the team. These first basemen could very well affect a team massively next season.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
