Today is the day. Five days removed from the conclusion of the World Series, MLB free agency is here, and players on the open market will be searching for new homes.
Guys like Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, and Dylan Cease will headline the free agent class, and all of the big spenders will be looking to bring in these All-Star-caliber talents.
Unfortunately, not every team has access to the marquee players. Today, we’ll be talking about the dream signings for each MLB team, with the caveat that these predictions have to be realistic to some degree.
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Moving in alphabetical order, we’ll first be looking at the Arizona Diamondbacks, and then moving on from there.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Zac Gallen
After spending years as a staple in the Diamondbacks’ rotation, Zac Gallen is set to hit the open market following a down year.
Both parties have expressed interest in a reunion; it will just come down to whether the price is right for both sides. If they can come to an agreement, that would be huge for the Diamondbacks, as the rotation is suspect ahead of the 2026 season.
Athletics
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Merrill Kelly
The Athletics are in a very unique situation ahead of the offseason.Â
The need to add some talent to the starting staff that can complement the emerging bats in the lineup is very apparent, but a front office that’s adverse to spending will hinder them from making a splashy addition.
An aging, but reliable, starting pitcher like Merrill Kelly could check all the boxes for the Athletics.
Atlanta Braves
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Dylan Cease
With the ageless wonder, Chris Sale, set to headline the rotation once again, the Braves simply need a reliable arm to join him atop the rotation.
With at least 165 IP and 200 Ks in each of the last five seasons, Dylan Cease fits that mold. He can be one of the marquee additions that help get Atlanta back in the playoff picture.
Baltimore Orioles
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Framber Valdez
In what was a disastrous season in 2025, the pitching staff was arguably the biggest culprit behind the Orioles’ woes.
The rotation needs to be rebuilt in every sense of the word, and Framber Valdez is one of the premier starting arms on the open market.
Boston Red Sox
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Pete Alonso
The Red Sox will likely be linked to just about every big-time free agent, but taking The Polar Bear out of New York would be a massive win.
The need for a power bat is something that will certainly be addressed this offseason, and Alonso is about as good as they get in that department.
Chicago Cubs
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Ranger Suarez
With Shota Imanaga now on the open market, finding a southpaw to insert into the rotation will be a top priority for the Cubs’ front office.
Ranger Suarez was snubbed from the All-Star Game this year, but he’s coming off a career year in which he posted a 3.20 ERA. If signed, he can be a key piece in getting the Cubs over the hump next season.
Chicago White Sox
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Luis Arraez
Luis Arraez is absolutely horrific in the field and on the base paths, but his bat and contact-driven approach at the dish can help provide some stability for the White Sox’s lineup.
There are some concerns that his lack of defensive versatility would take away at-bats from some younger guys, but it’s hard to pass up on a guy who’s batted .290 or better in every year of his career.
Cincinnati Reds
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Trent Grisham
Was Trent Grisham’s 2025 season, where he hit 34 HRs and drove in 74 runs, a mirage? It very well could be, but it’s hard to deny these impressive numbers.
The Reds are in desperate need of some power and pop in the outfield. Grisham could do just that, all while fitting in with the Reds’ financial constraints.
Cleveland Guardians
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Cody Bellinger
The Guardians had the worst batting average in baseball last year, and Cody Bellinger could help push this team forward. His bat in the Cleveland lineup may do wonders for this squad.
Additionally, his versatility could be a big factor here, since he can play both the infield and outfield. The Guardians should do whatever they can to add Bellinger to the mix.
Colorado Rockies
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Miguel Andujar
Miguel Andujar seemed to find his swing once he got to Cincinnati, and he could help the Rockies out immensely. When he was with the Yankees, he used short porches to his advantage, and Coors Field is a hitter’s park all the way through.
Since he can play multiple positions, he could give Colorado a lot of options in lineups. The Rockies need to add talent, and this could be a low-risk move.
Detroit Tigers
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Alex Bregman
The Tigers were aggressive in their pursuit of Alex Bregman last year, but ultimately saw their offer declined. That shouldn’t stop them, though.
Despite a troubling back half of the year, we’ve seen the recipe for success in Detroit. With Bregman filling what’s arguably the team’s biggest need, the Tigers could become a true threat in the postseason.
Houston Astros
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Framber Valdez
As the Astros get ready for this offseason, keeping Framber Valdez around should be the first priority. While the second half of his season was a little shaky, he has meant a lot to this team.
Houston needs starting pitching help, and they can’t afford to lose Valdez. The Astros should retain him; otherwise, the options may be a little tough for this team.
Kansas City Royals
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Kyle Schwarber
The Royals took a step back in 2025, but the front office is ready to build toward 2026. Adding a power bat like Kyle Schwarber could completely transform this team.
Schwarber is coming off a special season, so his price tag will be massive, but this could be a worthwhile investment. Don’t sleep on Kansas City this offseason.
Los Angeles Angels
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Dylan Cease
The Angels missed the playoffs again this season, but there is some hope for the future. Los Angeles has some decent young pieces on the roster, but they desperately need help in the starting rotation.
Luckily for them, there are a few options that could work for them, but none bigger than Dylan Cease. Cease could become the face of the rotation and lead this team for years to come.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Bo Bichette
If you can’t beat them, join them? But in all seriousness, the Dodgers do need more consistent offensive help, and Bo Bichette could be the answer.
Even hobbled, he was great for the Blue Jays in the World Series, and the Dodgers saw this up close and personal. Los Angeles needs help at second base, and Bichette has been a rumored target of the Dodgers for multiple years in the past.
Miami Marlins
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Devin Williams
The Marlins came close to getting to the playoffs, so adding to the team will be huge this winter. One area that needs help is the bullpen, and this team could target relief pitcher Devin Williams.
Williams is coming off a poor year with the Yankees, but he could completely take over this Miami bullpen. The pressure would be much lower with the Marlins, which could push Williams back to being his All-Star self.
Milwaukee Brewers
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Dylan Cease
The Brewers have a solid lineup in place. However, they are in desperate need of both starters and relievers.Â
Freddy Peralta, Quinn Priester, and Jacob Misiorowski, who could become a full-time reliever, are the only options the Brew Crew have in the rotation. Dylan Cease didn’t have the best time in San Diego, so a much-needed change of scenery would be welcomed.Â
Cease could thrive in the NL Central as a middle-of-the-pack rotation option.Â
Minnesota Twins
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Luke Weaver
After selling off almost everyone who breathed at this year’s trade deadline, the Twins now head into the 2026 offseason with a lot of room to grow. They traded away a lot of relievers like Danny Coulombe, Griffin Jax, and most notably, Jhoan Duran.Â
They need any reliever they can get. So, Luke Weaver being on the market might be the best move the Twins could make. Not only because they need relievers, but also so that they can ship him off to a contender at next year’s trade deadline for a couple of prospects.
New York Mets
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Josh Naylor
The Mets have a sliver of hope when it comes to re-signing their franchise home run leader, Pete Alonso, this offseason. Meaning that a much-needed replacement is needed at first. The second-best first baseman on the market is Josh Naylor, and he would fit like a glove in this Mets lineup.Â
Mark Vientos is currently projected to be the starting first baseman, and we all know how Mets fans feel about him starting at third.Â
New York Yankees
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Emilio Pagan
When the Yankees acquired Camilo Doval, Jake Bird, and David Bednar at the trade deadline, it looked like they were building the best bullpen in baseball. However, things quickly turned in the opposite direction.Â
The Yankees have the lineup to make it to the World Series. They could even have the starting pitching. But with the 23rd-ranked bullpen ERA in the regular season and the second-worst bullpen in the playoffs, it’s clear what the main issue was when it came to losing games.Â
Emilio Pagan excelled in his new role as the closer with the Reds. With the Yankees in desperate need of people who can close out games, Pagan could be the saving grace for this Yankees bullpen.
Philadelphia Phillies
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Trent Grisham
Trent Grisham experienced a career year at the plate last season. While no one knows if it was a fluke or a true changing of the tide, Grisham earned himself some deserved money this offseason.Â
The Phillies are in danger of losing Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, and Harrison Bader this offseason. The latter three were outfielders, and all three played key roles in the lineup. Not so much defensively.Â
Grisham would come in as a defensive upgrade in the outfield, which has plagued the Phillies for the past few seasons. That alone would be a huge win.Â
Pittsburgh Pirates
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Willi Castro
To say that the Pirates need everything besides starting pitching would be true. So it’s really hard to pinpoint one specific player that the Pirates need to go after. But we know they won’t land any of the biggest names like Alonso, Tucker, or Bellinger.
Willi Castro has made his career as an elite utility player, both at the plate and in the field. The Pirates have had notable utility players in the past who have gone on to earn big contracts, and Castro could become the next great one in Pittsburgh.Â
San Diego Padres
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Shota Imanaga
Shota Imanaga’s free agency availability came as a shock to many baseball fans. Imanaga struggled in his second season in the majors; however, he’s shown the world what he can be.
The Padres have the lineup to get them to the World Series; they just need some help on the mound. With Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove out with injuries and Michael King and Dylan Cease set to sign elsewhere, adding Imanaga as the top lefty in this staff could be the catalyst for the Padres to build an elite rotation.Â
San Francisco Giants
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Munetaka Murakami
The biggest free agent to come out of Japan this offseason will surely be Munetaka Murakami, thanks to his high-end hitting production. The Giants, who are known to be aggressive in making big splashes, would be a logical spot for Murakami.Â
Murakami can play infield or be the DH and split time with Devers at 1B if needed. With his power, the Giants could be one of the best offenses in the league.
Seattle Mariners
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Josh Naylor
When Josh Naylor was traded to the Mariners, he made an instant impact for this team offensively and was a key part in leading them to the ALCS.
Seattle must do everything it can to retain him long term. Naylor gives Seattle a reliable bat to pair with Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez in the middle of the order. Seattle has the money to spend and would be wise to keep one of their own on the team.Â
St. Louis Cardinals
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Walker Buehler
The Cardinals are coming off yet another disappointing season, with age becoming a problem with this team. With another season gone to waste, it might be time to retool. The team could look for high upside players in free agency.Â
Walker Buehler fits this mold as someone who could be a low-risk, high-reward signing, due to his previous success, as he was a massive piece for the Dodgers’ World Series runs in 2020 and 2024. Buehler can bring that upside to help improve the Cardinals’ rotation back to being at least respectable.Â
Tampa Bay Rays
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Ryan Helsley
Ryan Helsley was one of the best closers in baseball prior to getting traded from the Cardinals to the Mets. His time in New York wasn’t the best, but still, he’s one of the best relievers on the market this year.Â
The Rays are known to have an amazing pitching lab and could be just what Helsley needs to go back to his old form. With the Rays looking for more pitching, this pair fits nicely.Â
Texas Rangers
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Luis ArraezÂ
The Rangers had another disappointing season, mostly due to the numerous injuries on the team. One thing that the team lacked was the ability to consistently get on base, as they were ranked 26th in the league.
How do the Rangers solve this problem? By going out and getting the best pure hitter on the market in Luis Arraez, who is a perennial contender for the batting title.
Arraez would fit in nicely next to Seager and Langford at the top of the order.
Toronto Blue Jays
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Bo Bichette
The Blue Jays were two outs away from winning the World Series, then disaster struck, and the Dodgers went on to win back-to-back titles. One of the bright spots of Game 7 was Bo Bichette’s three-run homer to give the Jays a lead.Â
Bichette, after the game, expressed how much he loves Toronto and would like to stay there for the rest of his career. Offering a big-time contract would be wise for the front office in Toronto.
Washington Nationals
Ideal Free Agent Signing: Nick Martinez
The Nationals are slowly getting the pieces together to have some sort of direction for what this team can be. With the emergence of James Wood and CJ Abrams, the offense seems to have turned a corner.Â
The pitching side, however, is where things become blurry. While they do have an ace in MacKenzie Gore, they don’t have a whole lot after.
Cole Irvin is a good player who can eat innings, but outside of him, the Nats lack depth in the rotation. Nick Martinez could be a useful option for the Nationals, with his ability to also eat innings, and could be a reliable piece in the back end of the rotation.Â