Every team’s biggest impending free agent for 2026-27

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With the regular season winding down, it’s time to take a look ahead to the offseason. Every team is set to lose at least one key contributor in free agency, with some teams expected to have several stars hit the open market.

Factoring in the likelihood of any options or opt-out clauses being exercised, here’s a look at each team’s most significant player set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

American League East

Blue Jays: OF/DH
2027 seasonal age: 37

It's been a rough year for almost everyone in Toronto, and with Springer's six-year, $150 million contract expiring at the end of the season, any club considering him -- the Blue Jays included -- has to wonder how much he has left in the tank. He rebounded brilliantly in 2025, hitting .309 with 32 home runs and a .959 OPS (159 OPS+); this year he's been much more subdued (.234 AVG, 12 HR, .713 OPS). Although a 37-year-old is likely to be the oldest player on his roster, plenty of guys in their late 30s and early 40s have made major contributions as full-time designated hitters, as Springer is likely to remain going forward. The complicating factor is his injury history.

Orioles: LHP
2027 seasonal age: 29

The Orioles defied all expectations by holding onto Rogers at the Deadline, and the flashes of brilliance he's shown in his career -- plus the fact that he's a left-handed starter -- are likely to draw a lot of attention this winter. His numbers on the season are middling, but since the beginning of June, he's been as effective as anyone, posting a 2.28 ERA in 11 starts. As far as other potential free agents, closer , who's missed the majority of the season with right elbow inflammation, isn't likely to opt out of the $14 million he could get from Baltimore in 2027; whether the club will exercise its $7.5 million option on first baseman , who played eight games before breaking his foot and more recently significantly strained his oblique while rehabbing, is less certain.

Rays: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 31

As good as has been (11-3, 2.65 ERA), he has a $20 million mutual option for 2027 that will probably still appeal to both parties as he heads into his age 36 season. Meanwhile, the recently acquired Peralta is navigating his first true down year as a starter; after allowing seven earned runs in his Rays debut, he has a 5.37 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and a career-low 8.9 K/9. This one subpar season is unlikely to make clubs completely forget about his much stronger track record with the Brewers from 2021-25, but it could make him more inclined to accept a shorter-term deal to rebuild his case for a more impressive payout in the future.

Red Sox: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 37

The Red Sox are low on unrestricted free agents this year, with the Adley Rutschman deal bringing them up to three -- left-hander (fresh off a two-year injury absence), infielder (currently on the IL) and catcher . But Gray, earning $25 million in 2026, has a $30 million mutual option for the 2027 season. Steep as that sounds for a 37-year-old with over 2,000 innings on his arm, he's been effective enough (14-2, 2.78 ERA) for a team with an otherwise young staff to consider picking it up.

Yankees: INF
2027 seasonal age: 29

Following a 30-30 season in 2025, a big 2026 campaign might have set Chisholm up for a major payday. But although the power and speed have shown up (17 HR, 30 SB), he's having a down year in the contact department, and the Yankees don't have a second base prospect knocking on the door, making him a solid candidate to receive a so-called "pillow contract" in the form of a qualifying offer. It would certainly simplify things for a club that is facing a potential mass exodus of key contributors. (who has already received and accepted a qualifying offer), , , , , and are all set to hit the market this winter.

AL Central

Guardians: LHP
2027 seasonal age: 31

After spending three years in Japan, Griffin signed a one-year deal with the Nationals and became a major success story, becoming a reliable starter for Washington and earning an NL All-Star selection. Dealt to the Guardians just ahead of Monday’s Trade Deadline, Griffin -- who has a 3.31 ERA in 23 starts -- is one of Cleveland’s few pending free agents, a group that includes relievers Shawn Armstrong and Colin Holderman, first baseman Rhys Hoskins and fellow Deadline acquisition Nathaniel Lowe.

Royals: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 34

Estévez enjoyed an All-Star 2025, posting a 2.45 ERA and saving an MLB-high 42 games for Kansas City, but his 2026 has been plagued by injury. The right-hander appeared in just one game, allowing six earned runs and recording only one out, and promptly landed on the injured list with a left foot contusion. He suffered a right rotator cuff strain in his first rehab appearance and has only recently returned to the mound. Estévez has a $13 million club option for 2027, but after a rough year, the Royals are likely to buy out his contract for $2 million and make the veteran reliever a free agent.

Tigers: 2B
2027 seasonal age: 30

The Tigers brought back Torres for 2026 on a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer after a solid 2025 with the club, but the second baseman is set to hit the open market again this offseason. Torres has missed substantial time in 2026, landing on the IL twice with a left oblique strain, but he has delivered solid production when healthy. He was a rumored trade candidate for a team that shipped away starters and at the Deadline, but Torres wasn’t traded and will instead hit free agency for the third time in his career.

Twins: C
2027 seasonal age: 30

A left hamate bone fracture in May hasn’t slowed down Jeffers, who has been one of the best-hitting catchers in MLB in 2026. Despite numerous trade rumors involving the backstop, the Twins -- who publicly announced their commitment to buying at the Deadline -- held onto Jeffers, who is set to become a free agent for the first time. Lefty relievers and will also hit the open market, but the Twins have their other key players locked up through at least 2027.

White Sox: LHP
2027 seasonal age: 34

Most of the White Sox young core is under contract through next season or well beyond, but a few pitchers are on expiring deals: right-handers and , as well as the lefty Newcomb. The southpaw is in his 10th Major League season, and after beginning his career as a starter with the Braves, he has been excellent in relief for the White Sox. Pitching on a one-year, $4.5 million deal with Chicago, Newcomb is in line for a solid payday this offseason, whether it’s from the White Sox or a new club.

AL West

Angels: INF
2027 seasonal age: 32

Moncada has missed a lot of time due to injuries over the past several years. This season, he’s been sidelined since late May and is recovering from right knee surgery. Still, he’s only a year removed from posting a .783 OPS with 12 home runs in 289 plate appearances and can play both second and third base. He may very well be looking at a one-year contract or a Minor League deal with incentives.

Astros: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 30

From 2022-25, Abreu established himself as one of the game’s premier setup men and helped Houston win the World Series in ’22. Over that stretch, the right-hander pitched to a 2.30 ERA over 281 2/3 innings, striking out 34% of the batters he faced and limiting opponents to a .197 batting average. But he got off to a rough start this season, with an ERA over 6.00 by mid-June. Since June 20, though, he’s been much better -- in 17 appearances since then, his ERA is 1.02.

Athletics: C
2027 seasonal age: 32

In 2023, Heim was an All-Star, a Gold Glove Award winner behind the plate and a World Series champion with the Rangers. He wasn’t nearly as productive over the next two seasons and was non-tendered by Texas. He’s been with the Braves and Athletics this year, and his performance at the plate -- while not resembling his ’23 campaign, when he hit 18 homers and drove in 95 runs -- has bounced back some. He’s hit 11 homers, equaling his output last season in 161 fewer at-bats. Catching depth always seems to be in demand, and he might benefit from that this offseason.

Mariners: OF
2027 seasonal age: 32

Arozarena had a “down” year by his standards in 2024, when he was traded midseason from the Rays to the Mariners. But he’s bounced back since then with a pair of All-Star campaigns. Last year, he posted a .760 OPS with 27 homers in his first full season with Seattle. He’s been even better so far in 2026, with an OPS over .800. With his track record, including his notable postseason success, Arozarena should be in the market for a multiyear deal.

Rangers: LHP
2027 seasonal age: 32

Alexander has enjoyed a breakout season this year -- his eighth in the Majors -- with a 3.20 ERA over 52 appearances (four starts) for the Rangers. His FIP has been even better, at 2.71. He keeps the ball off the barrel, limits walks and has one of the highest ground ball rates in the big leagues (54.9%). All attractive attributes if you’re in the market for relief pitching.

National League East

Braves: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 37

The odds of the Braves declining their unbelievably team-friendly $17 million option on are so low they may as well be negative; the same goes for ' $7 million club option. Iglesias, on the other hand, is free to go if he so chooses, and despite where he is on the aging curve, he could well demand a high price on the open market. Since the Braves acquired him from the Angels in 2022, Iglesias has posted a 2.39 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP and 9.8 strikeouts per nine. Other notable Braves who could be on their way out this winter: Deadline acquisitions and and two-time Gold Glover .

Marlins: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 31

Former Cy Young Award winner Alcantara and veteran reliever are the only big league free agents remaining on Miami's roster. For the Marlins, picking up their longtime ace's $21 million club option will probably be a no-brainer, especially now that he's looking more like himself (12-6, 3.68 ERA, MLB-high 156 2/3 IP). Given the news that the club was never open to moving him at the Deadline, it's hard to imagine anything else.

Mets: OF
2027 seasonal age: 29

Admittedly, the Mets do have a more significant impending free agent, but given the general disappointment surrounding his first year in New York, is unlikely to opt out of the $42 million he's owed in 2027. After a busy Deadline, all that's left is Robert, who has a $20 million club option lined up for next season. He also missed nearly three months of the season due to a herniated disc, recently returning on July 20, and in his 38 games played for the Mets this year, he's hitting .203 with four home runs. There's time for him to heat up and make this a tougher decision for the Mets, but with and settling into full-time roles in his absence, it's unlikely his services will be highly valued in New York.

Nationals: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 31

With the recent decision to release , Williams is lined up to be the Nationals' only unrestricted free agent to hit the market this winter. The veteran right-hander has one great season under his belt -- his 2018 campaign with the Pirates, in which he posted a 3.11 ERA in 31 starts -- but has spent about as much time on the injured list as he has on the field in the years since. He has recently returned in a bulk relief role following a July 2025 internal bracing procedure on his right elbow; how he performs and whether he's able to find a defined role in the final two months of the season will have a lot to do with what happens next.

Phillies: INF
2027 seasonal age: 30

The Phillies are Arraez's fifth club in eight seasons, so the demand for his free-swinging, high-contact approach is clearly there, and it's likely only to grow if he follows through on winning a fourth batting title. Add in his complete transformation as a defender -- going from a middle infielder often hidden at first base to one of the most efficient second basemen in the league -- and it starts to sound like he could fit in any lineup.

NL Central

Brewers: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 34

Woodruff announced in mid-July that he would need a second surgery on his right shoulder, which knocked the right-hander out for the rest of 2026 and potentially beyond. Woodruff said he isn’t ready to call it a career, but the two-time All-Star, a pending free agent, might not be back with the Brewers in 2027. After a delayed start to the season, Woodruff had a 2.98 ERA in nine starts in 2026, striking out 47 in 45 1/3 innings. Depending on the length of his latest recovery process, he could be back in time to help a club next season.

Cardinals: INF
2027 seasonal age: 33

The Cardinals don’t have much in the way of pending free agents, as only Urías and Trade Deadline acquisition are set to hit the market this offseason. Still rehabbing from lateral epicondylitis in both elbows, Urías has appeared in just 25 games for St. Louis with a .158/.279/.316 slash line. The versatile infielder -- a Gold Glover for the Orioles in 2022 -- should make it back before the end of the season, giving him a chance to showcase his skills for his upcoming free agency.

Cubs: OF
2027 seasonal age: 32

Suzuki is just one of several key Cubs hitting free agency, including lefty , outfielder and righty , who was acquired from the Blue Jays at the Deadline. In the final season of a five-year, $85 million deal with Chicago, the former Nippon Professional Baseball star has been a consistent producer since coming to MLB. With many teams in search of a right-handed-hitting outfielder, Suzuki should be in high demand when he hits the open market. A reunion with a surging Cubs team is a strong possibility.

Pirates: 2B
2027 seasonal age: 32

One of the best-hitting second basemen in the Majors, Lowe -- a two-time All-Star who finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in 2020 and 2021 -- has been a welcome addition to the Pirates’ lineup since being acquired in an offseason trade with Tampa Bay. With his six-year, $24 million extension ending in 2026, Lowe is the highest-profile Pirate set to hit free agency this offseason. Lefty reliever and trade pickup are also on expiring contracts, but Lowe will definitely be a priority and could be re-signed if he seeks a return to the Pirates.

Reds: 3B
2027 seasonal age: 35

Suárez’s contract includes a $16 million mutual option to return to the Reds in 2027, but it’s unlikely he and Cincinnati will both choose to exercise it. After slugging 49 home runs between the D-backs and Mariners in 2025, the veteran third baseman returned to Cincy on a one-year, $15 million deal but has struggled in his second stint with the Reds, entering Saturday batting just .205 with only 15 home runs and an OPS below .700. If Suárez does opt into his end of next year’s deal, the Reds likely won’t spend $16 million to bring him back, so Suárez appears to again be headed for free agency. Is there still more left in his bat?

NL West

D-backs: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 31

It’s been a mysterious decline in performance for Gallen over the past couple of years. The right-hander finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2023, when he helped Arizona make a surprising World Series run. He had two top-10 Cy Young Award finishes in two of the previous three years, as well. But since the beginning of the 2024 campaign, Gallen hasn’t been the same, posting a 4.77 ERA over 80 starts across that span. He’s currently on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. He’ll likely have to prove himself with a shorter deal this offseason, but given his track record, he should certainly garner interest.

Dodgers: LHP
2027 seasonal age: 30

Skubal was the biggest name dealt prior to this year’s Trade Deadline, and now that he’s with the Dodgers, there is of course the chance that he inks an extension to remain in L.A.’s star-studded starting rotation for years to come. The reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner missed significant time this season after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, but he’s still one of the best starters in baseball. He will accordingly command a large price tag in free agency.

Giants: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 33

Brubaker is enjoying the best season of his career with the Giants this year. Over 35 appearances (one start) for San Francisco, he owns a 3.27 ERA. He’s only given up four home runs over 55 innings, limiting hard contact and deploying an effective mix of offspeed pitches. Given that he’ll be entering his age-33 campaign next year and he’s a reliever, it seems he’ll likely be in line for a short-term contract going forward, but he should receive strong interest.

Padres: LHP
2027 seasonal age: 35

Ray rejuvenated his season after a rough May, in which his ERA was 6.44 over six starts for the Giants. Over an eight-start span from June 16 to July 30, he was dominant, posting a 1.09 ERA and upping his trade value significantly ahead of the Deadline. The left-hander, who won the AL Cy Young Award while with the Blue Jays in 2021, has shown he still might have more in the tank heading into his age-35 season. His free agency will be interesting given his track record and age, with the former suggesting he could be a difference-maker in a rotation and the latter adding some uncertainty to the mix.

Rockies: RHP
2027 seasonal age: 37

Free-agent pitchers coming from Colorado are always fascinating cases since they’ve been pitching their home games in the most hitter-friendly venue in the Majors, Coors Field. But Sugano, whom the Rockies signed to a one-year deal this past offseason, seems to have figured out how to limit damage in his home ballpark. In 10 starts there this season, his ERA is 3.93. Still -- and counterintuitively -- his ERA on the road is much higher, at 5.13. The right-hander could be viewed as a solid back-end starter this offseason.