Every team will be changed by free agency. And every team will look different come next March.
We all have theories who the big bidders will be. But it’s important to remember every team will have to choose between holding onto — or saying goodbye to — their own players, players who have been a part of their organization for years. Here’s a look at each team’s biggest offseason free agent.
Blue Jays: RHP Ross Stripling
The Blue Jays are pretty locked up, roster-wise, for the next two or three years. Their primary core is going to be together for a while. The biggest offseason loss may be Stripling, who is injured now but has been effective in his 16 starts since beginning the season in the bullpen.
Orioles: 2B Rougned Odor
Odor is what passes for a “veteran” on the Orioles this year, which is to say he’s 28. He’ll be on the market for whatever team is willing to ride this perpetually entertaining roller coaster.
Rays: RHP Corey Kluber
The two-time Cy Young winner hasn’t been anything close to his old form this year, but he has remained healthy most of the year, which is something he hasn’t been able to say since 2018.
Red Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts
The Red Sox have many questions to answer this offseason, not least of which is what to do when Bogaerts opts out of his contract, which he’s widely considered likely to do. (JD Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi are big questions, too.)
Yankees: OF Aaron Judge
It is likely you will be hearing quite a bit about Judge’s contract status this offseason.
Guardians: C Austin Hedges
Cleveland has structured its roster to where most of its current players are set to be around for a while. That leaves the journeyman catcher one of the only real subtract-or-keep decisions on the roster this offseason.
Royals: RHP Zack Greinke
Despite having one of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball, Greinke is still an effective pitcher. The real question is whether or not he wants to return for his 20th big league season.
Tigers: RHP Wily Peralta
Miguel Cabrera’s contract doesn’t expire until after next season, which gives us one more season to enjoy one of the best hitters of his generation.
Twins: SS Carlos Correa
Although he hasn’t had the superstar season many had hoped for, Correa is still expected to opt out of his contract and hit the market. The question is whether or not he’ll have some postseason heroics to show off before he does.
White Sox: 1B José Abreu
Abreu has seen the White Sox through many ups and downs during his nine years with the team. He’s hitting just as well as he ever has. The question is, are both sides up for a 10th?
Angels: RHP Michael Lorenzen
Lorenzen was a serviceable pitcher for the Angels this season before getting hurt. He’s hoping to return in September to showcase his stuff for the offseason … an offseason where the Halos may have some difficult decisions to make.
Astros: 1B/OF Trey Mancini
You could also go with Michael Brantley here, the injured hitter the Astros essentially brought in Mancini to replace. They’ll both be desired veteran bats this offseason, no question.
Athletics: OF Chad Pinder
In the last week, the A’s have released their other two free agents this offseason, Elvis Andrus and Stephen Piscotty.
Mariners: OF Mitch Haniger
Haniger has returned from his ankle injury just in time for a Mariners lineup that very much needs him. If he keeps hitting like he has, he could make a real case for himself when he hits the market.
Rangers: RHP Martín Perez
He has been, out of nowhere, one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. Who’s willing to bet on him doing it again? Will the Rangers let their one-time top prospect leave?
Braves: SS Dansby Swanson
Another Brave having a career year, Swanson is doing it as most of the rest of the team is locked up long-term. Will he be able to cash in as well?
Marlins: 1B Jesus Aguilar
The Marlins need a little bit of direction, and as nice as Aguilar has been for them, first base seems an obvious place to look for a big upgrade if they don’t want to rely on Lewin Díaz.
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom
He has gotten back to form just in time to maybe have an incredible postseason, opt out of his contract and hit a market that will be desperate for his services. He’ll hit it alongside teammate Edwin Díaz too. Busy offseason for these Mets.
Nationals: DH Nelson Cruz
The Nationals will surely pick up his $3 million buyout. The question is whether or not he’ll try to give it one more go.
Phillies: LHP Brad Hand
You could also go with Corey Knebel here, but it’s clear the Phillies have a good chance to lose some pieces that have helped stabilize their bullpen this year.
Brewers: OF Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen has overcome a slow start to become the cleanup hitter for a team with a real shot at a division title. He’ll be a useful presence for whichever team signs him.
Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright
Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina have announced they are retiring after this season, but Wainwright, who keeps trucking along, sure hasn’t. He’ll end up in a broadcast booth someday, but there’s no reason to rush that while he’s pitching the way he is.
Cubs: C Willson Contreras
He’ll be one of the hottest commodities on the market, although because the Cubs didn’t trade him at the Deadline, he’ll have a qualifying offer attached.
Pirates: OF Ben Gamel
Quietly, Gamel, on his fifth team in seven years, has had a league-average offensive season.
Reds: LHP Mike Minor
It has been a tough season for both Minor and the Reds, but this guy was in the top 10 of Cy Young voting just four seasons ago.
D-backs: RHP Ian Kennedy
Back in Arizona as the sort-of closer for a team out of contention — a decade after he won 21 games and finished fourth in Cy Young voting for the D-backs — Kennedy prepares to say goodbye to the desert one more time… maybe.
Dodgers: SS Trea Turner
Clayton Kershaw is always the biggest name on this list, but Turner remains a superstar in the making, and he might have some big moments to show off this postseason.
Giants: OF Joc Pederson
Pederson is hitting lefties better than he ever has before, and that, along with an All-Star nod, should serve him well this winter. Carlos Rodón is likely to join him on the market as well, along with a whole lot of other Giants.
Padres: 1B Josh Bell
The other guy to come over in the Juan Soto trade is an instant big bat for any team in need of one.
Rockies: SS José Iglesias
Iglesias has taken to Denver, as many hitters do, and is having the best full season at the plate of his career.
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