Tarik Skubal is the overwhelming favorite to be next offseason's top free agent. The two-time defending AL Cy Young winner is probably the best pitcher on the planet. He's almost certainly not signing an extension with the Tigers. As long as he stays healthy during his walk year, Skubal should become MLB's first $400MM+ pitcher.
Clear as the top of the pitching market looks, the #1 spot in the hitting class is wide open. That's a rare position even in March. Each year at MLBTR, we publish our first power ranking of the following winter's free agent class not long after Opening Day.
Over the past five Aprils, the #1 players on our initial free agent ranking were: Corey Seager*, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker. The first four players went on to sign for more than $300MM (well above in Ohtani's and Soto's cases). Tucker had at least one $350MM offer but opted for a shorter deal at a record average annual value. It's usually very easy to identify an upcoming free class's top hitter one or more years in advance.
Since that's not the case for the 2026-27 class, there's room for debate as to which player enters the season in pole position. Their respective '26 performances will naturally play a large role in determining future contracts, but there are only a handful of players who have a real chance to land the biggest deal among next offseason's hitters. Randy Arozarena, for example, is one of the best hitters in the class, but it's safe to assume he's not commanding the biggest contract as a left fielder who'll test the market in his age-32 season. That's just not a profile that lends itself to a nine-figure deal.
Let's run through the more realistic possibilities. The full list of 2026-27 free agents is available here.
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yeah we already know he’s headed to LA. it’s all good. no need to hype up any other team having a real shot.
First of all cut the crying second of all who are you even referring to?…..
He’s a Cubs fan so I assume he’s talking about Hoerner.
I mean it’s a fair assumption that the best FA of any given offseason will go play in Chavez Ravine, if recent history matters.
It’s been two out of the last how many offseasons? What about the Mets?
Lot of advanced age in this group. I don’t see the Braves declining the options on Acuna or Albies so guys like Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki, and Daulton Varsho are the top hitters in the class and only Varsho is likely to get a deal over 5 years
Think you’re selling Arozarena short, especially compared with Grisham and Varsho. If he posts yet another 3-win season, there’s no reason to think Arozarena can’t approach a deal similar to Kyle Schwarber’s.
That said, it would be surprising if the answer to this question isn’t Bichette or Chisholm.