The 2026 MLB offseason reset the market in a way the sport hasn't seen before.
Kyle Tucker's four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers set a new AAV record at $57.1 million, while Dylan Cease's seven-year, $210 million pact with Toronto and Alex Bregman's opt-out-fueled move to the Cubs showed just how aggressively contenders were willing to spend to close roster gaps. Six months later, the ripple effects are still shaping how teams build around this year's trade deadline and next winter's market.
With the 2026 season now into its second half, attention is already shifting to the star power set to hit free agency after this year. It's a deep class headlined by reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who's extension-eligible in Detroit but could become the most coveted arm to reach the open market in years if a deal doesn't get done before October. George Springer, Trent Grisham and a rotation-heavy group of arms give bettors plenty to work with on next team and re-signing markets well before free agency officially opens.
Below, we break down the top names in the 2027 free agent class, track next-team odds for where they could land, and revisit the biggest signings from this past winter that reshaped the league. We'll also walk through how to actually bet these markets, from moneyline-style next-team props to over/under win total shifts tied to star player movement.
Notable 2027 MLB unrestricted free agents
(Previous average annual value courtesy Spotrac)
| Player | Position | Team | Previous AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Rendon | 3B |  Angels |
$35,000,000 |
| Tarik Skubal | SP |  Tigers |
$32,000,000 |
| George Springer | RF |  Blue Jays |
$25,000,000 |
| Robbie Ray | SP |  Giants |
$23,000,000 |
| Trent Grisham | CF |  Yankees |
$22,025,000 |
| Gleyber Torres | 2B | Tigers |
$22,025,000 |
| Brandon Woodruff | SP |  Brewers |
$22,025,000 |
| Zac Gallen | SP |  Diamondbacks |
$22,025,000 |
| Shota Imanaga | SP |  Cubs |
$22,025,000 |
| Kevin Gausman | SP | Blue Jays |
$22,000,000 |
| Ian Happ | LF | Cubs |
$20,333,333 |
| Ha-seong Kim | SS |  Braves |
$20,000,000 |
| Chris Bassitt | SP |  Orioles |
$18,500,000 |
| Jack Flaherty | SP | Tigers |
$17,500,000 |
| Seiya Suzuki | RF | Cubs |
$17,000,000 |
| Rhys Hoskins | 1B |  Guardians |
$17,000,000 |
| Lance McCullers | SP |  Astros |
$17,000,000 |
| Jameson Taillon | SP | Cubs |
$17,000,000 |
| Randy Arozarena | LF |  Mariners |
$16,000,000 |
| Raisel Iglesias | RP | Braves |
$16,000,000 |
Tarik Skubal headlines the class by a wide margin. The Detroit Tigers ace is coming off a $32 million AAV and has already established himself as one of the sport's premier arms; unless Detroit locks him up with an extension, he'll set a new benchmark for starting pitcher contracts.
He won't be the only frontline starter available: Robbie Ray, Zac Gallen, Shota Imanaga, Brandon Woodruff and Kevin Gausman all carry AAVs north of $22 million and give this class one of the deepest starting pitching pools in recent memory.
The position-player side is led (in terms of 2026 salary) by Anthony Rendon, whose $35 million AAV with the Angels makes him the highest-paid player entering the class, along with George Springer, who's spent his current deal as a middle-of-the-order fixture in Toronto. Trent Grisham and Gleyber Torres, both coming off age-27-or-younger platform seasons, represent two of the more team-friendly bets in the group, while Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki give the Cubs a pair of outfield decisions to make almost simultaneously.
Further down the board, names like Ha-seong Kim, Chris Bassitt, Jack Flaherty and Rhys Hoskins round out a class with real depth at multiple positions. Raisel Iglesias stands out as the top reliever available, a group that tends to see some of the sharpest line movement on next-team markets since bullpen needs shift quickly at the deadline and into the winter.
MLB next team odds
Next team odds for the 2027 free agent class haven't opened yet; books typically wait until closer to the trade deadline or the start of the offseason to post opening lines, once there's more clarity on which players will actually reach free agency versus get extended.
We'll update this section with live odds as soon as they're available, so check back as the season progresses.
Notable 2026 MLB free agent signings
Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers (3 years, $115 million): The left-hander signed with the Tigers on a deal that includes an opt-out after the second year and deferred money. Valdez's $38.3 million AAV sets a record for left-handed pitchers, reuniting him with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who managed him during his first two seasons with the Astros. The 32-year-old posted a 3.66 ERA over 192 innings in 2025 and will pair with two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal atop Detroit's rotation.
Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds (1 year, $15 million): The 34-year-old slugger returned to Cincinnati, where he spent 2015-21 and hit 189 home runs. Suarez comes off a monster 2025 season with 49 homers and 118 RBIs split between Arizona and Seattle. The deal includes a $16 million mutual option for 2027. Despite post-trade deadline struggles with the Mariners, Suarez provides significant right-handed power and will primarily DH for the Reds.
Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (4 years, $240 million): The top free agent of the class signed with the back-to-back World Series champions in a blockbuster deal. Tucker's contract includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons and carries the highest AAV in MLB history at $57.1 million after deferrals. The four-time All-Star joins a loaded Dodgers lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
Bo Bichette, New York Mets (3 years, $126 million): Bichette spurned the Phillies to sign with the Mets on a deal featuring opt-outs after the first and second years, a $40 million signing bonus, and a full no-trade clause. His $42 million AAV ties for sixth-highest in baseball history. The two-time All-Star will move to third base with Francisco Lindor at shortstop.
Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees (5 years, $162.5 million): The 2019 NL MVP returned to the Yankees after a lengthy standoff, securing a deal with opt-outs after the second and third years, a $20 million signing bonus, and a full no-trade clause. Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in his first season with New York in 2025.
Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles (5 years, $155 million): The Polar Bear left the Mets after seven seasons, signing with Baltimore at the winter meetings. Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 homers and 126 RBIs in 2025, proving his 2024 struggles were an outlier. The Orioles added significant right-handed power to balance their lineup.
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies (5 years, $150 million): Schwarber returned to Philadelphia, turning down a similar offer from Baltimore to remain with the defending NL champions.
Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays (7 years, $210 million): The Blue Jays bolstered their rotation by landing the ace starter of the 2026 free agent class.
Alex Bregman, Chicago Cubs (5 years, $175 million): The three-time All-Star opted out of his contract with Boston after one strong season and signed with the Cubs. The deal includes a full no-trade clause and represents the third-largest contract in Cubs history.
Ranger Suarez, Boston Red Sox (5 years, $130 million): The Red Sox addressed their rotation needs by signing Suarez after missing out on re-signing Bregman.
How to bet MLB free agent markets
Next team odds are the most common way sportsbooks let you bet on free agency, essentially a moneyline on which team a player signs with, including a "Field" or "Other" option covering every team not individually listed. These odds move constantly as reports and beat writer chatter surface, so line shopping across books matters more here than in almost any other MLB market; a player's odds to land with a specific contender can shift 100+ points within a single reporting cycle.
Futures and props tied to signings are the next layer. Once a player signs, sportsbooks often release updated win total futures for that player's new team, along with division and pennant odds shifts. Betting a team's win total before a marquee free agent signs (or fading it right after) is a common way sharp bettors try to get ahead of market overreaction in either direction.
Timing is the biggest variable. Next-team odds are most volatile in the weeks around the Winter Meetings, when the bulk of top-tier deals get done. Betting early can get you better value on a popular destination before the market catches up, but it also means betting with less information; a team's payroll flexibility, injury situations, and even ownership mandates can all shift a player's market in the final weeks.
For extension-eligible players like Skubal, keep an eye on in-season deadlines too, since a deal getting done in-season effectively settles the market before free agency even opens.
MLB Free Agency Betting FAQs
Tarik Skubal headlines the class. The reigning AL Cy Young winner is coming off a $32 million AAV with the Tigers, and unless Detroit locks him up with an extension before he reaches the open market, he's positioned to reset the price for elite starting pitching.
Free agency opens five days after the World Series ends, once all 2026 postseason games have concluded. Players become free agents at that point unless they're extended, tendered a qualifying offer, or under club control through other means.
Kyle Tucker's four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers set the mark, carrying an AAV of $57.1 million after deferrals — the highest average annual value in MLB history at the time of signing.
Next team odds function like a moneyline on which club a free agent signs with, including a "Field" option covering every team not listed individually. These lines move quickly as reports surface, especially around the Winter Meetings, so shopping multiple books for the best number matters more here than on most MLB markets.
