2024 MLB Free Agents: Rumors, Predictions for Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, More

2024 MLB Free Agents: Rumors, Predictions for Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, More0 of 3

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The arrival of the MLB postseason brings with it exciting playoff baseball on the field and shifts the attention of the front office off of it and into free agency, where teams will look to bolster their rosters with fresh faces and in some cases, megastars looking for that elusive World Series title.

This offseason will feature several top names, such as Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, and Max Fried, all deciding where they will continue their careers for the foreseeable future.

Ahead of that frenzied period, find out the latest rumors on where they might head and predictions on where they will ultimately sign with this preview.

Pete Alonso1 of 3

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Pete Alonso will get his bag this offseason, with estimates well over $100 million for the MLB All-Star first baseman. It is not difficult to see why, either. Despite some struggles defensively, Alonso has 226 home runs to his name since arriving in the majors in 2019 and is one of the premier power hitters in the game.

Teams will line up to have a shot at acquiring him, especially if they are a player or two away from winning a World Series.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post linked Alonso to many teams, including the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs.

With big chunks of money already coming off the books, and injuries to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander meaning the team is no longer on the hook for those former aces, the Mets will have plenty to work with in terms of signing free agents or re-signing key members of the organization.

That includes Alonso.

The team had numerous opportunities to deal Alonso over the last two seasons and chose not to, meaning he could walk this offseason and the team would get nothing in return. The fact that they did not trade him suggests the organization believes it can get a deal done and keep him in the Big Apple.

Alonso told reporters before this year’s deadline that he is proud to be a Met and wants to stay.

He, more than anyone, can make that happen.

Prediction: Alonso re-signs with New York

Juan Soto2 of 3

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If and when the New York Yankees win the AL East, it will be because of the addition of Juan Soto to the roster. A second big-time hitter alongside Aaron Judge, Soto has had a magnificent year for the Bronx Bombers, tallying 40 home runs, 105 RBI, and a WAR of 7.6.

Had it not been for his teammate, Soto would be a clear contender for AL MVP, so it stands to reason that the former National and Padre would be one of the most coveted free agents this offseason.

That he is just 26 years old, an anomaly in the majors for a free agent makes him that much more desirable.

ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote, “Soto’s fusion of talent, durability and age — reaching free agency at 26 is a money-making anomaly — is expected to spark a bidding war starting at $500 million” and linked Soto to the Mets.

Heyman seconded the connection to the Mets and added the Phillies as a potential landing spot for the right-fielder.

The Yankees want to keep him in New York for the rest of his career, understanding the impact the pairing of Soto and Judge would have on the team’s ability to win a World Series (or several).

The Mets will have money to spend, especially if they cannot convince Alonso to stay (and even so if they do), meaning it could very well come down to a bidding war between Hank Steinbrenner and Steve Cohen for the services of one of the best young players in the game.

One has to wonder if the allure of being the guy on a team means anything to Soto. Of the three teams mentioned by Castillo and Heyman, all have established stars in Judge, Francisco Lindor, and Bryce Harper.

Could that drive Soto elsewhere, to a team where he would be the unquestioned face of the franchise?

Perhaps, with Castillo also noting the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs as possible landing spots.

Still, there is something about playing meaningful baseball in New York that cannot be matched. Whether it is for the Mets or the Yankees, expect Soto to stay put in the media capital of the world.

Prediction: Soto stays in NYC

Max Fried3 of 3

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Max Fried missed 73 games this season for the Atlanta Braves after suffering a strained left forearm. The injury led to his worst season since 2019, with an ERA of 3.42, a win-loss record of 10-10, and 63 earned runs.

Still, when healthy, Fried is among the best pitchers in the game and will be one of the most sought-after players in free agency. Manager Brian Snitker seems to know it, too, reminiscing as he discussed watching his talented lefty evolve over the years.

“He’s been really good for his time here, that’s for sure. He burst on the scene here when he was a kid. I’ve had a really cool seat watching Max mature and come into being one of the elite left-handed pitchers in our game,” he said.

Heyman linked Fried to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where his former teammate, Jack Flaherty, has thrived for one of the best teams in the game. It is an intriguing match-up, with the one weak spot on that team being the starting pitcher and Fried likely wanting to continue his career for a contending team.

Considering the Dodgers have a seemingly endless pile of cash from which to pay any free agent the organization sets its sights on, the financials would not seem to be an issue. What would be if the team takes a liking to another free-agent pitcher, such as Corbin Burnes.

Still, if the Dodgers are willing to pay and Fried can convince them that the injuries that plagued his 2024 season are anomalous rather than a trend, it is a match made in baseball heaven.

Prediction: Fried signs with the Dodgers