Big Contracts, Bigger Questions define MLB Free Agency

The stove is hot in the world of baseball, and with Free Agency coming to a close and pitchers and catchers reporting in the coming weeks, now is a good time to look back on this year's cycle, while also seeing how real lockout talks are coming in 2027.

The biggest move this offseason is undoubtedly Kyle Tucker heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a move that everyone thought would happen, but refused to believe until it actually did happen.

Tucker signed with LA on a four-year, $240 million deal.

The news broke, and fans instantly started clamoring for a salary cap and a salary floor to stop the Dodgers ridiculous spending.

They continued to spend by signing former Met Edwin Diaz. Diaz signed a three-year $69 million deal. Diaz becomes the highest-paid reliever in the league and will serve as LA’s closer in 2026.

Another former Met who packed his bags is Pete Alonso, this time heading for Baltimore. The Orioles signed Alonso on a whopping five-year, $155 million contract. It is without a doubt an overpay for Alonso, but one that Baltimore needed to make in order to expand their lineup.

The Mets did an excellent job rebounding from their losses.

They signed Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. This is a slam dunk for New York, who needed a bat after losing Alonso.

To replace Diaz, the Mets brought in former Brewers and Yankees closer Devin Williams. Williams, who struggled with the Yankees in the early part of 2025, found his groove late and will likely take over the closing duties in Queens.

​​

The Mets also brought in ALCS hero, Jorge Polanco, from the Seattle Mariners. Polanco will technically be Pete Alonso’s “replacement” as he’ll take over first base for the majority of 2026.

The final addition the Mets made was a big one, trading for Milwaukee Brewers ace, Freddy Peralta.

The Mets traded for Peralta and Tobias Myers, who will likely be used out of the bullpen in 2026. They sent Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams to Milwaukee in the deal.

Williams was a Top 5 prospect for New York, and Sproat was called up late in 2025 and held his own in the big leagues.

Overall, a good deal for both sides, but with Milwaukee's reluctance to pay their top starter, it once again opens a salary floor possibility.

The largest deal in terms of years is Dylan Cease’s. He’s heading to the Toronto Blue Jays on a seven-year, $210 million contract.

This is a relatively okay deal for Toronto. Cease is 30, so paying a starter $30 million until he’s 37 might not be in Toronto’s best interest, but hey, it’s not my money.

The worst deal of the offseason, however, has to go to the Chicago Cubs. They signed Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million deal. Bregman, who will be 32 come opening day, is a declining player who missed nearly 50 games last season.

His defense has gotten significantly worse over the years, and he will likely be a designated hitter sooner rather than later.

Kyle Schwarber unsurprisingly resigned with the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal.

I said Bregman was the biggest overpay, but Philly may have outdone Chicago here. $30 million per season for a guy who hasn’t hit over .250 since 2021?

Let’s get serious, Philly. I know you lost out on Bo Bichette, but there was no reason to go AWOL. He’s a DH! He doesn’t play the field!

The Yankees brought back two of their core outfielders, those being Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham.

Both guys provide a solid bat, and as much as it pains me to say this as a Met fan, I actually liked the moves the Yankees made this offseason.

The final signing we’ll discuss is my favorite of the offseason and it’s from the Boston Red Sox, who signed Ranger Suarez on a five-year, $130 million contract.

Suarez is coming off the best season of his career, where he had a career low as a starter, 3.20 ERA. It’s honestly a bargain as the Red Sox will only pay him $26 million per year.

That’s $14 million less than Framber Valdez will make with the Tigers.

The bottom line is, the market is extremely inflated. The Dodgers of the world are reaping the benefits, and teams like the Pirates can’t keep up. The 2027 offseason will change the state of baseball forever.

Will the MLB lockout? Maybe. Will the CBA agree? Hopefully. Regardless, I urge fans to enjoy this season because who knows where we’ll stand come this time in 2027.

Sawyer Bogaty is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at sgb5468@psu.edu.