Latest MLB Free Agents 2026 Rumors, Predictions for Tarik Skubal, Teruaki Sato, More

The Tarik Skubal sweepstakes is officially open and the hard-throwing lefty may put pen to paper sooner than expected.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner's plans for the offseason are the headline topic of this collection of insider reports, which also includes the latest on international sensation Teruaki Sato and a former Gold Glove winner coming off a strong season and attracting plenty of attention.

Latest on Tarik Skubal's Contract Timeline

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Tarik Skubal is likely to sign in November, before the collective bargaining agreement runs out in December (h/t CBS Sports ).

He added that there is no deal imminent, but the market is moving for the 30-year-old southpaw.

Skubal is coming off another strong year that saw him go 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA, 186 strikeouts, and a 0.964 WHIP with the Tigers and Dodgers.

His numbers dipped slightly from his stellar back-to-back Cy Young Award-winning seasons, but there is little denying that he is still elite on the mound, enough so that he is likely to get a record deal when he puts pen to paper.

The Dodgers' president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, said at the end of the team's season, "We have a tremendous amount of respect for him on and off the field, and for us, he's put himself in this position to go out and be a free agent. And for us, it's to continue to talk to Scott [Boras, his agent]."

Clearly, the team would love to have him back on a long-term deal, as they look to build on their championship dynasty, which they fell short of adding to in 2026.

Heyman noted in his report that the New York Mets are interested in acquiring Skubal but added that the team's bidding for Juan Soto two years ago may impact how much they are willing to bid.

There will be enormous offers sent Skubal's way, and it will ultimately come down to fit and preference. The Dodgers are still a win-now team, with the pieces in place to return to the Fall Classic next year and compete for a third title in four years.

The Mets have flashed some seriously talented young stars in Nolan McLean, AJ Ewing, and Carson Benge. Whether he wants to play for the here and now, or future success could be the difference.

Prediction: Skubal signs with New York or Los Angeles, with few other teams positioned to pay out what they will

Which Teams Are Interested in Teruaki Sato

Teruaki Sato will have until the collective bargaining agreement ends on December 1 to sign with an MLB team or return to the Hanshin Tigers for the 2027 season.

With that said, the success of Munetaka Murakami last season, a big slugger with some admitted defensive concerns, has created interest in signing Sato sooner rather than later.

Heyman reported that the Mets, Phillies, Padres, and Yankees are all linked to the 27-year-old third baseman.

Sato hit .306 last season, with a .991 OPS, 39 home runs and 106 RBI. He tallied 165 total hits, the most of his career.

He accumulated a better fielding percentage as an outfielder (.944) than as a third baseman (.937), and could prove valuable to a team looking for versatility on the diamond. There are some concerns about his ability to play consistent defense, but his bat makes up for it.

It is no surprise that the four teams Heyman mentioned are interested in adding Sato given their struggles at the plate in the postseason (Phillies, Padres, and Yankees) or throughout all of 2026 (Mets).

Prediction: Sato signs before the collective bargaining agreement ends, but do not be shocked if a surprise team comes from out of nowhere to win the sweepstakes.

Ty France is drawing considerable interest from teams following a strong 2026.

"Multiple teams are already expressing interest in the 32-year-old France, league sources said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss free-agent pursuits. The first baseman could find a deal quickly. While there's some mutual interest in a reunion with the San Diego Padres, he is more receptive these days to other possibilities."

France returned to the Padres last season and had one of his best campaigns to date. He tallied 130 hits, 21 home runs, 72 RBI, a slash line of .295/.363/.502, and a 4.5 WAR.

The Athletic's Tim Britton projects France to score a two-year, $25 million deal.

A return to the Padres would be welcome, as France is a Southern California native and is coming off a renaissance year with the team. A former Gold Glove winner, though, he can benefit teams both at the plate and defensively.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are one such team that could use an upgrade at first base, as could the Mets and the Diamondbacks. New York, in particular, could use his gap hitting to go along with his stellar defensive play, something the Mets have not had enough of in either regard in recent years.

The question comes down to how much winning means in relation to the business side of things, as the Padres are in a much better position to win now than any of those three teams.

Being able to stay home, play for the Padres, and chase that elusive world title feels like the right call. As long as San Diego is prepared to pay him for his contributions.

Prediction: France returns to the Padres