We are more than three months away from Opening Day and teams are still hard at work to build their rosters. Several big free-agent names have signed new deals, but many more are still looking for their next contracts. As teams’ 2026 rosters start to take shape, we have a clearer picture of how the remaining free agents would fit with each club.
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While we wait for the next wave of deals to come in, I thought it would be fun to play matchmaker for the top remaining free agents and rank their three best team fits. As a reminder, here is how I ranked the top 50 free agents entering the offseason, with my predictions on team match and contracts. In the comment section below, please let me know your opinions on where you think the free agents match with best.
(Editor’s note: Both relievers on this list agreed to terms with teams shortly after this story published on Wednesday morning. Read here for more on Brad Keller’s deal with the Phillies and Luke Weaver’s agreement with the Mets.)
Starting pitchers
Framber Valdez, LHP
Age: 32
2025 bWAR: 3.8
2025 team: Houston Astros
Agent: Octagon
Best matches: 1. Mets 2. Orioles 3. Tigers
Mets president David Stearns is philosophically opposed to expensive, long-term contracts for starting pitchers, but if the Mets want to be competitive in 2026 it’s important they improve their rotation and have someone who can lead the staff. Valdez can do just that. He’s a ground ball machine who misses bats and has proven he can pitch in big games.
The Orioles would also be a great fit, but I decided to match-up Ranger Suárez there instead. If the Tigers determine that they can’t extend Tarik Skubal and trade him, then replacing him with Valdez might make some sense.
Ranger Suárez, LHP
Age: 30
2025 bWAR: 4.7
2025 team: Philadelphia Phillies
Agent: Boras Corp.
Best matches: 1. Orioles 2. Astros 3. Phillies
I get the impression the Phillies aren’t going to offer what it will take to retain Suárez, especially now that they committed $150 million to Kyle Schwarber.
No team needs a starter more than the Orioles. Suárez has low mileage on his arm in terms of career innings pitched and his incredible off-speed offerings make him a solid fit with the O’s. The Astros are trying to replace Valdez in their rotation, and I think Suárez might be a good fit there, as well, since he’s likely to command a shorter commitment than Valdez, and Houston prefers shorter-term contracts for starters. A return to Philly would work if it has the dough to allocate to him.
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Tatsuya Imai, RHP
Age: 27
2025 team: Saitama Seibu Lions (Nippon Professional Baseball)
Agent: Boras Corp.
Best matches: 1. Cubs 2. Yankees 3. Mets
Imai is fascinating. His small frame may scare off some but given his dominance and durability in Japan, it shouldn’t be a concern for most teams. The teams that he’s been linked to the most are the Cubs, Yankees, Mets and Padres, and all of those clubs make sense.
The Cubs would like another starter and they could certainly use a younger option since three-fifths of their rotation is over 34 years old (Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea), making Imai a particularly good fit in Chicago.
Zac Gallen, RHP
Age: 30
2025 bWAR: 1.1
2025 team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Agent: Boras Corp.
Best matches: 1. Astros 2. Diamondbacks 3. Tigers
The Astros tried to acquire Gallen at the July trade deadline and have been in pursuit of him ever since. He would fit nicely behind their ace, Hunter Brown, and would give a staff that has struggled to stay healthy a reliable, durable arm. Changing leagues and getting out of Chase Field should benefit Gallen.
Arizona would like him back and Detroit would be a good fit, as well.
Michael King, RHP
Age: 30
2025 bWAR: 1.2
2025 team: San Diego Padres
Agent: Excel Sports Management
Best matches: 1. Yankees 2. Red Sox 3. Orioles
King is the most undervalued pitcher on the market and I predict he will provide the best bang for the buck among this year’s free-agent starters. He has great makeup, nasty stuff and really knows how to pitch. If he can stay healthy, he has the talent to be a Cy Young contender. However, he’s coming off of an injury-plagued season, which may lead to him taking a shorter deal with a higher AAV and opt outs on both sides.
A return to the Yankees would be his best play, but joining the Red Sox as they build an elite rotation, would also work. I like the Orioles for him, too, but I think they’d be better off with a less risky starter if they get their choice.
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Chris Bassitt, RHP
Age: 36
2025 bWAR: 2.1
2025 team: Toronto Blue Jays
Agent: Meister Sports Management
Best matches: 1. Padres 2. Orioles 3. Blue Jays
The Padres are looking for an inexpensive starter on a shorter-term deal and Bassitt is likely to land a short-term deal. He proved with Toronto that he has something left in the tank; he can help the Padres be contenders.
If the O’s miss on the other starters, I can see them making a late play for Bassitt. I also think it’s possible he could return to Toronto to give them starting pitching depth.
Tyler Mahle, RHP
Age: 31
2025 bWAR: 2.1
2025 team: Texas Rangers
Agent: ISE Baseball
Best matches: 1. Tigers 2. Angels 3. Athletics
Mahle is finally healthy and was able to make 16 starts for the Rangers last year, posting a 2.18 ERA and 3.37 FIP. Due to his injury history, he’ll have to sign another prove-it deal, which could be a huge bargain for whoever signs him. Mahle’s profile is a strong fit for what the Tigers tend to look for, but I also think the Angels and Athletics make sense because if he has a great first half, either could trade him for prospects at the deadline.
Relievers
Brad Keller, RHP
Age: 30
2025 bWAR: 1.5
2025 team: Chicago Cubs
Agent: Excel Sports Management
Best matches: 1. Yankees 2. Twins 3. Cubs
Keller is fascinating because some teams want to convert him back to the rotation, but I believe there’s more risk with him as a starter. He has found his niche as a high-leverage reliever and should be impactful in that role going forward.
The Yankees need to replace Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, and Keller would be a huge addition because he can handle multi-inning stints and fill different roles.
The Twins are also making their bullpen a point of emphasis and the Cubs are still a possibility if his price comes down.
Luke Weaver, RHP
Age: 32
2025 bWAR: 0.8
2025 team: New York Yankees
Agent: Excel Sports Management
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Best matches: 1. Cubs 2. Padres 3. Athletics
Weaver is my choice for most undervalued reliever remaining on the market. I believe he will return to the level he was pitching at in September 2024. I like his stuff, competitiveness and ability to set-up or even close when right.
The Cubs need to fill a lot of spots in their bullpen, making Weaver a good fit. If the Padres deal from the back of their bullpen to fill other needs, San Diego could emerge as a suitor for Weaver. The Athletics need to continue to add pitching in all roles.
Infielders/Catchers
Bo Bichette, SS
Age: 27
Bats: R Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 3.4
2025 team: Toronto Blue Jays
Agent: Vayner Sports
Best matches: 1. Red Sox 2. Blue Jays 3. Giants
Bichette is only 27 and can play second base, shortstop or third base. He’s led the AL in hits twice already and is a really focused, hard-working player who would become an instant fan favorite in Boston. Fenway Park’s unusual dimensions — with the Green Monster in left and the short porch in right — would benefit Bichette, who uses the whole field well. The Red Sox could make him their everyday third or second baseman.
If the Blue Jays don’t sign Kyle Tucker, it is likely Bichette will return to Toronto (assuming he hasn’t signed by the time Tucker does). I also think he’d be a huge get for the Giants.
Though many teams view him as a second or third baseman, his favorite position to play is shortstop. His best fits for teams in need of a shortstop would be the Brewers, but it doesn’t appear Milwaukee is looking for that big of an investment at this point.
Alex Bregman, 3B
Age: 31
Bats: R Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 3.5
2025 team: Boston Red Sox
Agent: Boras Corp.
Best matches: 1. Cubs 2. Tigers 3. Red Sox
Bregman is looking for a long-term commitment like Schwarber and Pete Alonso just received. His best shot to get that at this point would be with the Cubs, who will be trying to replace Tucker in the lineup. The Cubs covet Bregman’s leadership and mentorship of younger players. If they were to sign him, they could move Matt Shaw to second base and trade impending free agent Nico Hoerner or just move Shaw to the outfield.
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The Tigers offered Bregman a long-term deal last offseason, and if it’s still on the table he might grab it this year. The Red Sox want him back, but I’m not sure they’re going to meet his contractual demands.
Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B
Age: 25
Bats: L Throws: R
2025 team: Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Nippon Professional Baseball)
Agent: Excel Sports Management
Best matches: 1. Mariners 2. Reds 3. Marlins
Murakami has tremendous power and enough swing-and-miss to make executives nervous. He might have to sign a shorter-term deal than he expected to prove he’ll be able to cut down on the punchouts. His window to sign with an MLB team closes on Dec. 22, so teams need to decide soon if the risk of the strikeouts is worth the reward of his power.
Landing with the Mariners is by far his best fit, as he could compete with their bevy of young infielders, including Ben Williamson and Colt Emerson, and take some of the DH at-bats vacated by Jorge Polanco, who signed with the Mets.
Kazuma Okamoto, 1B/3B
Age: 29
Bats: R Throws: R
2025 team: Yomiuri Giants (Nippon Professional Baseball)
Best matches: 1. Reds 2. Cardinals 3. Pirates
The Reds have a lot of first base options, led by Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. However, Steer can play left field and Encarnacion-Strand is more of a DH-type. Okamoto would be a huge upgrade for them in the lineup, bringing plate discipline and power that would play at Great American Small Park.
If the Cardinals trade Willson Contreras then St. Louis would also be a solid fit for Okamoto. The Pirates are looking for offense anyway they can get it, so I like Pittsburgh for a landing spot, as well.
Eugenio Suárez, 3B
Age: 34
Bats: R Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 3.6
2025 team: Arizona Diamondbacks/Seattle Mariners
Agent: Octagon
Best matches: 1. Pirates 2. Athletics 3. Angels
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Suárez probably has to wait until after Bichette and Bregman sign to find a team, just in case one of the contending teams circle back to him. However, I think Suárez’s best fit might be with non-contending teams such as the Pirates, Athletics and Angels. If he has a great first half, he’ll be traded like last year to a contending team with the biggest need at the time.
The Pirates desperately need offense and an upgrade at third base. His power would be a huge lineup boost. Both the A’s and Angels have vacancies at third base to fill.
J.T. Realmuto, C
Age: 34
Bats: R Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 2.6
2025 team: Philadelphia Phillies
Agent: CAA Sports
Best matches: 1. Phillies 2. Phillies 3. Phillies
Realmuto will have to take a pay cut, but on the flip side he should be able to get a two-year deal. He’s been a strong leader for the Phillies staff over the last several years and they don’t have a better option behind the plate at this point. Age and decline have caught up with him to an extent, but the Phillies can still win a championship with him. I don’t see another strong fit for his services at this point.
Luis Arraez, INF/DH
Age: 28
Bats: L Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 1.3
2025 team: San Diego Padres
Agent: MVP Sports Group
Best matches: 1. Padres 2. Pirates 3. Athletics
Arraez has already won three batting titles and probably has another one in him, but he’s just not going to get the paycheck he’s seeking. He can play first base, second base or DH. Although he doesn’t hit for power, he does provide important traffic on the bases in the right lineups. He still fits well with the Padres with their strong middle-of-the-lineup hitting behind him.
The Pirates and Athletics make some sense for him, as well.
Outfielders
Kyle Tucker, RF
Age: 28
Bats: L Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 4.5
2025 team: Chicago Cubs
Agent: Excel Sports Management
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Best matches: 1. Blue Jays 2. Dodgers 3. Yankees
The Blue Jays would love to sign Tucker to be their everyday right fielder for the next decade as he fits everything they like in terms of being a complete player. It will be scary if he lands in Toronto with the team the Blue Jays already have in place.
The Dodgers, who need to improve their defense in right field, are also a great fit although their interest is in a shorter contract with higher AAV and opt-out clauses. If Tucker decides to pursue a “pillow”-type deal like Alonso did last offseason, then the Dodgers are his best landing spot.
The Yankees seem to have prioritized Cody Bellinger over Tucker, which is why I listed them third on this list.
Cody Bellinger, OF/1B
Age: 30
Bats: L Throws: L
2025 bWAR: 5.0
2025 team: New York Yankees
Agent: Boras Corp.
Best matches: 1. Yankees 2. Mets 3. Dodgers
The Yankees have made re-signing Bellinger their priority and understandably so since he played so well for them last season. He can play all three outfield positions and first base, giving the Yankees positional flexibility in case of injuries or underperformance at other positions.
There has been recent momentum for Mets on Bellinger as pressure on David Stearns mounts. Bellinger would satisfy Stearn’s run-prevention narrative at both centerfield and first base and, after the losses of Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo, allow him to save face.
If a Yankees or Mets deal doesn’t work out and the Dodgers don’t sign Tucker, a return to LA is possible for Bellinger. It sounds like a return to the Dodgers would be Bellinger’s second choice to re-signing with the Yankees.
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B/OF/DH
Age: 32
Bats: L Throws: L
2025 bWAR: 2.4
2025 team: Baltimore Orioles/San Diego Padres
Agent: Aces — Sam and Seth Levinson
Best matches: 1. Pirates 2. Padres 3. Reds
O’Hearn is an underrated bat who could really help teams still looking for offense once all the big bats sign. The Pirates, Reds and Padres make sense for O’Hearn. The Pirates won’t be able to land any of the big bats, so pivoting to O’Hearn would be a strong play. A return to the Padres and a depth play for the Reds make sense too.
