The MLB offseason is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of excitement as teams jockey to sign the biggest stars in the free agent market. This winter’s class is headlined by none other than generational talent Juan Soto, but he’s far from the only player poised for a massive payday. Our MLB insider has ranked the top 50 free agents and projected the eye-popping contracts they’re expected to command.
Soto Leads Pack, Boras Set for $1.7 Billion Bonanza
Juan Soto, the clear crown jewel of this free agent class, sits atop our rankings with a projected 13-year, $611 million megadeal. The 26-year-old phenom is represented by powerhouse agent Scott Boras, who is expected to negotiate a staggering $1.717 billion in contracts this offseason for his stable of stars, accounting for nearly half of the total $3.627 billion in guarantees projected to be handed out.
Pitching Aces Cash In
While Soto grabs the headlines, a bevy of ace pitchers are also in line for huge paydays. Corbin Burnes, the top free agent hurler with MLB experience, is projected to ink a 7-year, $225 million pact, potentially becoming the third-highest paid pitcher ever behind Gerrit Cole and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Burnes is a typical deal where the signing team hopes to win the first half of the contract, ideally with deep playoff runs and a ring, then wishes for health on the back half.
– MLB Insider
Max Fried and Blake Snell also figure to be handsomely rewarded, with both southpaws projected to surpass the $150 million mark.
Sluggers Seek Security
On the hitting side, slugging first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker look to cash in on their prodigious power. Alonso reportedly already turned down a 7-year, $158 million offer from the Mets, while Walker’s elite defense at the position could give him a boost over recent $100M+ first base deals for Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman.
Veteran Stars Seek Short-Term Wins
For accomplished veterans like Justin Verlander and Paul Goldschmidt, this offseason presents an opportunity to secure high-dollar short-term deals with contenders as they enter the twilight of their illustrious careers. Both future Hall of Famers should have no shortage of win-now suitors willing to pay premium rates, even if it’s only for a year or two.
Ranking the Top 50 Free Agents and Projecting Deals
- Juan Soto, OF (Projected Contract: 13 years, $611M)
- Corbin Burnes, RHP (Projected Contract: 7 years, $225M)
- Willy Adames, SS (Projected Contract: 7 years, $189M)
- Alex Bregman, 3B (Projected Contract: 6 years, $187M)
- Max Fried, LHP (Projected Contract: 6 years, $175M)
- Pete Alonso, 1B (Projected Contract: 6 years, $159M)
- Blake Snell, LHP (Projected Contract: 4 years, $124M)
- Jack Flaherty, RHP (Projected Contract: 5 years, $115M)
- Sean Manaea, LHP (Projected Contract: 4 years, $86M)
- Yusei Kikuchi, LHP (Projected Contract: 4 years, $76M)
The full top 50 rankings and projections, including potential landing spots, can be found here.
Buckle Up for a Wild Offseason
With a deep and talented free agent class, headlined by a once-in-a-generation superstar in Juan Soto, this MLB offseason is shaping up to be one for the ages. As the hot stove heats up and the dominoes begin to fall, stay tuned to see which teams make the biggest splashes and which stars score the most eye-popping deals.
