Top 10 MLB free agents of the 2024-25 offseason: Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and more ready to shake up the market

Although nearly every single MLB fan has their attention focused on the upcoming postseason, the succeeding offseason promises to be just as exhilerating. Several of the league's top stars will see their contracts expire, throwing them headlong into free agency.

Today, we will be profiling the top MLB names set to become free agents. Keep reading to see which names will be among the hottest tickets this winter.

Top 10 MLB free agents this offseason

10. Teoscar Hernandez, LA Dodgers

The Dodgers' decision to sign Teoscar Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $23.5 million this past offseason is paying huge dividends. Now a 28-homer hitter on the season, the Dominican is five bombs short of setting a career high, and has the highest slugging percentage since 2021. Although the Dodgers have a lot of cash tied up elsewhere, keeping a bat like Hernandez' in their lineup will be a priority.

9. Christian Walker, Arizona

Christian Walker of the D-Backs is the definition of a late bloomer. While his 23 home runs rank third on his team, the first baseman was not seen as an elite hitter until 2019, when he broke out with 29 home runs. The 33-year-old will see his $10.9 million contract expire this season, and many teams will likely be interested.

8. Willy Adames, Milwaukee

For Milwaukee Brewers infielder Willy Adames, 2024 has been easily the best season of his MLB career. In addition to playing in all of his team's 140 games, the Dominican has hit 100 RBIs, which is the most in MLB. The Brewers have quietly assembled one of baseball's best hitting corps, and Adames is, and will remain, an integral part of it.

"What a heads up play by Willy Adames! #ThisIsMyCrew @Brewers" - MLB Network

7. Jack Flaherty, LA Dodgers

Right handed pitcher Jack Flaherty is boasting a career-best 3.01 in 2024, split between the Detroit Tigers and LA Dodgers. Though his figures have fallen off slightly since his deadline deal to LA, Flaherty's 174 strikeouts are his highest since he contended for the 2019 Cy Young Award. If the Dodgers choose not to re-sign him, then there will be plenty of clubs who will likely jump at the opportunity.

5. Blake Snell, San Francisco

After a nightmarish start to the beginning of his one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, 2023 NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell has bounced right back.

Since Aug. 1, Snell is 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA and 55 strikeouts in seven games. After a protracted free agency that likely impacted the start to his 2024 season, watch out for Snell to make a decision about his future early this offseason.

4. Pete Alonso, NY Mets

The dynamic at play between Pete Alonso and the New York Mets may be one of MLB's most complicated romances. A four-time All-Star and former MLB home run champ, the Mets have been hesitant to ink Alonso to anything more than a year. However, this year it looks like the Mets have to make a decision. Should Steve Cohen's front office pass up, expect Alonso to entertain some big-money offers elsehwere.

3. Alex Bregman, Houston

Alex Bregman hit a mere .221 through the first two months of the 2024 season. Regardless, the Houston Astros third baseman remained committed that he would improve, and he did.

"Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz hit homers on back-to-back pitches for the lead!" - MLB

Since July 31, Bregman has hit .293 with seven home runs and 10 RBIs. With his five-year, $100 million deal with Houston set to expire, do not be surprised if GM Dana Brown does whatever he can to keep Bregman in town.

2. Corbin Burnes, Baltimore

The Baltimore Orioles signed 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes to a one-year, $15.64 million deal last offseason with high expectations. Since then, the 29-year-old right hander has gone 13-7 with a 3.19 ERA. An MLB All-Star in 2024 for the fourth straight year, Burnes will be looking for a long-term deal come the winter season.

1. Juan Soto, NY Yankees

Anyone lucky enough to have witnessed Juan Soto's brief tenure as a member of the New York Yankees understands the infatuation that has developed among the fanbase.

"Juan Soto cracks his 38th homer of the season" - MLB

Even though the Yankees are among the league's richest teams, it is anticipated that Soto will want upwards of half a billion in his new deal. Whether or not the appetite exists for GM Brian Cashman remains to be seen.