AL East
1 of 6
Toronto Blue Jays: Bo Bichette, Stay
The Blue Jays retained Bichette last offseason when many thought they should blow up their core. He’s rewarded them by rebounding from a disappointing 2024 season and leading the league in hits for a team that looks like a World Series contender.
Bichette has long been seen as a potential target for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he gave a revealing quote to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson earlier this year about his future in Toronto:
“My priorities have always been to win, to be part of an organization that has that same goal in mind and I want to play in an exciting environment. We’re checking all those boxes. It’s a special time right now and the fans are definitely making their case known.”
The Blue Jays have struggled to attract free agents in recent years but remain aggressive spenders, and they will do what it takes to re-sign Bichette.
New York Yankees: Cody Bellinger, Stay
Bellinger may never recapture his MVP form, but he’s had a strong first season in the Bronx—hitting .279 with 26 home runs, 83 RBI, and an .837 OPS. He’s also displayed tremendous defensive flexibility.
Bellinger is expected to opt out of the final $25 million he’s scheduled to make in 2026, the final year of a three-year, $80 million deal. He may be looking at another similar deal in terms of length, but he only just turned 30 and won’t have a qualifying offer attached to him.
So, the Yankees should be motivated to retain Bellinger, unless they have a bigger play—such as Kyle Tucker—in mind.
Boston Red Sox: Alex Bregman, Stay
It’s been an excellent first season in Boston for Bregman, who has posted an .868 OPS and played strong defense at third base.
He’s a lock to opt out of the final two years of his $120 million deal, and he will make out better in free agency this time because he is coming off of a better season and won’t have a qualifying offer attached to him.
But for as much as it feels like the Red Sox almost have too much position talent, they moved on from Rafael Devers and manager Alex Cora has a long-standing relationship with Bregman dating back to their time in Houston.
There will be other suitors, but the Red Sox should be seen as the favorites for Bregman.
Tampa Bay Rays: Adrian Houser, Go
The Rays traded Danny Jansen to the Milwaukee Brewers, and let Ha-Seong Kim—who likely wasn’t going to opt out anyway—go on waivers to the Atlanta Braves.
Houser is really their only notable free agent, and considering he has posted a 4.85 ERA over five starts since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox, he’ll probably not be re-signed.
Baltimore Orioles: Zach Eflin, Go
The book on Eflin has always been that he’s a really talented pitcher who struggles to stay healthy. This year was no different, as his season has concluded by a lumbar microdiscectomy after posting a 5.93 ERA over 14 starts.
There will be some team that takes a flier on him on a one-year deal in the offseason, but considering the Orioles need more certainty in their starting rotation, Baltimore probably won’t be it.
