It’s now less than three weeks until pitchers and catchers report and there is still a lot of baseball business that needs to get done before players roll into camp. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names on the free-agent market who still need to make decisions about their futures:
1. Framber Valdez, LHP
Valdez is the best starting pitcher remaining on the free-agent market and his representatives have been extremely quiet, operating under the radar in their negotiations for their client. Most in the industry believe that he will eventually land with the Baltimore Orioles for fewer years than he anticipated at the beginning of free agency.
There are several other teams where he still fits, such as the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Several of those teams either don’t have the budget to make the move or are waiting for his asking price to drop. One thing is for sure, he would be a complete difference maker for the Orioles and might be the final piece they need to get back to the postseason.
2. Zac Gallen, RHP
Like Valdez, Gallen is tied to draft pick compensation because both were extended but rejected the qualifying offer. Based on the fact Gallen is coming off of a down year by his standards, it would make sense if he signed a short-term deal with an opt-out clause to get back into the market next offseason without any draft compensation attached.
The Diamondbacks would love to get him back and are considered the front-runners to re-sign him (and wouldn’t have to give up a draft pick to do it). However, several teams have shown interest, including the Orioles, Braves, Giants, Tigers and others.
3. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
Suárez is the best power hitter remaining on the market, and his most obvious fits are the Red Sox, Pirates and Mariners. After Boston lost out on both Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, it still needs one more bat, whether it be at second or third base, and Suárez would fit perfectly. He’s hit .425 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 44 plate appearances at Fenway Park — small sample size but huge results.
The Pirates have had a strong offseason, highlighted by their acquisitions of Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn, but they could really use one more power bat to give their young starting rotation more run support.
Finally, the Mariners know Suárez really well and although he didn’t hit that well for them after they acquired him at the trade deadline, they love his fit in the clubhouse and his undeniable power. His ability to play third and first base also gives them important depth. However, the Mariners also have a bevy of young infielders they want to give a runway to big-league jobs, so unless the price is right, they’ll probably walk away.
Chris Bassitt helped the Blue Jays get within a game of a World Series title. (Mark Blinch / Getty Images)
4. Chris Bassitt, RHP
Bassitt is the most underrated starting pitcher left on the open market. He has made 30 or more starts in each of the past four seasons, throwing a minimum of 170 innings in each of them. He has also won at least 10 games each of the past six full seasons and kept his ERA under 4.00 every season except one since 2018. If I’m a contending team looking for back-end rotation depth, I’m jumping all over him. His best fits could be the Padres, Orioles or Tigers. I also think he could help a rebuilding team such as the Athletics, Marlins and Angels and give them an asset come the trade deadline.
5. Justin Verlander, RHP
The future Hall of Famer finished strong last year, allowing two runs or fewer in 13 of his last 15 starts while posting a 1.78 ERA over his last six starts. He also finished the year in the 78th percentile in hard-hit percentage, demonstrating how well he’s learned to pitch without the elite stuff he had in his prime.
His presence around younger pitchers is also a real plus, but at this stage of his career he deserves to be on a contending team. A return to San Francisco or joining the Braves, Padres or Orioles could be good fits. The storybook ending would be for him to finish his career in Detroit.
6. Lucas Giolito, RHP
Giolito successfully returned from elbow surgery (internal brace) last season with Boston, although he was extremely inconsistent. He will be another year removed from surgery and threw 145 innings last season, which should give him a better chance to rebound in 2026. He’s a medical risk but does have upside and would be a good gamble for someone.
The teams that have been connected with him this offseason include the Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Tigers.
7. Max Scherzer, RHP
Here’s another future Hall of Fame starter who still has the stuff to compete at age 41. In the postseason, his fastball was in the 94-97 mph comfort zone. Due to his elite spin rate, his breaking ball can still miss bats, especially when it matters most. He’s had to endure an incredible number of injuries over the past several years but seems to always land in the postseason with someone. He’s a great influence on younger pitchers.
I do wonder at this stage of his career if he would be smart to sit out the first half of the season and then join a contender in a bullpen role for the stretch drive and playoffs. The good news is he’s not planning on retiring, at least for now, so hopefully we’ll get to watch him pitch at least one more time this season.