The majority of this offseason’s free agent class will put the final touches on their resumes on Sunday, when the regular season ends.
But for those lucky enough to get a ticket to October, there is a significant opportunity to make a strong closing statement under the brightest lights and drive stocks higher before lighting the hot stove.
Before hitting the free agent market, MLB.com highlights some of the impending free agents who have a chance to shine in October or who are still in contention for a wild card spot.
(And before you send out an angry memo about leaving Juan Soto off your list, I didn’t include it because the Yankees slugger is already confirmed as the top available player this winter.) The result is the same whether you do it or not. Change it.)
Willie Adams, SS, Brewers
Adames had a career year in 2024, hitting 32 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .794 OPS in 159 games. Adames, the top shortstop on the market this winter, will be in demand regardless of his performance in October, but a solid showing in the postseason would only strengthen his resume.
Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets
One of the biggest hitters on the market this offseason, Alonso had a solid season despite a slight dip in his overall numbers. The 29-year-old still has 34 home runs in 158 games, so power-hungry clubs looking for a first baseman should consider him this winter. If there’s one big hole in Alonso’s resume, it’s in the postseason. His only experience came when the Mets lost three straight to the Padres in the 2022 wild-card round.
Alex Bregman, 3B, Astros
Bregman got off to a slow start in his contract year, posting a .534 OPS and one home run in his first 37 games. Since May 13, Bregman has had decent numbers this year with 25 home runs and an .836 OPS in 107 games. With 97 total playoff games under his belt, Bregman has proven his ability to play in even the brightest of environments, posting a .790 OPS and 19 home runs in the postseason, helping lead Houston to titles in 2017 and 2022. Although he has contributed, the 30-year-old could have another big October and leave a strong final impression on potential suitors.
Corbin Burnes, RHP, Orioles
Barnes is already the top pitcher on the market and could be the No. 2 overall free agent after Soto. The 29-year-old (he turns 30 on October 22) is exactly what the Orioles needed, starting 32 games in his first year in Baltimore and posting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. He had a 2.84 ERA in eight games. He has appeared in only two of his career postseason appearances as a starter. Barnes allowed four runs in four innings in his lone appearance last October. Barnes is set to benefit from a huge contract this winter, but if he has a strong postseason, that number could go up even more.
Gerrit Cole, RHP, Yankees
Cole can opt out of the final four years and $144 million of his contract at the end of the season, but the Yankees can override that opt-out by guaranteeing him $36 million for the 2029 season. . The 34-year-old missed the first two and a half months of the 2024 season with an elbow issue, but then started the first seven games of the season and posted a 5.40 ERA. Since the start of August, Cole has posted a 2.25 ERA in 10 starts, and if he performs well in October, he will get an extra year or a chance to try free agency again. There is a high possibility that
Carlos Estevez, RHP, Phillies
Philadelphia paid a hefty price to acquire the closer at the trade deadline, believing that Estevez was the final piece of the championship puzzle. The reliever made six of eight save opportunities for the Phillies and posted a 2.57 ERA in 20 games. Estevez’s only playoff appearance was against the Rockies in 2017, when he allowed one run with one out in the National League wild card game against Arizona, but if he can be a difference-maker for the deep Phillies, If that’s the case, the 31st-year player could see the old man raise his asking price this offseason.
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Dodgers
Flaherty took a gamble on himself last winter, signing a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers. After starting 18 games and posting a 2.95 ERA in Detroit, he was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline, pushing him into the highly competitive National League West. Flaherty, who turns 29 on October 15, started 10 games in Los Angeles and posted a 6-2 record with a 3.58 ERA, but the Dodgers’ season began in earnest in October, and Flaherty He has a record of 1 win, 3 losses, and an ERA of 3.60 in a total of 5 postseason games. Games between the Cardinals and Orioles (starting 4 games).
Max Fried, LHP, Braves
Fried has a solid 3.25 ERA in 29 starts, but the left-handed pitcher will finish 2024 with his highest ERA since 2019, when he pitched to a 4.02 mark. Fried will be one of the top starters available this winter, but his overall postseason record (2-4, 4.57 ERA in 19 games played/11 starts) doesn’t match his regular-season success. Fried has a chance to turn things around before he hits the free agent market for the first time, and Atlanta will need him to be in top shape to hit the free agent market.
Jason Heyward, OF, Astros
Hayward played well in September after being drafted by the Astros in late August, filling both corner outfield positions nicely in the final stages. The 35-year-old, playing his 15th season, will be a free agent for the third year in a row and will likely seek another one-year deal, but Hayward has posted a dismal .444 OPS over his 43-year career. There is. Postseason games — Yordan Alvarez could be a key part of Houston’s lineup if he is sidelined for an extended period of time.
Yusei Kikuchi, LHP, Astros
One of Houston’s key players at the trade deadline, Kikuchi started 10 games for the Astros, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.70 ERA. The 33-year-old hasn’t been very effective for the Blue Jays this season (4-9, 4.75), but he’s only made one postseason relief appearance in his career, so he’ll show what he’s capable of in October. Opportunity will come. , allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings in last season’s wild card round.
Sean Manaea, LHP, Mets
Manaea signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets in January, which allows him to opt out of his $13.5 million salary in 2025 at the end of this season. The left-handed pitcher has started 32 games for the Mets, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA, and is likely to try free agency for the second straight year. A strong showing in October would improve his opt-out situation considerably and make him an attractive arm for candidates in need of a pitcher.
Frankie Montas, RHP, Brewers
It’s been a tough two years for Montas. After being traded to New York in the summer of 2022, he pitched poorly with the Yankees, appearing in only one game in 2023 due to shoulder surgery, and then starting 19 games with a record of 4 wins, 8 losses, and an ERA of 5.01. That was the result. He was traded to the Reds this season before being traded to Milwaukee. The Brewers will rely on the 33-year-old in the postseason, and Montas could regain momentum as he returns to the free agent market for the second year in a row.
Anthony Santander, RF, Orioles
Santander had a year of walks, setting career highs in home runs (44) and RBIs (102) and posting a career-high .821 OPS in a 162-game season (during the pandemic-shortened season). His OPS was .890 (2020 campaign). Santander made his postseason debut last year, going 3-for-11 (.273) with one home run in Baltimore’s ALDS loss to Texas. If he gets a second chance on the national stage, the 29-year-old could cement himself as the second-best outfielder on the market this year behind Soto.
Tanner Scott, LHP, Padres
Scott was one of the best relievers in the game this season, posting a 1.75 ERA in 72 games with the Padres, who signed him with the Marlins before the trade deadline. Scott proved he can throw shutouts in Miami and has been used primarily in a setup role in San Diego, but he could be a big asset in high-pressure playoff situations no matter which innings he’s asked to pitch.
Luis Severino, RHP, Mets
The longtime Yankees starter left the Bronx for Queens this season, signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Mets in hopes of bouncing back from a below-average season in 2023. Severino accomplished that mission, appearing in 11 games. Although he started 31 games with seven wins and a 3.91 ERA, the 30-year-old has struggled in his postseason career, going 1-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 11 games (10 starts). . Reversing this trend would help him pursue the multi-year deal he avoided a year ago.
Gleyber Torres, 2B, Yankees
Torres made the All-Star team in each of his first full seasons (2018-19), but the second baseman hasn’t been able to regain his form over the past five years. Torres had 15 home runs, 63 RBIs, a .701 OPS, and a career-high 135 strikeouts in 153 games. The 27-year-old has an .820 OPS in 31 postseason games, so a strong October could give him momentum heading into free agency.
Gio Urshela, INF, Braves
Urshela took a significant pay cut last year and will make $8.4 million in the final year of arbitration with the Angels in 2023 before signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Tigers. Detroit released Urshela in August, but he signed with Atlanta two days later. Then, after Austin Riley broke his right hand. With Riley officially ruled out of the postseason, Urshela will have a chance to replace him and boost his stock before he becomes a free agent again.
Justin Verlander, RHP, Astros
The Hall of Fame prospect was unable to pitch the 140 innings required to trigger his $35 million vesting option and was returned to the open market ahead of his age-42 season. It remains to be seen whether Verlander will pitch in 2025 or retire, but he has started six games since returning from the IL on August 21st, posting a record of 1 win, 4 losses, and an ERA of 8.89, so it is likely that Verlander will pitch in 2025. may help you make that decision based on your own performance. In October.
Michael Wacha, RHP, Royals
The Royals’ decision to sign Wacha last winter – the sixth club since 2019 – proved key to Kansas City’s turnaround, with the right-hander declining his $16 million player option for 2025. Although it is not certain whether this will be the case, October was a strong month. It might prompt him to try free agency again. Wacha pitched in the postseason during his first three years in the majors, earning NL MVP honors as a rookie in 2013, but has made only one playoff relief appearance since 2016.
Christian Walker, 1B, D-backs
Walker spent more than a month on the IL due to an oblique injury and has had some success since returning in early September (three home runs in 20 games, .749 OPS), but the 33-year-old is the driving force behind his free agency. Agencies with strong performance in October that have the potential to become. Walker batted .217/.360/.350 with one home run, seven RBIs and six stolen bases as Arizona reached the World Series a year ago.
