With about four weeks until spring training reporting dates, several high-profile free agents remain unsigned in Major League Baseball. Most notably, slugger Kyle Tucker and left-hander Framber Valdez, widely expected by analysts to be the most expensive hitter and pitcher on the market, respectively, are still unemployed.
With a report circulating that the New York Mets offered Tucker a short-term contract of approximately three years and $140 million to play left field, he would soon be deciding on a new home. The Mets would add him to a roster that already has Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, but lost Pete Alonso to the Orioles.
The Mets previously added Jorge Polanco in free agency and Marcus Semien in a trade. They shook up the bullpen, signing Devin Williams and Luke Weaver after losing Edwin Díaz in free agency to the Dodgers, but they appear to need more frontline pitchers than Tucker. Maybe owner Steve Cohen will find currency for all of the above.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been seen by many as the most likely landing spot for Tucker on a longer-term deal, but the Dodgers are also hiding in case the market expands further like what the Mets are considering.
Valdez could be expected to sign soon amid reports that the Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with left-hander Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million contract. The Orioles are heavily linked to Valdez, who at 32 is two years older than Suárez but is one of the five or six most valuable starting pitchers since 2020.
Valdez comes with a warning after a bizarre incident in September where he appeared to intentionally cross catcher Cesar Salazar out of frustration, hitting him in the chest with a pitch.
The Red Sox have been active this winter – not with free agents but rather with trades – having added right-handers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, as well as first baseman Willson Contreras. They also lost third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency when he signed with the Chicago Cubs.
Boston would acquire surplus pitchers, perhaps right-hander Brayan Bello, in exchange for roster help.
Outfielder Cody Bellinger and infielder Bo Bichette are the other two big names who remain unsigned, with the New York Yankees considering both. Bellinger would be better off returning to the Yankees, but Bichette’s name was linked to the Bronx after a lengthy negotiation with Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras.
The Yankees have an opening at shortstop – for a while – as Anthony Volpe recovers from shoulder surgery. Recovering from a sprained left knee, Bichette played second base for the Blue Jays during the 2025 playoffs, and will likely be a better defensive fit there or at third base in the long run.
The Yankees already have Jazz Chisholm at second and Ryan McMahon at third, and could look for leverage on Bellinger, whose free agency experience seems to get stranger each time he files.
In total, there are about 150 major league free agents remaining, with players like Eugenio Suárez, JT Realmuto and Luis Arráez also available on offense. Justin Verlander, Zac Gallen and Max Scherzer are among the pitchers still present.
