We’re only roughly five weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training sites across Arizona and Florida ahead of the 2026 MLB season, but there’s still a number of highly impactful free agents available that can drastically change the outlook of baseball teams looking to contend for a World Series title.
It’s becoming more common that the top free agents on the market each offseason hold out until just before Spring Training in order to maximize the value of their future contracts in an attempt to inspire a bidding war. This year is no exception, as several of the top free agents still remain unsigned in early 2026, but the rumour mill is churning, and the markets for these respective players are beginning to take shape.
Let’s take a look at five MLB free agents that have the ability to drastically change World Series futures markets depending on where they potentially sign.
Kyle Tucker
Tucker was the consensus top free agent on the board heading into the offseason, and he remains unsigned with just weeks to go before Spring Training. The superstar outfielder has recorded five consecutive seasons with at least 4 WAR. He’s a four-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a former World Series champion as a member of the Houston Astros in 2022.
Tucker, who turns 29 on Jan. 17, is projected to earn an 11-year, $400 million deal in free agency by popular projection site MLBtraderumors.com. The latest reports have him linked to the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Back in November, the Dodgers had the shortest odds (+325) to sign Tucker at bet365, followed by the Blue Jays (+400) and Yankees (+425).
Prediction: Tucker signs with Blue Jays.
Bo Bichette
Bichette is hitting the open market at just 27 years of age, making him a prime candidate for a long-term deal. The folks at MLBtraderumors.com are projecting the infielder to earn an eight-year, $208 million deal, and he’s reportedly open to moving to second base from shortstop for interested suitors.
He was slowed by a knee injury at the end of last season, forcing him to miss the final few weeks of the regular season and most of the postseason leading up to Toronto’s improbable World Series run. However, Bichette slashed .311/.357/.483 while posting just a 14.5% strikeout rate last season, the lowest of his career. His 6.4% walk rate was also a career best.
The latest odds at bet365 suggest the Blue Jays have the best odds (-170) at retaining Bichette’s services. The Boston Red Sox have the second-shortest odds (+400) of signing Bichette, with the Yankees (+1000) and Detroit Tigers (+1600) rounding out the top four.
Prediction: Bichette signs with the Philadelphia Phillies (+1800 @ bet365).
Phillies to sign Bo Bichette
Alex Bregman
Bregman elected to opt out of his deal with the Boston Red Sox and become a free agent for the second consecutive winter in hopes of snatching a longer-term deal. He thrived in Boston last year as a 3.5 WAR player while playing a mentor role to the team’s young core.
It’s obvious that Boston desperately wants him back, and MLBtraderumors.com is projecting the 31-year-old third baseman to command a six-year deal in free agency this time around for about $160 million.
Historically, the Red Sox have shied away from handing out long-term deals to players that are north of 30 years old, but this could be a case when an exception is made given the team’s need for a veteran third baseman and Bregman’s popularity with the fanbase and young players.
However, other suitors are interested in signing Bregman, including the Tigers and Cubs, among others.
Prediction: Bregman signs with the Red Sox.
Cody Bellinger
Teams looking for an elite veteran bat will be interested in signing Bellinger, the 2019 National League MVP and 2020 World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 30-year-old swatted 29 homers and drove in 98 runs for the Yankees last season while also playing exceptional defence in left field. He experienced a dip in production for a few seasons following a major shoulder surgery in 2020, but he’s rebounded back to elite form over the last three seasons.
Bellinger is expected to command a five-year deal on the open market worth around $140 million, which should fit into the New York Yankees’ payroll plans just fine. It’s hard to imagine Bellinger not returning in pinstripes next season.
Prediction: Yankees sign Bellinger.
Framber Valdez
One of the top free agent starting pitchers still available, Valdez is a reliable rotation option that can eat innings at a high rate. The southpaw has averaged 192 innings pitched each season from 2022 to 2025, making him one of the most durable arms in the majors.
He also boasts an elite ground-ball rate in the 60% range, which will also be enticing to potential suitors.
Valdez, 32, is projected to earn a five-year deal worth around $150 million, making him a relative bargain compared to some of the other elite arms available.
Prediction: Orioles sign Valdez.
2026 World Series odds (top 15)
| Team | World Series odds |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +300 |
| New York Yankees | +750 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1000 |
| Boston Red Sox | +1400 |
| Houston Astros | +1400 |
| Seattle Mariners | +1400 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +1400 |
| New York Mets | +1500 |
| Atlanta Braves | +1600 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +2200 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +2200 |
| Chicago Cubs | +2500 |
| San Diego Padres | +2500 |
| Detroit Tigers | +2800 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +3000 |