At a Glance
- MLB free agency has stretched across the winter, unlike the NBA or NFL.
- 13 teams issued qualifying offers; 4 players accepted.
- Notable moves: Pete Alonso to the Orioles, Alex Bregman to the Red Sox, and NPB stars Imai and Murakami joined the Astros and White Sox.
- Why it matters: Roster changes unfold slowly, affecting playoff races.
The 2025 MLB free-agency market has unfolded like a marathon, with teams and players moving at a measured pace. While the NBA and NFL see a flurry of signings in the first week, Major League Baseball’s deals have stretched across the winter, highlighted by 13 qualifying offers and a slew of notable transfers.
Qualifying Offers & Signings
In the latest offseason, 13 teams extended qualifying offers to their top free agents, a move designed to retain talent while keeping options open. Four of those players – Trent Grisham, Shota Imanaga, Gleyber Torres, and Brandon Woodruff – accepted the offers, solidifying their places with the Yankees, Cubs, Tigers, and Brewers, respectively.
- Trent Grisham – Yankees
- Shota Imanaga – Cubs
- Gleyber Torres – Tigers
- Brandon Woodruff – Brewers
Re-signings:
- Ha-Seong Kim – Braves
- Michael King – Padres
- Josh Naylor – Mariners
- Emilio Pagán – Reds
- Kyle Schwarber – Phillies
Player Movements
Several high-profile players found new homes, while others stayed with their clubs. Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles, Dylan Cease with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Edwin Díaz joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. Other moves included Pete Fairbanks to the Miami Marlins, Adolis García to the Phillies, and Ryan Helsley to the Orioles.
- Pete Alonso – Orioles
- Dylan Cease – Blue Jays
- Edwin Díaz – Dodgers
- Pete Fairbanks – Marlins
- Adolis García – Phillies
- Ryan Helsley – Orioles
Re-signings:
- Jorge Polanco – Mets
- Tyler Rogers – Blue Jays
- Robert Suarez – Braves
- Luke Weaver – Mets
- Devin Williams – Mets
- Mike Yastrzemski – Braves
International Signings
The winter also saw Japanese stars make the jump to MLB. Tatsuya Imai signed with the Houston Astros, and Munetaka Murakami joined the Chicago White Sox, marking a growing trend of NPB talent entering the American league.
- Tatsuya Imai – Astros
- Munetaka Murakami – White Sox
Player Performance Snapshot
Below is a snapshot of key stats from the 2024 season for the highlighted free-agents.
| Player | Position | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | RBI | SB | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Arráez | 1B | .292 | .327 | .392 | 8 | 61 | 11 | 154 |
| Harrison Bader | OF | .277 | .347 | .449 | 17 | 54 | 0 | 146 |
| Cody Bellinger | OF | .272 | .334 | .480 | 29 | 98 | 13 | 152 |
| Bo Bichette | SS | .311 | .357 | .483 | 18 | 94 | 0 | 139 |
| Alex Bregman | 3B | .273 | .360 | .462 | 18 | 62 | 0 | 114 |
| Rhys Hoskins | 1B | .237 | .332 | .416 | 12 | 43 | 0 | 90 |
| Kazuma Okamoto | 3B/1B | .277 | .361 | .521 | 248 | 717 | 0 | 1074 |
| Marcell Ozuna | DH | .232 | .355 | .400 | 21 | 68 | 0 | 145 |
| J.T. Realmuto | C | .257 | .315 | .384 | 12 | 52 | 0 | N/A |
| Kyle Tucker | OF | .266 | .377 | .464 | 22 | 73 | 25 | 154 |
| Player | Position | ERA | WHIP | K | BB | IP | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Bassitt | RHP | 3.96 | 1.327 | 166 | 52 | 170.1 | 31 |
| Zac Gallen | RHP | 4.83 | 1.260 | 175 | 66 | 192 | 33 |
| Lucas Giolito | RHP | 3.41 | 1.290 | 121 | 56 | 145 | 26 |
| Nick Martinez | RHP | 4.45 | 1.207 | 116 | 42 | 165.2 | 40 |
| Max Scherzer | RHP | 5.19 | 1.294 | 82 | 23 | 86 | 17 |
| Ranger Suarez | LHP | 3.20 | 1.220 | 151 | 38 | 157.1 | 26 |
| Framber Valdez | LHP | 3.66 | 1.245 | 187 | 68 | 192 | 31 |
| Justin Verlander | RHP | 3.85 | 1.362 | 137 | 52 | 152 | 29 |
These statistics illustrate the mix of power, contact, and pitching performance that teams weigh when making free-agency decisions.
Key Takeaways
- MLB free agency is a marathon, deals spread across the winter.
- 13 qualifying offers were issued; 4 were accepted.
- High-profile moves include Alonso to the Orioles, Imai to the Astros, and Murakami to the White Sox.
As the offseason continues, teams will keep negotiating and players will sign, reshaping rosters and setting the stage for the 2025 season.
By Megan L. Whitfield for News Of Fort Worth
