2026 MLB Free Agents Rumors, Predictions for Tarik Skubal, Jazz Chisholm Jr., More

The 2026 MLB offseason offers quite a bit of mystery.

Much of it is, of course, unfortunately wrapped around all the unknowns of the collective bargaining agreement negotiations. That said, a good deal is still tied to the whos, whats and wheres of free agency.

Because there are still impact players available and teams in need of that impact. And with just two teams left in the World Series chase, we're hearing more rumblings about those players and their suitors, so let's break down the buzz.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has already expressed his desire to remain with the New York Yankees. Unfortunately for him, it continues to sound like that interest is not mutual.

The Athletic's Chris Kirschner was the latest insider to dash Chisholm's dream. While breaking down New York's offseason outlook, Kirschner noted that "it would be surprising" if the Yankees gave qualifying offers to both of their realistic candidates: Chisholm and David Bednar. Kirschner then went on to describe Bednar as "the likelier candidate" to get one.

Per Kirschner, the risk of the Yankees giving Chisholm a qualifying offer is that "he could accept it and try to reset his market entering the 2028 free-agent class." Kirschner also opined that it "spoke volumes when the Yankees benched Chisholm in an elimination game during the American League Division Series."

Maybe if Chisholm was coming off of a stronger season, New York would have interest in keeping him around. But just about everything that could go wrong did, as his power regressed, his contact decreased and he battled both inconsistency and injury. He is a good bounce-back candidate for someone, but that someone won't be the Bombers.

Prediction: Chisholm signs with the Los Angeles Angels.

Mets Preparing Blank-Check Pursuit of Tarik Skubal?

Little went right for the New York Mets this season, but one of the more crushing blows was Freddy Peralta's inability to anchor their rotation.

So, did that sour the Mets on the idea of pursuing an external ace? Not at all. In fact, New York seems to be bracing for a big-money run at the best pitcher on the board in two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

"The general consensus among those in the Mets organization and those who deal with (president of baseball operations David) Stearns' front office regularly seems to be that if (owner Steve) Cohen decides he wants Skubal, the Mets will pay whatever it takes to get him," SNY's Chelsea Janes said. "So trying to predict whether Skubal will be a Met next year, then, might be as simple as whether Skubal wants them."

If Skubal wants the biggest paycheck possible, then the Mets might have a real chance. They seem as likely as anyone to slide that kind of offer across the table. If he wants familiarity, though, or perhaps a clearer shot at contention, that could hurt New York, since two of his other primary suitors (the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers) already have an established relationship with him.

Prediction: Skubal re-signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The free agent pool possibly just had a cannon-ball splash courtesy of Japan.

The Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball announced they will approve the posting of star slugger Teruaki Sato this offseason. That means this crop of position players, which appeared light on high-end talent, just had a Triple Crown winner added to it.

Sato, 27, hit .306 this season with 39 home runs and 106 RBI. Previous reports indicated his list of suitors was believed to include the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Sato's list of landing spots likely runs even deeper, but those are all logical choices given their willingness to spend and their need to add talent after disappointing outcomes this season.

Prediction: Sato signs with the Philadelphia Phillies.

A Possible Trade Made by Every Team This Offseason ⚾