While the 2026-27 MLB free agent class is viewed as one of the weakest of the past decade, there is still an interesting list of starting pitchers, one superstar ace and one intriguing breakout player who was one of the league's best hitters in 2026.

Most importantly, with the lockout looming as the collective bargaining agreement is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, there's the potential for a frenetic month of signings leading up to that deadline as teams look to sign players before new rules eventually come into effect.

With the World Series now over and players able to sign starting at 5 p.m. ET on Monday, let's take a look at 10 of the top free agents and their potential best fits.

Tarik Skubal, LHP

2027 age: 30
2026 stats: 12-7, 2.72 ERA, 158.2 IP, 27 BB, 186 SO, 4.6 WAR

Best fit: Chicago Cubs

Kiley McDaniel recently polled MLB insiders to predict the value of Skubal's contract, and the estimates ranged from four years, $176 million all the way up to $500 million, with the average of the 27 projections coming in at eight years and $355 million. That would be the most expensive total value deal ever for a pitcher, surpassing Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 and Gerrit Cole's $324 million deal from the New York Yankees in 2020.

However, there are concerns. Yamamoto was entering his age-25 season and had a history of good health. Cole was entering his age-29 season with just a couple of minor injuries in his past and was coming off three straight 200-inning seasons. Skubal, meanwhile, had Tommy John surgery in college, elbow surgery in 2022 and then the surgery in May of this year to remove loose bodies from his elbow. The minimally invasive procedure allowed for a quick return and Skubal pitched at his Cy Young-level the rest of the season, but teams will be scrutinizing those medical reports.

The other question: Is a starting pitcher worth that kind of investment these days? Yamamoto led the Dodgers to the World Series title in 2025 when he won five games in the postseason and threw two complete games, but that's an outlier performance. The Brewers just rolled to a World Series championship relying much more on their bullpen than their rotation, as the Dodgers did in 2024. It's not that Skubal isn't great -- just that the value of starting pitchers, especially in the postseason, is waning as they throw fewer innings.

With all that said, the Cubs are the perfect fit: a big-market franchise in desperate need of an ace after the rotation ranked 18th in ERA and 21st in strikeout rate. On top of that, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, David Peterson and Matthew Boyd (if he exercises his opt-out) are free agents and every other starter is coming off an injury (Cade Horton will miss most or all of 2027). While the Cubs have room to spend due to all the expired contracts, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are also key free agents, so the front office might ultimately decide to spread the money around rather than spend a huge chunk on Skubal.

Another possible fit: St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals haven't signed a $100 million free agent since re-signing Matt Holliday in 2010, so this type of move would be out of character for them, but president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has built a young roster with all kinds of payroll flexibility to make a big splash. According to Cot's Contracts, the Cardinals' estimated 2027 payroll sits at $66 million and the only long-term deal on the books is for JJ Wetherholt. Skubal is the kind of risk they can afford -- and need -- to take.

Yet another possible fit: Los Angeles Dodgers

Yes, we have to mention them. Skubal clearly enjoyed his time in Los Angeles, and this might be the final opportunity for the Dodgers to make one more monster free agent signing before any new CBA rules.

Randy Arozarena, LF

2027 age: 32
2026 stats: .281/.381/.484, 26 HR, 79 RBIs, 5.7 WAR

Best fit: Atlanta Braves/Boston Red Sox

Arozarena had good timing for his walk year: He led the AL in runs scored and posted career highs in WAR, batting average and OPS (not including his 23-game stint in 2020). In fact, his 5.7 WAR is the highest of any of the free agents. He's one of the few good hitters available -- but he's also 32 years old and is limited to left field on defense. Arozarena has reportedly expressed a desire to return to the East Coast.

If that's the case, there are two logical fits in the Braves and Red Sox. Braves left fielders were 27th in OPS while Red Sox left fielders -- mostly Jarren Duran, who had a bad offensive season -- were 26th. The Red Sox can slot a healthy Roman Anthony there, use Arozarena primarily at DH, and look to trade Duran, but that's a lot of roster shuffling. The Braves enter the offseason about $50 million below their 2026 payroll, plus they also need a shortstop -- but Arozarena fills a big hole in the lineup and there isn't a worthy shortstop out there in free agency.

Another possible fit: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies need to shake up a lineup that has become too dependent on just Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber and finished 19th in runs and 22nd in OPS. Given Brandon Marsh's second-half collapse and Philly's need for a right-handed hitter, Arozarena makes sense, although he won't help improve a defense that was subpar.

Seiya Suzuki, RF

2027 age: 32
2026 stats: .270/.368/.473, 26 HR, 86 RBIs, 5.1 WAR

Best fit: Toronto Blue Jays

Suzuki was a remarkably consistent hitter during his five years with the Chicago Cubs and had a career high in WAR in 2026 thanks in part to surprisingly outstanding defensive metrics (both DRS and Statcast agreed that he was excellent). Even if the defense was a fluke, he puts runs on the scoreboard with his bat. Chicago's own spending priority this offseason will be its rotation, plus it has options for right field in Kevin Alcantara and Matt Shaw, so re-signing Suzuki wouldn't be the priority.

While the Cubs led the majors in runs, the Blue Jays were last -- and need to upgrade an outfield that fell from seventh in OPS in 2025 to 19th. They're stuck with Anthony Santander's contract for three more years, and Addison Barger missed most of the season after elbow surgery, so a reliable middle-of-the-order hitter is a must. As with Arozarena, Suzuki's age is a concern on a long-term deal, but the Jays are losing $32 million in outfield/DH salary with the departures of free agents George Springer and Myles Straw and can use that to pay Suzuki.

Another possible fit: Detroit Tigers

Tigers right fielders -- Zach McKinstry started the most games there with 49 -- were a collective disaster, hitting .194/.268/.359. It's time to move on from all the temporary fixes and add another lineup anchor. Imagine an outfield of Riley Greene, Max Clark and Suzuki. Detroit's payroll is some $70 million below 2026, so there's room for Suzuki and some pitching additions.

Teruaki Sato, 3B

2027 age: 28
2026 stats: .306/.383/.609, 39 HR, 106 RBIs

Best fit: New York Yankees

The MVP and Triple Crown winner for the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League, Sato's left-handed power makes him one of the most intriguing free agents once he's posted, especially considering the lack of big hitters in free agency. His defense isn't a strength, with some teams perhaps looking at him as a first baseman or outfielder (where he played earlier in his career). He did strike out 164 times in 614 plate appearances, a 26.7% rate similar to Munetaka Murakami's 28.7% rate his final two seasons in Japan. Murakami fanned 35% of the time and hit .207 with the Chicago White Sox this season -- although did launch 35 home runs and walked 92 times.

Sato is hardly a perfect fit for the Yankees -- Ryan McMahon is signed for one more year at $16 million and Sato would add another high-strikeout bat to the lineup, plus a right-handed batter might be a better fit -- but general manager Brian Cashman loves power. Plus, McMahon was wretched at the plate in 2026. A power-hitting trio of Ben Rice, Aaron Judge and Sato could provide 120-plus home runs.

Another possible fit: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are another team in need of an offensive makeover. Like the Yankees, they need a right-handed hitter more than a lefty, especially since they're likely to lose Arozarena in free agency, but this stat is also staring them in the face: They were last in the majors in OPS, RBIs and runs scored at third base. Brendan Donovan did miss most of the season with injuries but also struggled defensively when he was there; he might be a better fit to replace Arozarena in left field.

Michael King, RHP

2027 age: 32
2026 stats: 12-10, 3.21 ERA, 185 IP, 70 BB, 159 SO, 4.3 WAR

Best fit: San Diego Padres

King is likely to opt out of his $28 million option (he has another one for $30 million in 2028) and try to secure a longer deal after posting a 3.15 ERA over his three years in San Diego's rotation. He did miss time in 2025 with shoulder inflammation, and his strikeout rate has dropped from an excellent 27.7% in 2024 to 21% in 2026, so there are a couple red flags here -- but he's been a steady performer. The Padres need him more than anyone else, with King, Walker Buehler and in-season acquisitions Robbie Ray and Casey Mize all hitting free agency. Without King, the top returning starter is Randy Vasquez.

Another possible fit: Chicago White Sox

As we saw in the postseason when they were trying to piece together their pitching like a Jenga tower, the White Sox need a little help in the rotation. Or a lot of help. They were 26th in ERA, last in innings and 23rd in batting average allowed. They have the young position player core to build around, and maybe Hagen Smith joins the rotation, but they need a veteran starter and have plenty of payroll room to make a major addition.

Jake Bauers, 1B

2027 age: 31
2026 stats: .266/.389/.484, 26 HR, 86 RBIs, 3.3 WAR

Best fit: Milwaukee Brewers

Normally, a breakout season from a 30-year-old would scream "fluke," and that player wouldn't draw much interest in free agency -- but that won't be the case with Bauers. His Statcast page has 90th-plus percentile rankings all over it: expected wOBA, hard-hit rate, bat speed, chase rate, walk rate. That led to a great season in which he hit for power and ranked third in the majors in on-base percentage and 11th in OPS. There was nothing lucky about how he put up those numbers, leading to a belief that he can sustain that high level.

The Brewers aren't normally in the market for 31-year-old free agents, and they do have potential replacements in Andrew Fischer, who led the minors with 48 home runs in reaching Double-A, and Blake Burke, who hit 34 home runs and stole 29 bases in reaching Triple-A. However, Bauers was such a key component of their title run. Both of those prospects also struck out a ton and could use another season in the minors.

Milwaukee also has Andrew Vaughn, who hit .306 this season, in a part-time role. With Vaughn due to make more than $8 million in arbitration, it's unlikely the Brewers would both sign Bauers and bring Vaughn back -- and by the postseason, Bauers was playing every day anyway with Vaughn relegated to the bench. Bauers' track record is limited enough that he shouldn't be priced out of Milwaukee. Look for the Brewers to make a run at re-signing him and then trading Vaughn.

Another possible fit: New York Mets

The Mets let longtime first baseman Pete Alonso walk a year ago and signed Jorge Polanco to replace him. That worked out about as well as a root canal from Dr. Tim Whatley. Polanco is still around, but president of baseball operations David Stearns has indicated the starting rotation and first base would be offseason priorities, making Bauers a possibility for the Mets.

Freddy Peralta, RHP

2027 age: 31
2026 stats: 10-11, 4.42 ERA, 169 IP, 63 BB, 156 SO, 0.7 WAR

Best fit: Chicago White Sox

Fastball Freddy saw his stock dip during a rough four months with the Mets after they acquired him from the Brewers last winter, but then saw it climb back up after a strong finish with the Rays -- a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts after coming over at the deadline and then a good postseason. Much was made during the playoffs about the changes Peralta made to get back to his Brewers mechanics, but his strikeout rate was actually lower with the Rays than it was with the Mets. The biggest difference was his batting average on balls in play: .315 with the Mets, .235 with the Rays. His strikeout rate, nearly 31% in 2023, dipped to 21% in 2026. He has been durable, with four consecutive seasons of 30-plus starts, although doesn't often pitch deep into games.

Add it up and it's buyer beware -- although, with five straight seasons with an ERA below 4.00 before 2026, Peralta will be in demand and could receive a nine-figure deal. As mentioned earlier, the White Sox will be looking for rotation help. He's a little homer-prone so isn't necessarily the best match for Guaranteed Rate Field, which is generally home run-friendly, but adding someone who they can pencil in for 30 starts is a huge plus for a young team on the rise.

Another possible fit: Washington Nationals

There are several teams in need of pitching help that could also work here: Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros ... we mentioned the Cardinals earlier. Mets? Yeah, that one probably won't happen ... again.

Brandon Lowe, 2B

2027 age: 32
2026 stats: .260/.331/.493, 35 HR, 96 RBIs, 5.4 WAR

Best fit: Pittsburgh Pirates

The majors' most underrated power hitter, Lowe has now hit 30-plus home runs three times, including in both 2025 and 2026, while averaging 35 home runs per 162 games in his career. His big season helped key a dramatic improvement in the Pirates' offense, and his defensive metrics were the best of his career -- 98th percentile in Statcast's outs above average and plus-13 defensive runs saved, which ranked tied for third among second basemen. That helped him produce a career-high 5.4 WAR.

Despite all those glossy numbers, Lowe's age and injury history -- he averaged 94 games a season from 2022 to 2024 -- should keep his contract down to a level where the Pirates can afford to re-sign him. And they should want to bring him back. There are also other second basemen available on the market in Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Arraez, another reason Lowe should remain affordable.

Another possible fit: San Francisco Giants

The Giants have several highly rated infielders in the lower minors -- Josuar Gonzalez, Luis Hernandez, Jhonny Level -- but they're a few years away. Arraez was their second baseman until they traded him, and while they got Marcelo Mayer in the Erik Miller trade with the Red Sox, Mayer hasn't shown much at the plate during his 380 plate appearances in the majors.

Adrian Morejon, LHP

2027 age: 28
2026 stats: 9-3, 2.83 ERA, 86 IP, 28 BB, 107 SO, 1.9 WAR

Best fit: Philadelphia Phillies

One of the elite relievers in the game, Morejon has a 2.58 ERA over the past three seasons while leading all relievers in innings pitched and ranking seventh in strikeouts. Firing 99-mph fastballs with an outstanding changeup from the left side, he increased his strikeout rate to a career-high 30.4% in 2026 while pitching 86 innings. He was already going to be in demand as a left-handed high-leverage reliever, but even more so after watching the Brewers' bullpen dominate the postseason with three lefty relievers.

The Phillies are set at closer with Jhoan Duran, but the rest of the bullpen is a mess, finishing 21st in ERA. Jose Alvarado has been their longtime top southpaw, but he's a free agent and coming off a bad season (5.86 ERA). Phillies lefty relievers allowed an .805 OPS, second worst in the majors. Give Duran some help.

Another possible fit: Chicago Cubs

Morejon is a fit for almost every team, so let's throw the Cubs out here again as they try to figure out how they can chase down their division rivals. They saw 14 different relievers record saves in 2026, and their lefty relievers ranked 21st in OPS allowed and 25th in strikeout rate. Morejon would give them a workhorse setup guy or a potential closer.

Nick Martinez, RHP

2027 age: 36
2026 stats: 15-6, 3.10 ERA, 180 IP, 26 BB, 109 SO, 3.9 WAR

Best fit: Arizona Diamondbacks

Martinez has a $20 million mutual option but will likely opt out and aim for a multiyear deal after an All-Star season with the Rays. It will be interesting to see how teams view him given his low strikeout rate and age, but he's been a durable swingman in the past and then delivered 180 innings as a full-time starter for the Rays in 2026. They had him use his changeup and sinker more, and he relies on great control and soft contact to outperform his strikeout numbers.

Since there are more balls in play when he pitches, he's a better fit for a team with good defense -- and one who won't be playing in the more expensive Skubal/King/Peralta market. The Diamondbacks could fit here, although after ranking 29th in rotation strikeout rate, they might be wary about adding another low-whiff starter. But they do need to replace Zac Gallen.

Another possible fit: Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays paid Martinez $9 million in 2026, so a deal that would more than double that salary might put them in an uncomfortable zone. But with Shane McClanahan and Griffin Jax both due for free agency after the 2027 season and a lack of starting pitching prospects in the upper minors, Tampa Bay might want to lock down Martinez into the future given how well it worked for both sides this past season.