The annual MLB Winter Meetings commence this Sunday in Orlando, and the man receiving the most attention once again at the meetings is expected to be super-agent Scott Boras, who has yet another deep bench of top free-agent clients, representing at least 10 of the best free agents in this year’s class.
Boras already ignited the Hot Stove season when he landed one of his best starting pitching clients, Dylan Cease, with the reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays on a 7-year, $210-million pact. The Cease signing is just the beginning for the Boras Corp., as they will spend the next several weeks trying to finalize deals for more than 20 MLB free agents.
Let’s look at the 10 best unsigned free agents represented by Boras Corp. this year:
1. Pete Alonso, 1B/DH
After landing a short-term deal in his first foray into free agency last winter, Alonso, 30, is looking for a longer-term contract this time around, and if the Mets don’t step up, he could find himself with a new organization for the first time in his professional career. Alonso has played 152 games or more in every non-pandemic shortened season he’s been in the big leagues, including all 162 regular-season games in each of the last two years for the Mets. He had an uncharacteristically quiet 2024 season but rebounded with 41 doubles to lead the National League in 2025.
There are several teams besides the Mets who are potentially shopping for a first baseman, including the Red Sox, Pirates, Reds, Angels, Rays, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Rockies and Twins. However, his two most likely landing spots remain the Mets and Red Sox.
Scott Boras found Alex Bregman a home in Boston last offseason. Could he land there again? (Maddie Malhotra / Boston Red Sox / Getty Images)
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
Bregman, 31, opted out of his contract with the Red Sox earlier this offseason because he would like a long-term deal to finish his career with one team. He’d love that team to be Boston, but it remains to be seen whether the Red Sox are willing to offer him the kind of long-term deal he’s seeking. Bregman was important to the Red Sox last year not just because of what he did on the field, but because of his leadership qualities and willingness to help develop their young players at the major-league level.
However, there are several contending teams that Bregman would be a difference-maker for if he signs with any of them, including the Tigers, Phillies, Mariners, Yankees, Mets and Blue Jays, as well as non-contending teams like the Angels and Pirates. His free agency is going to be must-watch during the Winter Meetings.
3. Ranger Suárez, LHP
The Phillies are trying to re-sign Suárez, 30, but also believe they have enough starting pitching in-house if they can’t get a deal done with him. Suárez has had a FIP under 3.9 for each of the last five years and he’s had a 3.33 ERA over his last 53 starts, allowing 2.3 walks per nine innings with 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. One of the keys to his resume is that he only has 762 career innings on his arm odometer and he really knows how to pitch — adding and subtracting velocity and varying location. He has had back issues, however.
There are several teams besides the Phillies that have interest in Suárez, including the Astros, Braves, Padres, Mets, Angels and Tigers.
4. Cody Bellinger, OF/1B
Bellinger, 30, has had an up-and-down career. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and then two years later won the league’s MVP. However, since 2020, his production has varied wildly from year-to-year. He had a strong first season in the Bronx in 2025 and the Yankees would love to retain him. They have the best shot to do just that unless they pivot and land this winter’s top free agent, Kyle Tucker, who is represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management.
If Bellinger doesn’t return to the Yankees, there have been rumors that he’d be open to returning to the Dodgers — where he began his career — as well as rumblings that the Mets could pivot to him if they can’t bring Alonso back. Other contending teams that makes sense for Bellinger include the Phillies and Reds, who both need upgrades at their corner outfield spots. The Pirates, Angels, Nationals and Rockies are among the non-contenders that he would also fit nicely with.
5. Tatsuya Imai, RHP
Imai is only 27 and has been dominant in Japan. There are some teams that are wary of his small frame (he’s listed at 5-foot-11, 154 pounds) but with so many examples of that frame working — from Yoshinobu Yamamoto to Pedro MartÃnez to Tim Lincecum — it seems like a dated viewpoint. Imai’s throwing motion gets solid downward plane, and he has tremendous late movement on his secondary pitches. His fastball velocity averages 99 mph with carry, his slider and splitter are both wipeout offerings and he projects as No. 2-type starter. The only question is command and control and signing with the team that has the best pitching room and technology group will likely benefit him greatly.
The teams most linked to him so far have been the Padres, Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Cubs. At the outset of this offseason, most in the industry believed he would end up with the Giants, but the Giants have indicated that they are out on Imai and other similarly priced free agents.
6. Zac Gallen, RHP
Over his seven-year career, Gallen, 30, has posted 20.8 bWAR with a 3.58 career ERA. Unfortunately, his platform year was a disappointment, as he delivered the highest FIP and lowest strikeout rate of his career. The question is why? Was it mechanics? The pressure of the free-agent walk year? A health issue? Teams interested in him this winter will need to have an answer to this question in mind and believe that they can fix it.
A change of scenery probably makes sense for him at this point, with the Astros, Tigers, Orioles, Braves, Mets and Cubs all possibilities if he doesn’t return to Arizona. Given his previous ceiling and his youth, Gallen could end up being the best value starting pitcher in this year’s market if his 2025 issues are fixable.
7. Kazuma Okamoto, 1B/3B
Like Imai, Okamoto, 29, is coming over from Japan after starring in the NPB. He arrives with the reputation as a professional hitter and an on-base machine with plus power. He has terrific hand-eye coordination and solid contact skills to go along with the power. The right-handed hitter belted 15 home runs in 77 games last season while being limited by a left elbow injury that cost him roughly three months. Okamoto has played both infield corners, but most MLB evaluators believe that first base is his best position.
I like him at first base over third base, and therefore, I think his best landing spots could be similar to Alonso’s, with Boston, Arizona, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Colorado, Washington or the Mets having interest.
8. Ha-Seong Kim, 2B/SS/3B
Kim’s best year was with the Padres in 2023 when he slashed .260/.351/.398 with 23 doubles, 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases to go along with Gold Glove defense for his work at second base. However, a serious shoulder injury ended his 2024 season early. It also derailed his 2025 season, allowing him to play in just 48 games combined with the Rays and Braves. He’s healthy now and there is tremendous interest in the 30-year-old, including from both the Braves and Brewers, and he would immediately be an upgrade at shortstop for either of them, assuming his arm strength is fully back in 2026.
Kim also has the ability to play above-average defense at both second and third base, which really opens up his market to interested teams. I think a return to the Braves would be the best play for him and the team if they can work out a fair contract.
9. Nick Martinez, RHP
Martinez, 35, was fortunate that the Reds decided to make him the qualifying offer last offseason, which he immediately grabbed at a whopping salary of $21.05 million. He’ll have to take a pay cut this year but could get a multi-year contract thanks to his versatility as a swingman who can eat up innings in a variety of roles.
Martinez is a plus in the clubhouse and his versatility is very valuable. The Padres, Giants, Mets and Braves are potential landing spots for Martinez.
10. Max Scherzer, RHP
The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer still has dominant stuff, as shown during the World Series when his fastball velocity sat at 95-96 mph and his overall competitiveness was on complete display. He has dealt with injuries the last several years, but he’s certainly the pitcher you want on the mound in October if you can get your team there.
It sounds like Scherzer would like to return to the Blue Jays if they’ll have him, but if not, most in the industry believe he’ll end up on a one-year deal with the Giants, as he has a strong personal relationship with their new manager Tony Vitello.