Feb 25, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) warm up before the start of the spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals the at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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The biggest names in MLB heading to free agency in 2026

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kyle Tucker headline this list.

The 2024 and 2025 classes have already featured some massive names, but the 2026 group is set to be yet another high-stakes offseason with a lot of cash flowing around. Who are the biggest players entering free agency? A closer look:

The crown jewels of the class: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kyle Tucker

Following in the footsteps of Aaron Judge (2023), Shohei Ohtani (2024), and Juan Soto (2025), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kyle Tucker are poised to land the biggest paydays in 2026.

ALSO READ: When will Shohei Ohtani start pitching again?

Guerrero’s future with the Toronto Blue Jays remains uncertain after he and the team failed to reach a contract extension before his self-imposed deadline on February 17. The 26-year-old slugger has already showcased his elite offensive ceiling, joining Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as the only players since 2020 to post multiple seasons with a 160+ wRC+ while tallying at least 600 plate appearances. His 48-homer campaign remains a testament to his immense power potential.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. HR:

106.1 MPH
23 Degree LA
394 FT
.890 xBA
HR in 1/30 Ballparks🦄

His power is so effortless. It shouldn’t be that easy to drive the ball out of the ballpark.

(I think there is a statcast error in ballpark tracking)pic.twitter.com/zJ7satLcwc
— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) February 28, 2025

Tucker, meanwhile, provides a more well-rounded skill set, excelling as a baserunner and defender while matching Guerrero’s 145 wRC+ since 2021. The Houston Astros’ star right fielder was on pace for a career-best season in 2024 before a shin fracture limited him to just 339 plate appearances. He still posted an elite 180 wRC+, and had he stayed healthy, he was on track for a 51-homer, 27-steal campaign. A fully healthy Tucker could be in line for a historic deal next offseason.

Elite starting pitchers on the market

While this class lacks a proven ace like Corbin Burnes, three standout pitchers could lead the charge in 2026: Dylan Cease, Zac Gallen, and Framber Valdez.

Dylan Cease (RHP, 29 years old) – One of the most electric arms in the game, Cease has racked up at least 200 strikeouts in each of the past four seasons. His 2.20 ERA in 2022 earned him a runner-up finish in the AL Cy Young voting, and he’s coming off a strong 2024 campaign with a 3.47 ERA and 224 strikeouts over 189.1 innings for the Padres.
Zac Gallen (RHP, 29 years old) – A consistent presence atop the D-backs’ rotation, Gallen missed some time in 2024 with a hamstring strain but still put up solid numbers (3.65 ERA, 156 strikeouts in 148 innings). His third-place Cy Young finish in 2023 (3.47 ERA, 220 K’s) proves he can be a frontline starter when healthy.
Framber Valdez (LHP, 31 years old) – Houston’s ace battled elbow inflammation early in 2024 but still delivered an elite 2.91 ERA with 169 strikeouts over 176.1 innings. Since 2021, he has the fifth-lowest ERA (3.08) among pitchers with at least 500 innings pitched, showing consistent dominance.

Other notable starters to watch

While Cease, Gallen, and Valdez headline the class, other arms like Michael King, Brandon Woodruff, Zach Eflin, and Ranger Suárez could play pivotal roles in free agency. King, in particular, is an intriguing option after posting a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts over 173.2 innings in his first full season as a starter for the Padres.

ALSO READ: Pitching wealth in San Diego: Who will be Padres’ opening day starter?

The best closers available

Teams in need of bullpen reinforcements will have a handful of top-tier closers to consider, led by Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, and Ryan Pressly.

Devin Williams, in particular, could command one of the largest reliever contracts in history.

Devin Williams, Filthy Airbender. 🛸 pic.twitter.com/UOXMmVdfvj
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 4, 2025

Though injuries limited him in 2024, his dominance since winning the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year Award has made him one of baseball’s elite shutdown arms.

Players looking for a bounce-back year

Not every impending free agent is riding high into 2026. Some are in need of a strong 2025 to restore their value:

Bo Bichette (SS, 27 years old) – Once expected to earn a mega-deal similar to Corey Seager, Trea Turner, and Xander Bogaerts, Bichette’s stock plummeted after an injury-riddled 2024 in which he posted a 71 wRC+ and 0.3 WAR in just 81 games. A strong rebound in 2025 could still put him in line for a lucrative contract.
Gleyber Torres (2B, 28 years old) – A one-time top prospect, Torres struggled with consistency during his Yankees tenure and saw his production dip in 2024 (15 HR, 104 wRC+). Now with the Tigers on a one-year deal, he’ll look to reestablish himself before free agency.
Walker Buehler (RHP, 31 years old) & Jordan Montgomery (LHP, 33 years old) – Both pitchers have been reliable in the past but need to prove they can stay healthy and effective heading into 2026.

Veteran bats on the move

For teams looking for experienced offensive firepower, there will be no shortage of options in free agency, with Kyle Schwarber, Marcell Ozuna, Eugenio Suárez, Luis Arraez, J.T. Realmuto, and Cedric Mullins all available. Schwarber, in particular, has been a home run machine, blasting 131 dingers over the past three seasons while maintaining one of the highest walk rates in baseball.

Potential opt-out candidates

In addition to the confirmed free agents, several players could opt out of their current deals, adding even more intrigue to the market. Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, Tyler O’Neill, Ha-Seong Kim, Jack Flaherty, Seth Lugo, Shane Bieber, Edwin Díaz, and Robert Suarez all have opt-out clauses in their contracts, meaning some could test the waters depending on their 2025 performances.

Looking for the full list of 2026 MLB free agents? Here’s every name set to hit the open market.

free agent

Kyle Tucker

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.