MLB Free Agents 2026 Rumors, Predictions Before AL, NL Wild Card Games

Of course, that means for 18 of the league's less fortunate franchises, the offseason is here for them, too.

It'll be a tricky one to navigate due both to the expiring labor contract and the fact this pool of free agents runs pretty shallow. Beyond superstar starter Tarik Skubal, there may not be a can't-miss difference-maker to be found.

Still, the Skubal sweepstakes should be a fascinating watch, and there are plenty of talented pros up for grabs. Let's dissect the latest rumor-mill rumblings and predict what they might mean moving forward.

Brandon Lowe Set to Capitalize on Power Surge?

How's this for a quick temperature check on Lowe's sizzling market? One rival executive recently summed him up as such to FanSided's Robert Murray : "He's a f***ing beast, bro."

If timing is to MLB free agents what location is to realtors, then this two-year run from Lowe is his beachfront estate. Since the start of 2025, the slugging second baseman has tallied 66 homers, 179 RBI and 173 runs over 284 games.

Those are monstrous numbers—especially for a player at his position—and they are sure to drive up tons of interest on the open market. Speaking of which, Murray wrote that there are "plenty of teams eagerly awaiting the chance to sign" Lowe.

Between Lowe's proven pop and improved defense, he has a chance to strike it rich this offseason. He very well may have priced himself out of Pittsburgh.

Prediction: Lowe signs a three-year deal with the New York Yankees.

Big Payday Still Coming for Freddy Peralta?

There were myriad reasons that things went south for the New York Mets this season, but Peralta's massively disappointing tenure with the team felt bigger than most. He was brought in to serve as the ace of this staff and promptly buckled under that pressure, posting a 4.99 ERA and the worst strikeout rate of his career across 22 starts.

You might think, then, that this makes Peralta a prime candidate to sign a short-term, prove-it type of contract. And while that could be where things ultimately land, it sounds like teams are willing to bet bigger on both his pre-NY track record and post-NY recovery with the Tampa Bay Rays (3.25 ERA over 10 starts).

As one executive told FanSided's Robert Murray , Peralta "will do just fine" in free agency. Murray added that Peralta "is regarded as one of the best clubhouse guys in baseball."

If teams sense Peralta would be cheaper to sign now than he would've been, say, last offseason, that might embolden them to present him a longer contract pitch in hopes of locking him in at a potentially discounted rate. Saying that, it's probably in his best interest to take a shorter deal with a higher salary in hopes of performing on that pact and re-entering the market to eventually strike it richer than he can right now.

Prediction: Peralta signs a two-year deal with the San Diego Padres.

Massive Market Forming for Tarik Skubal?

There are two ways to view Skubal's prominent perch atop this free agent class. Some will feel as if they have to go get him, since there may not be any other needle-movers on the other board. Others could feel his isolation in the rankings will inflate his price to impossible heights.

It sounds like the typical deep-pocketed franchises will comprise that former group. Per FanSided's Robert Murray , "the expectation is that just about all of the big-market teams will be bidding on the superstar left-hander." Murray added that Skubal "should top the current record for a free-agent contract given to a starting pitcher, currently held by Yoshinobu Yamamoto at $325 million."

That price tag will surely price out a lot of teams, especially in this highly uncertain economic environment. If Skubal would settle for a shorter deal with higher annual salaries, maybe a few surprise clubs could place bids with bloated salary figures, but his market feels fairly predictable.

In short, the crystal ball sees this coming down to the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets—two of the biggest spenders in baseball. The Dodgers just made an aggressive move for Skubal at this year's trade deadline, while the Mets badly need a boost to their rotation. This bidding war should be ferocious, but in the end, the Dodgers' head start by having Skubal already on the roster could be what pushes them over the edge.

Prediction: Skubal re-signs with the Dodgers on a 10-year deal.

Top MLB Free Agents Rumors Before 2026 Regular-Season Ends