With the action expected to pick up on the free-agent market as soon as next week, we started thinking about which players and teams might make the best matches.
This list isn’t meant to serve as a prediction of what’s to come this winter, but rather an opportunity to try reading tea leaves and connecting dots.
We have only two rules:
1. Every player has to be from another team (no incumbents).
2. Each player can be on this list only once.
That means that a number of notable free agents were not included, but don’t read into that in terms of their overall markets. Players such as Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, Luis Arraez and David Bednar will find plenty of suitors despite not being listed below.
Without further ado, here’s the latest attempt at playing free-agent matchmaker in our annual “30 free agents for 30 teams” list.
American League East
Blue Jays: Seiya Suzuki, OF
Toronto’s outfield was an issue last season, as the group hit only 41 homers in 2026 (tied for fewest in the Majors) with a .707 OPS (19th in MLB). If the Blue Jays hope to upgrade the offense, the outfield is their best option, and Suzuki -- who may be the best all-around bat on the market -- would certainly accomplish that goal.
Orioles: Dustin May, RHP
The Orioles’ 4.26 rotation ERA ranked 17th in the Majors, and with Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt on the free-agent market, Baltimore needs to add arms to fill out the starting staff. May’s 4.70 ERA was bloated by a handful of disastrous outings, but he had 11 starts last season of at least six innings with two or fewer runs allowed.
Rays: Matthew Boyd, LHP
Since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2024, Boyd is 26-15 with a 3.41 ERA over 61 starts, using his four-pitch mix and an excellent changeup to keep hitters off balance. The Rays have Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez potentially departing as free agents, so adding a mid-rotation arm like Boyd would make sense. A reunion with Martinez could also be in the cards.
Red Sox: Ryan Jeffers, C
After signing Jake Bauers to a four-year, $58 million contract (per source), the Red Sox don’t have many positional needs for the 2027 roster. But with an opening at DH and Adley Rutschman entering his final year prior to free agency, the Red Sox could add Jeffers, who would help the offense this season as a DH/part-time catcher while also giving them a plan behind the plate if Rutschman leaves a year from now.
Yankees: Adrian Morejon, LHP
Third base is an obvious need for the Yankees, so while Teruaki Sato and Alec Bohm would also make sense here, the bullpen may be as big of a priority for New York this offseason. Even if Bednar accepts the qualifying offer or returns on a multi-year deal, the Yankees need someone to replace Paul Blackburn as part of the bridge to the ninth. Morejon is the best reliever available, so whether the Yankees view him as a closer or not, he is the type of dynamic arm that can help in a variety of ways.
American League Central
Guardians: Casey Mize, RHP
Cleveland will look to bolster its rotation this offseason, and while a reunion with Foster Griffin could be an option, the 2026 All-Star may have priced himself out of a return. The Guardians are familiar with Mize from his time in the AL Central -- he has a 2.41 ERA in six career starts against them -- and while his late-season stint with the Padres didn’t go well (7.46 ERA in 10 starts), he was superb with the Tigers during the first four months and would fit nicely in Cleveland’s rotation.
Royals: Michael Soroka, RHP
The Royals ranked 25th in the Majors in rotation ERA (4.58), and while they will surely count on a rebound season from Seth Lugo and they could get Cole Ragans back in the second half, adding an arm or two this winter would seem to be a priority. Soroka posted a 3.41 ERA in 22 outings (21 starts) for Arizona in 2026, topping the 100-inning mark for the first time since his 2019 All-Star campaign. Unlike some other starters on the market, Soroka could fall within the Royals’ payroll range.
Tigers: Michael King, RHP
With Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander and Jack Flaherty off the books, plus Javier Báez’s contract set to expire a year from now, the Tigers should have some payroll flexibility this offseason. Arguably the second-best free-agent starter behind Skubal, King could join Framber Valdez as a solid 1-2 punch atop Detroit’s rotation, leading an otherwise young group that includes Troy Melton, Keider Montero, Jackson Jobe and River Ryan.
Twins: Carson Kelly, C
Jeffers’ likely departure via free agency has the Twins in the market for a catcher, and while the list of free agents at the position is thin, Kelly could be a good option. The 32-year-old is an experienced backstop with a decent bat who has been reasonably effective behind the plate. Kelly's relative success against the run game makes him a fit for a team that would like to improve in that regard.
White Sox: Clay Holmes, RHP
Any free-agent starter not named Skubal fits in this category for the White Sox, who have returned to relevance following their 2026 turnaround. But Chicago is aiming for more than relevance as it looks to strengthen an area that proved to be a weakness during the postseason. The White Sox are looking for one or two solid arms, and Holmes was a pitcher who intrigued them prior to last summer’s Trade Deadline.
American League West
Angels: 3B/OF Teruaki Sato
Third base has been a problem for the Angels for a while given the disastrous nature of Anthony Rendon’s long-term deal, but now that Rendon is off the books, why not fill that spot with a superstar from Japan? The Angels certainly have experience in that area, and Sato brings the type of left-handed hitter they have been lacking since their last Japanese star -- remember Shohei Ohtani? -- left as a free agent three years ago.
Astros: Trevor Rogers, LHP
The Astros’ rotation will surely need some fine-tuning this offseason after Houston ranked 27th in the Majors with a 4.81 ERA from its starters. Injuries and inconsistent performance resulted in a total of 19 pitchers starting a game for the Astros in 2026, and the current projected rotation would be all right-handed. Adding a left-hander such as Rogers -- a 29-year-old taken in the first round of the 2017 Draft -- would help balance the staff.
Athletics: Kris Bubic, LHP
The A's have been in search of pitching ever since their temporary move to West Sacramento, and with the move to Las Vegas only a season away, they may have more success luring free-agent starters on multi-year deals. Since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2024, Bubic owns a 2.90 ERA over 61 games (29 starts), earning an All-Star nod in 2025 before a rotator cuff injury brought his season to a premature end. Health is the primary concern for Bubic, but the Athletics may be in a position to take a chance on the 29-year-old.
Mariners: Alex Vesia, LHP
The Mariners are in need of reliable high-leverage arms in the bullpen -- president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said during the GM Meetings that he plans to add one or two relievers -- and Vesia fits that description perfectly. The left-hander has been a fixture in the Dodgers' bullpen since 2021, posting a 2.66 ERA over 367 appearances while striking out 438 batters in 328 innings. Left-handed hitters batted only .138 with a .471 OPS against Vesia in 2026.
Rangers: Gary Sánchez, C
Texas has been looking for answers behind the plate for years, and with their No. 6 prospect Malcolm Moore (a 2024 first-round pick) still probably a year away, the Rangers are likely to look for a new backstop to pair with Danny Jansen in 2027. Sánchez’s OPS against lefties was more than 200 points higher than Jansen's mark (.801 to .590), making him an ideal platoon partner.
National League East
Braves: Sonny Gray, RHP
The Braves would love to pair an elite starter with Chris Sale atop the rotation, and Gray -- a Tennessee native who has indicated a desire to play close to home -- would seem to be the perfect fit. Gray tied for the Major League lead with 18 wins while posting a 2.72 ERA in 2026, and having just turned 37, he’s unlikely to command more than a two-year deal.
Marlins: Sean Newcomb, LHP
Newcomb’s career has been a bit of a roller coaster, but the left-hander has settled in as a productive reliever over the past two seasons (2.91 ERA over 108 appearances). The 33-year-old recorded more than three outs in 39 of his 60 outings for the White Sox in 2026, making him a strong fit for a Marlins team that loves versatility and is in need of a lefty with a track record.
Mets: Tarik Skubal, LHP
There was no easier call on this list, as the Mets need an ace and have the money to sign the game’s top free agent. Skubal will be pursued by a number of clubs -- the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Padres are the other leading candidates -- but owner Steve Cohen is unlikely to be outbid if he decides the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner will help the Mets return to the postseason after two years on the outside looking in.
Nationals: JoJo Romero, LHP
Washington will look to remake its bullpen this offseason, and while it’s unlikely that the Nationals will get involved with the priciest relievers on the free-agent market, an experienced arm such as Romero could be a fit. The 30-year-old left-hander had a solid run with the Cardinals from 2023-26 before being traded to the Brewers this past summer and helping them win a World Series title.
Phillies: Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B/OF
Though Chisholm primarily played second base during his two years with the Yankees, he has extensive experience in the outfield, an ongoing area of need for the Phillies. Chisholm would immediately make Philadelphia’s aging roster younger, inject some much-needed speed and provide versatility with his ability to play both second and third base. Since the start of 2024, Chisholm’s 11.8 fWAR is higher than any Phillies position player during that span.
National League Central
Brewers: Austin Hedges, C
What do you get for the team that has everything? The World Series champs have no obvious holes heading into 2027, but the constant chatter about a potential William Contreras trade could have the Brewers looking at other catching options. Either Jefferson Quero or Bo Naylor could serve as Contreras’ backup, but both have Minor League options remaining and can be sent down. Adding a veteran backup to replace Sánchez (or bringing back Sánchez) would give Milwaukee more depth behind the plate -- especially if a Contreras trade becomes reality.
Cardinals: Alec Bohm, 1B/3B
Third base was a problem area for the Cardinals in 2026, as their .620 OPS at the position ranked 27th in the Majors. Nolan Gorman slashed .202/.289/.364 in 225 plate appearances at the hot corner, posting a negative fWAR for the second straight season. Bohm -- who grew up in Nebraska rooting for the Cardinals -- has been the type of consistent performer that St. Louis has been missing since Nolan Arenado left town, making him a strong fit.
Cubs: Freddy Peralta, RHP
Chicago’s entire five-man rotation from the end of the season has entered free agency, so the Cubs will surely be in the market for starting pitching. A reunion with Holmes and David Peterson seems to be a possibility, but adding a veteran such as Peralta -- who knows the NL Central well and played for Craig Counsell in Milwaukee from 2018-2023 -- seems like an obvious pairing.
Pirates: Tyrone Taylor, CF
Pittsburgh struggled against left-handed pitching for much of 2026, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Pirates look for help in that department this offseason. Taylor, who can play all three outfield spots, had a .921 OPS against lefties this past season, and his plus speed and excellent defense would make him a valuable piece on a number of fronts.
Reds: Ian Happ, LF
The Reds are in need of outfield help, so why not bring in a four-time Gold Glove winner from a division rival? Happ has always seemed at home in Cincy; he played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati and has 19 home runs and a 1.008 OPS (his highest at any road ballpark) in 69 career games at Great American Ball Park. With no qualifying offer attached to him, Happ wouldn't cost the Reds a Draft pick, either.
National League West
D-backs: Joc Pederson, DH
Arizona’s .697 OPS against right-handed pitching ranked 26th in the Majors last season, while its .630 mark from the designated hitter spot ranked 28th. There may be no better fit to fix both areas than Pederson, who hit 25 home runs with an .834 OPS against righties for the Rangers in 2026. There is familiarity here, too. Pederson hit 22 homers with a .923 OPS against righties in 2024 for the Diamondbacks.
Dodgers: Mauricio Dubón, INF
The Dodgers’ roster doesn’t have many holes, but a number of their everyday players are hitting their mid-to-late 30s, making the addition of another super-utility man a logical fit. Tommy Edman saw most of his action at second base and in the outfield, but with Dubón logging time at shortstop and in the outfield, he would provide manager Dave Roberts with another versatile weapon to use on a daily basis.
Giants: Foster Griffin, LHP
San Francisco’s rotation currently includes Logan Webb, Landen Roupp and Adrian Houser, so adding an arm or two this offseason would seem to be a must. Griffin had a strong season in his return from Japan, going 15-6 with a 3.60 ERA while becoming a first-time All-Star, setting him up for a multi-year contract.
Padres: Shota Imanaga, LHP
With King, Mize, Robbie Ray, Nick Pivetta, Walker Buehler and Griffin Canning all on the free-agent market, plus Yu Darvish uncertain to pitch again, the Padres need starting pitching in the worst way. Imanaga topped the 170-inning mark in two of his three seasons with the Cubs, and San Diego’s pitcher-friendly ballpark would be a good fit for the fly ball pitcher.
Rockies: Jordan Montgomery, LHP
The Rockies seem to be on an eternal search for starting pitching, but attracting arms to hitter-friendly Coors Field is no easy task. Montgomery has thrown only 26 innings since the end of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and while Colorado isn’t necessarily the place for a pitcher to reestablish his value, the Rockies are one of the few teams that could offer him a chance to start every five days to find his old form. Montgomery’s ground-ball rate in 2026 was 58.4%, making him a good fit for the Rockies.