2027 MLB Free Agency Predictions: Where Will the Top 10 Pitchers and Hitters Sign?

1. SP / Tarik Skubal / Age: 30 / LHP / LAD Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #4 Overall Grade / 99th Percentile / #1 FA out of FA 44 SP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$39,463,000

I think this will turn into a bidding war between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. I believe those are the only teams willing to spend the demands that Skubal will be asking for. The Mets have routinely handed out $40 million checks to Bo Bichette and Juan Soto recently. The Dodgers will be the Dodgers and will always finance stars in free agency. I think it will be hard for them to say goodbye to him after only seeing him for 62 innings in 2026. I think that Tarik Skubal will end up receiving around a $45 million AAV. Per FanGraphs, the Dodgers are already expected to be at $386,156,744 in Luxury Tax Payroll. The Mets sit at around $282 million and are barely being taxed under the current CBA. According to Jeff Passan, as of November 3rd, MLB is considering delaying a salary cap and floor until 2028, as executives are uncertain now that the free agency window is open. Under the new proposal, the salary cap and floor increased by a considerable amount. The Dodgers don’t need Skubal as much as the Mets do. The Mets have Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, and still have a prospect to note in Jonah Tong. The Dodgers still have Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, and of course Yamamoto. The team also has young prospects in Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan, and Roki Sasaki. Their pitching depth is insurmountable. They could also pursue someone else in free agency who would be cheaper. I actually think that the Mets are the team that will get Skubal. I think the Dodgers have a good reason to fear the looming lockout. They have the depth and young prospects to fill a void. The team has let stars walk before, including Trea Turner, Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, and Max Scherzer. I think that Tarik Skubal will sign an 8-year, $365 million ($45.625 million AAV) deal with the Mets. The Mets are desperate for starting pitching, and the best guy on the market will surely provide it.

2. RP / Adrian Morejon / Age: 28 on Opening Day / LHP / SD Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #5 Overall Grade / 98th Percentile / #1 FA out of FA 55 RP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$11,930,000

Projecting Adrian Morejon’s market is incredibly hard. I think that him getting the QO from the San Diego Padres could scare off teams. That is $23.15 million for a non-closer reliever. I think the only way the Padres would offer him that is if they intend to make him a starter. Morejon has the stuff and nastiness to become a starter or stay as an elite backend reliever. The only problem is that while developing into a starter, he sustained multiple injuries. He had Tommy John in 2021 and an elbow sprain in 2023. Morejon threw 86 regular-season innings, which suggests he could handle a low-end innings-burning starter role. His metrics are truly off the charts, and he was statistically one of the league's most dominant southpaws. I ultimately think teams will be too scared to make him a starter, although he's enticing. I think he will end up being a closer somewhere. I believe the Tigers, Mets, and Cubs will be the teams most interested. I also think the Padres will seriously consider offering him a multi-year deal. While he won’t be the closer, he will still remain a massive part of the team. Based on recent free-agent signings, I think the Cubs will be the team he ultimately signs with. The Cubs have needed bullpen help for multiple seasons. This could be their Aroldis Chapman 2.0 as they push to make the World Series. This signing puts them in playoff and World Series contention immediately with an elite, top-end southpaw closer. Another point to note is that the team extended the QO to Seiya Suzuki, who will likely leave the Cubs. So, they will receive draft compensation from Suzuki leaving and end up breaking even by giving up draft compensation to the Padres. I think that he will receive a 3-year, $60 million deal ($20 million AAV). I think anything over $20 million is too steep. Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, Emilio Pagan, Devin Williams, and Robert Suarez all received less. That would mean he will earn less AAV than Edwin Diaz, which makes sense. I think that Morejon is entering the market better than Williams, Suarez, Pagan, Iglesias, and Helsley were.

3. RP / David Bednar / Age: 32 on Opening Day / RHP / NYY Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #19 Overall Grade / 93rd Percentile / #2 FA out of FA 55 RP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$15,705,000

David Bednar, I think, will return to the Yankees. They already extended the QO to him. I am unsure whether he will decline it, with a potential lockout looming. He might be looking for a longer-term deal for security. I think no matter what, he will be with the Yankees unless someone offers him something ridiculous. Bednar had a successful campaign with 35 saves. I think if he does sign a multi-year deal, it will be a 3-year, $51 million deal ($17 million AAV). I don’t think he'll be able to demand Adrian Morejon money. I am unsure, though. I don’t think his market will be great because of the QO the Yankees sent Bednar. Either way, I think he will be back in pinstripes come next spring.

4. RP / Steven Okert / Age: 35 on Opening Day / LHP / HOU Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #33 Overall Grade / 87th Percentile / #3 FA out of FA 55 RP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$6,673,000

I think Steven Okert could return to the Astros, but the more likely option is that he reunites with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants desperately need bullpen help and lefty options. Okert would bolster that bullpen and make them much more versatile. Okert is coming off the best year of his career at age 35. I think he will get almost exactly what his market is: a 1-year, $6.7 million deal.

5. RP / Alex Vesia / Age: 30 on Opening Day / LHP / LAD Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #34 Overall Grade / 86th percentile / #4 FA out of FA 55 RP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$7,104,000

I am going with my Seattle Mariners rebuild, where I had the Mariners sign him to a 2-year, $18.6 million deal ($9.3 million AAV). I think it could come down to a lot of teams. The Dodgers are probably at the top of that list. They really wouldn’t want to lose him, and Vesia has expressed strong interest in coming back. However, I think the Mariners could deter him, and he would still be on the West Coast in a loyal, dedicated fan base. They're consistently in the top 10 in average fan attendance. I think Vesia would really like the atmosphere and stadium. Although it will be hard to lure him out of the City of Angels. If he doesn’t go to the Dodgers or the Mariners, I could see him landing with the Chicago Cubs.

6. RP / Raisel Iglesias / Age: 37 on Opening Day / RHP / ATL Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #40 Overall Grade / 84th percentile / #5 FA out of FA 55 RP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$11,387,000

Raisel Iglesias could be a great option for teams that still want a strong closer but don’t want to give up draft pick compensation, as they would with David Bednar and Adrian Morejon. I think it will come down to a reunion with the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox. All these teams like high-velo relievers and could use more bullpen depth. I think it would be hard for the Red Sox to afford him. Other sources are projecting him to get a $16-$17 million deal, which I just can’t see. The Braves closer is only making $15 million AAV. I expect him to get $14 million with the Braves unless he goes somewhere else as a closer, which the Blue Jays and Red Sox already have their closer fulfilled. I think he ultimately returns to the Braves on a 1-year, $14 million deal.

7. SP / Trevor Rogers / Age: 29 on Opening Day / LHP / BAL Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #33 Overall Grade / 84th Percentile / #4 FA out of FA 44 SP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$26,311,000

Trevor Rogers will be one of the top available starters on the market and will get paid well because of it. He is still under 30, and his expected metrics suggest he was getting unlucky. Just a season ago, in 109.2 IP, he had a sub-2 ERA. Trevor Rogers will demand a good market. I don’t think that a reunion with the Marlins is likely. They only have one free agent coming off the board, and they are already around where they normally spend. I think if a floor is implemented, they could get involved, but right now, cheap ownership will likely stick with their guns. I could see him returning to the Orioles, who always pursue starting pitchers aggressively. I could also see the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers getting involved, especially if the Mets can't land Tarik Skubal. The team could really use another starter. They already lost Skubal and Casey Mize at the deadline and could use another lefty starter to pair with Framber Valdez, Troy Melton, and Keider Montero. I think it will likely come down to the Tigers and Orioles. Both of these teams should have the money to pursue Rogers. The Orioles attached the QO to him, which I think could ultimately do just enough to scare off the Tigers, who really like having top prospects and a good farm system. I think the Orioles will sign him to a 4-year, $88 million ($ 22 million AAV) deal. I think other sites are undervaluing him. He is entering the market with a similar fWAR to guys like Michael King, Ranger Suarez, and Dylan Cease.

8. RP / Gregory Soto / Age: 32 on Opening Day / LHP / PIT Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #45 Overall Grade / 82nd Percentile / #6 FA out of FA 55 RP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$13,843,000

I have always been a big Gregory Soto fan, so I am glad the data and analytics back that up. His FIP, SIERA, and xERA all suggest he was getting unlucky. He ended with a 3.63 ERA and 1.3 fWAR. I don’t see him getting a closer deal. However, I could see him fitting with the Seattle Mariners, or in a reunion with the Pirates, Red Sox, Cubs, or Phillies. While the Phillies have good bullpen pieces, many of them are right-handed pitchers. They could really use a lefty to pair with them, and I think Duran, Soto, and Bowlan could make a three-headed monster. I also think the Red Sox will be a legit candidate to shell out some money to him. The team desperately needed more lefties in the postseason bullpen. They ended up relying on Alec Gamboa and Erik Miller, who simply could not get the job done. Soto would immediately fill that void and play to their infield fielding strengths. As a Red Sox fan, I absolutely love the idea of him being added, and there aren’t many lefty reliever options outside of Morejon, Okert, and Vesia. So, I am going to project Soto to sign with the Red Sox on a 2-year, $23 million deal ($11.5 million AAV).

9. SP / Michael Soroka / Age: 29 on Opening Day / RHP / ARI Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #41 Overall Grade / 80th Percentile / #3 FA out of FA 44 SP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$19,982,000

Michael Soroka was one of the only bright spots in the Diamondbacks rotation this season. Soroka has an average fastball, but he uses a 6-pitch mix to confuse hitters and keep them on their toes. In a relatively hitter-friendly ballpark, he still put up good numbers. I do expect him to regress into a true number 4 pitcher. His SIERA and xERA suggest it. Although his fielding wasn’t great, he has 2 Gold Glove Award-winning defenders, at least one of which I think shouldn’t have been awarded (Corbin Carroll). He chewed up a good amount of innings. He has also had injuries that derailed his career. I could see him going to a mid-market team like the Tigers, Twins, or Nationals, but I think the most likely landing spot is back on his original team, the Atlanta Braves. I think the Braves, aside from Chris Sale, were extremely lacking starting pitchers. Which is exactly why I think he would be a great fit for them. I could see the D-Backs offering him a contract, but I think it will be cheaper than what the Braves will hand out. I think he ends up getting a 2-year, $34 million deal ($17.0 million AAV). I think if he didn’t have injury problems and pitched multiple full seasons in the last 3 seasons, he could have earned $20-$25 million AAV.

10. SP / Kevin Gausman / Age: 36 on Opening Day / RHP / CHC Previous Team /

• DPG Ranks: #46 Overall Grade / 78th Percentile / #4 FA out of FA 44 SP /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$18,967,000

Kevin Gausman has always been one of my favorite pitchers in the league. He has that rising fastball/split-finger combo that just always seems to work. Every time I can remember, he dominated us when he played against the Red Sox. He seemed unlucky this season. His metrics were the best they have been in three years, and yet this was his worst ERA season out of the three. He is losing velocity, but he was still effective. He still gets a lot of chase and strikes out people at 24.5%, which is in the 66th percentile among qualified pitchers. The Cubs did not offer him a qualifying offer, so he will hit the free agent market this season. I could see him getting a 3-year, $55.5 million deal ($18.5 million AAV). The teams I could see offering him this deal are the Boston Red Sox, Orioles, and Cubs. I could also see the Tigers and Padres throwing their hat in there. I think the Red Sox make a lot of sense, as they need a Sonny Gray replacement to fill in that #4 or #5 spot in their rotation. They already have Garrett Crochet, Payton Tolle, and Ranger Suarez as their three-headed monster. The #4 will be up to him and second-year starter Jake Bennett unless they trade him this offseason. I really don’t know who will sign him; I think the Red Sox are more likely than the Cubs since they weren’t willing to give him a qualifying offer. So I think the Red Sox sign him, since they badly need more righties in their rotation. The Red Sox will sign him to a 3-year, $55.5 million deal.

Honorable Mentions In Order: Sonny Gray (Padres), Jonathan Loaisiga (Yankees), Shota Imanaga (Tigers), Emilio Pagan (Reds), and Foster Griffin (Rockies)

1. RF / Seiya Suzuki / Age: 32 on Opening Day / R/R / CHC Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #22 Overall Grade / 89th Percentile / #1 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$27,490,000

Seiya Suzuki is easily the best bat in the class and had another very productive season for what has seemingly been 4 years in a row. He ended with a 134 wRC+, .340 xwOBA, and .841 OPS. Some people think that Teruaki Sato is the best, which I just can’t really see. Most guys who make it to MLB after playing against Japanese pitchers and using a smaller ball tend to struggle a little. Not because they aren’t talented enough, but there is an adjustment period. While Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami were able to barrel up the ball at an insane clip, they were still striking out at an alarming rate, and both of their averages were sub .240. Suzuki has been in the league 5 seasons and has been a well-above-average hitter every season. This is the first season of his career in which he was a Gold Glove-type fielder. I actually predicted he would win it over Corbin Carroll, but that didn’t happen. If Suzuki can sustain being both a Gold Glove-caliber fielder and an elite run-producing hitter, he will reward whatever team he signs with. The only thing is, I can only see a couple of teams signing him. The Cubs did attach the QO, which means they will receive draft pick compensation from whatever team signs him, as Suzuki will likely reject the offer in search of a multi-year deal. Suzuki in the past has been adamant about being an outfielder and not just a DH. At the 2024 Winter Meetings, Suzuki’s camp was discontent when the Cubs planned to move him to full-time DH in favor of Kyle Tucker as the full-time right fielder. So, I think he and his camp will want a destination where he will be a full-time outfielder. I think the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies are the only likely options. The Mariners and Red Sox simply can’t afford him unless they make some serious trades to dump current expensive salaries. I think the Blue Jays and Mets are too clogged in the outfield and would try to DH him. I don’t think the Cubs want to pursue a long-term deal with him. I think the result will be that the Philadelphia Phillies ultimately sign him. I think he would have actually hit more home runs in Philly. The team needs an everyday right fielder, and Bryan De La Cruz isn’t really doing the job. I think he signs a 5-year, $120 million deal ($24 million AAV) with the Phillies.

2. 1B / Jake Bauers / Age: 31 on Opening Day / L/L / MIL Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #30 Overall Grade / 85th Percentile / #2 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$14,690,000

I would be careful handing out overly expensive contracts to Jake Bauers. He definitely had a successful 2026 campaign, but it was easily the best season in his career, and players seem to decline once they leave Milwaukee, so I wouldn’t bank on him having the same 143 wRC+, .371 xwOBA, .873 OPS, and 3.6 fWAR type season. Diamond Projection has his projected WAR at 2.1. FanGraphs has his projected fWAR at 2.2. I still think he's a good addition wherever he goes, but don’t expect a similar slash line to last season; who knows, maybe he carries his postseason performance into next year. I think the only two teams that would consider signing him are the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. I ultimately think he will return to the Brewers, but not before he declines his QO. I think he will accept a team-friendly deal. Around a 3-year, $49.5 million deal ($16.5 million AAV).

3. 1B / Ty France / Age: 32 on Opening Day / R/R / SD Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #33 Overall Grade / 83rd Percentile / #3 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$16,435,000

Ty France, in his return to the Padres, probably had his best season since 2021. Over the last two seasons, Ty France has been one of the best defensive first basemen in the NL/AL. I think that he should have a fairly big market, because he had a career year and was elite defensively. France has relatively average expected metrics. Hovering around the 50th percentile in xwOBA, xBA, and xSLG. France generated a lot of hard contact and had a career-high 3.6 fWAR, 141 wRC+, and 21 HRs. Diamond Projections expects Ty France, like Jake Bauers, to regress to 2.2 WAR in 2027. FanGraphs projects him to regress to 1.4 fWAR in 2027. The one aspect of his game Bauers lacks is his fielding. As long as he keeps his fielding, he should still receive a good contract. I believe the top most likely teams are the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets. Since the Mets lost Alonso, they have needed a first baseman to stabilize their infield. Adding a well-above-average glove and decent bat could definitely be on their list. I think that France signs a very similar deal with the New York Mets or Padres. For the sake of the article, I will say the Mets and say he signs a 3-year, $48.0 million deal ($16.0 million AAV).

4. LF / Randy Arozarena / Age: 32 on Opening Day / R/R/ SEA Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #43 Overall Grade / 78th Percentile / #4 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: $25,403,000

Randy Arozarena had the best offensive year of his career. However, there are things to note about him. Arozarena has struggled in certain areas of his game. Specifically, his sprint speed has been plummeting since 2022. I understand he's gotten older, but I think some of it comes from a lack of effort. Nevertheless, he was extremely productive. Ending with a 151 wRC+, .348 xwOBA, .865 OPS, 26 SBs, and a 5.5 fWAR. Arozarena will be one of the highest-valued bats in the FA class. FanGraphs and Diamond Projections project a regression, but FanGraphs expects a really steep one. FanGraphs projects a 2.4 fWAR in 2027, and Diamond Projections projects a 3.7 WAR. So he is expected to regress, and for good reason. He has bad defense (-5 OAA and -2 DRS), lacks speed, and his having the best season of his career at 32. He is walking less, barreling up the ball less, and his bat speed is down. Arozarena’s bat speed is down because he changed his swing path and philosophy, but it's still worth noting. I still think he is a good player and has a couple of years left, but I am concerned that he might play worse after getting a bag this offseason. I think if all the other signings happen as I predicted, he will end up with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants would have liked to get Seiya Suzuki, but they've gotten just as big a splash player as the Phillies did. If the Phillies don’t get Suzuki, I could easily see them getting Arozarena. Arozarena also got the QO extended, like Suzuki. I also think the Blue Jays could get him. I think he signs a 4-year, $85.4 million deal ($21.35 million AAV) with the Giants.

5. C / Ryan Jeffers / Age: 29 on Opening Day / R/R / MIN Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #46 Overall Grade / 76th Percentile / #5 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$13,255,000

Ryan Jeffers has been a Twin his whole career, which is why the Twins would attach the QO. Jeffers has also been a very reliable catcher for the team for 3 out of the last 4 seasons. His defense hasn’t been the best, but he's still been a very good catcher for them. Jeffers is still under 30, and he will be on Opening Day. Jeffers had a 2.6 fWAR, 128 wRC+, .344 xwOBA, and .814 OPS. Both FanGraphs and Diamond Projections expect a very slight regression, but nothing extreme. I think he might end up getting overpaid as well. I think he is gonna end up making $13-18 million when he should only be getting $9.7 million. The Twins extended the QO to him, which I think might be very enticing since that is way more AAV than he will likely earn in 2027. I think the teams that could be interested in him are the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Angels, and Phillies. I don’t think the Twins will bring him back on a multi-year deal, as MLB prospect Vahn Lackey is projected to be ready for the Twins by 2028. The Phillies will surely be interested, especially since J.T. Realmuto has been declining every year. Astros, Angels, and Rangers don’t really have long-term options at the position. I actually think the Angels are gonna end up getting him. Under new management, they are expected to spend a lot more money, and they currently have the finances to do it now that Rendon, Moncada, and Robert Stephenson are off the books. Jeffers would fill a need in a position Travis d’Arnaud and Tyler Heineman have struggled to hold down. I think the Angels sign him to a 4-year, $62.0 million deal ($15.5 million AAV).

6. 2B / Brandon Lowe / Age: 32 on Opening Day / L/R / PIT Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #48 Overall Grade / 75th Percentile / #6 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$22,812,000

Brandon Lowe is another free agent coming off easily his best year yet. Lowe had a Gold Glove-level season while also being a well-above-average productive hitter. He had a 121 wRC+, .331 xwOBA, +13 DRS, .824 OPS, and +15 OAA. Brandon Lowe is also expected to regress, but not as much as others. Diamond Projections projects him to regress from a 4.9 fWAR to a 3.2 fWAR, while FanGraphs projects him to a 2.6 fWAR. I really like Brandon Lowe; he now has a reliable glove to bank on. His offense might regress a little, but the pop will still be there. He consistently produces a high exit velocity, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and above-average bat speed. Any team would consider him. I think the only two likely destinations are the Pirates and the Yankees. As much as this pains me to say, I think he will end up signing with the Yankees. I don’t think the Pirates are willing to break the franchise record for the largest free agent contract ever given out. The Yankees don’t have much room to work with, but they'll pay for Lowe. Lowe also fits the short porch “Little League Park” well. I think he signs a 3-year, $67.5 million deal ($22.5 million AAV). The Yankees will have to give up draft considerations to the Pirates since they did give him the QO.

7. 3B / Teruaki Sato / Age: 28 on Opening Day / L/R / NPB (Japanese League) /

• DPH Ranks: NA
• Spotrac Market Value: NA

Teruaki Sato will be posted this winter after playing for the Hanshin Tigers in the NPB. Sato will be a frontline player this offseason. In a weaker class, someone who lit up the stat sheet this season is sure to be paid well and land with a big-market team. Sato is likely to win back-to-back MVPs in the NPB; he won a Gold Glove and the Triple Crown this past season. Sato had a remarkable 196 wRC+, .432 wOBA (not xwOBA), .992 OPS, 39 HRs, and 106 RBIs. Sato, if you are going off of stats, is easily the best player in the class. However, it is hard to place these guys in an MLB setting. He has a 26.7% strikeout percentage. So, there is definitely gonna be some strikeouts when it comes to him. Another tough aspect is that many scouts aren't impressed with his fielding. He played primarily third base, first base, and the outfield. I think his market will be stronger than Okamoto and Murakami’s was last season. Because Japanese players have proved they are legit, and the concerns that scared away a lot of organizations with Murakami have been slightly put to bed. What I will say is both Okamoto and Murakami were not plus fielders; both had negative fielding run value. I think that Sato’s K rate is gonna reach 30% in the MLB. For some teams, that will be enough to scare them off. However, I think he'll hit 30 homers, or maybe a little less. Both Murakami and Okamoto have proven that their power can play at the MLB level. I think the top options are the Phillies, Yankees, and Padres. I really want to say the Yankees are going to sign him, but I simply don’t know. I think he will end up with the Padres, who are always willing to sign overseas players. I estimate he will get a 4-year, $70 million deal ($17.5 million AAV).

8. 2B / Luis Arraez / Age: 29 on Opening Day / S/R / PHI Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #56 Overall Grade / 71st Percentile / #9 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$18,030,000

Luis Arraez remains one of baseball's most polarizing players. Arraez will hit for average no matter what. He came extremely close to winning his 4th batting title. The biggest difference from 2025 Arraez to now is that he was an elite fielder this year. Ending with +12 OAA. He still had a very productive season. He had a 4.1 fWAR, 110 wRC+, .764 OPS, and .307 xwOBA. Many teams will want a solid fielder and a guy who can consistently get on base about ⅓ of the time. I think Arraez's top landing spots are the Phillies and Giants. I don’t realistically think the Red Sox will go after him when they have Story, Sogard, Campbell, and others who can at least sort of play second. I think the Yankees will want Brandon Lowe's power over Arraez, so Arraez will likely return to the Phillies. I think he signs a 3-year, $54 million deal ($18 million AAV). I think the Phillies will value what he did for their team. He stepped in and immediately made a difference after the trade. That is about a $6 million raise from the prior year.

9. DH / Joc Pederson / Age: 34 on Opening Day / L/L / TEX Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #74 Overall Grade / 62nd Percentile / #14 FA out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$9,362,000

Joc Pederson had another very solid year at the plate. He is still essentially unusable against left-handed pitchers. So, he will still likely remain a platoon hitter. He also still can’t really field. He can play first base, but he isn’t great at it. So, essentially, you are paying for a .834 OPS and a 25 home-run power-hitting right-handed pitcher masher. I think he will actually get paid less than he is projected to. I simply can’t see people handing out that much money to a pure righty pitching DH, but we will just have to wait and see. He still produced runs, finishing with a 1.4 fWAR, 128 wRC+, .343 xwOBA, and .816 OPS. I could see him going to the Mariners, but I don’t think they should pursue another lefty power hitter; they desperately need a right-handed power hitter. I think the most likely teams are actually the Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays. I say the Red Sox because they've desperately been missing a lefty power hitter for two seasons in a row. The departure of Rafael Devers and the injury to Triston Casas have created a major hole in the lineup. Wilyer Abreu can fill that void sort of, but he is far too inconsistent to be the standard of lefty they need. Roman Anthony could be that guy, but if he keeps struggling with injuries, I think it is still too unfair to put as much pressure on him as they have been. I think Joc Pederson could actually stabilize this lineup a lot. I think it will come down to the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays because the Red Sox don’t have much spending room. I'd appreciate his services on the Sox, but I think he will end up going to the Blue Jays on a 1-year, $9.0 million deal.

10. 2B / Jazz Chisholm Jr. / Age: 29 on Opening Day / L/R / NYY Previous Team /

• DPH Ranks: #81 Overall Grade / 58th Percentile / #12 out of 75 Hitters /
• Spotrac Market Value: ~$17,447,000

Jazz Chisholm Jr. didn’t have a 50/50 like he said he would, but he did have a 19/41 season, if that is even a thing. Chisholm Jr. probably actually had one of the worst seasons of his career in another contract year. I don’t really know where he could go. He still has an elite glove. He still has good bat speed, exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and draws plenty of walks. Even though he is a Yankee, he's one of my favorite players in the league. I genuinely found him so fun to watch on the Marlins. The league is a lot more entertaining when Jazz is having a .800+ season. Anyways, he had a 98 wRC+, .216 xBA, 3.5 fWAR, .294 xwOBA, and a .711 OPS. He had a significant down year from last year. He was a better fielder in 2026, but a worse overall hitter aside from his work on the basepaths. Chisholm Jr. signed a 1-year, $10.2 million deal last season as a better hitter. I simply can’t see him making that much more. Some sites expect him to make $18-$23 million. I think if you spend more than $21 million on Jazz, you're really overspending. I don’t think there is any chance he comes back to the Yankees. I think the three most likely options are the Diamondbacks, Angels, and Detroit Tigers. I truly just love the idea of him on the Angels. I think he fits that ballpark pretty well, although Savant’s Expected Home Runs by park doesn’t fit that narrative at all. By that logic, I think he will end up going to the Diamondbacks. They will likely need another second baseman, since I think Ketel Marte’s time in Phoenix is nearly done. So, I could see the D-Backs signing Chisholm Jr. to a 2-year, $ 40 million deal ($20 million).

Honorable Mentions In order:

• Josh Bell (Astros), Paul Goldschmidt (Yankees), Gleyber Torres (Rangers), Mauricio Dubon (Braves), and Edmundo Sosa (Mets).