This winter’s free agency class is loaded with talent, with talent ranging from Yankees superstar Juan Soto to Orioles ace Corbin Burnes.
A ton of teams across the league will be looking to buy these superstar players. Where will the top 10 free agent starting pitchers land this winter?
1. RHP Corbin Burnes
The Orioles need to bring Burnes back more than anything. Baltimore has the young core on offense to continue developing its daunting offensive attack, but its pitching staff is very shallow.
Baltimore will likely pay up in order to keep Burnes going forward. If the Orioles don’t, they will regret it.
Prediction: Baltimore Orioles
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2. LHP Blake Snell
Blake Snell will be heading where the money is. The New York Mets are set to lose a few starting pitchers, which puts them in the perfect position to add Snell.
Owner Steve Cohen is going to be aggressively spending this offseason. If the Mets miss on Soto (which I think they will), they will be the heavy favorites to land Snell on the long-term deal that he’s looking for.
Prediction: New York Mets
3. LHP Max Fried
The Boston Red Sox need a starting pitcher desperately this winter. Boston will be involved in the bidding wars for all the top arms.
But it’s Max Fried’s high school connection with Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito that moves the needle here. Fried leaves Atlanta and heads off to Boston to team back up with Giolito.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
4. RHP Jack Flaherty
Jack Flaherty was acquired at the trade deadline by the Dodgers, who he helped win a World Series. At the championship parade, Flaherty voiced his eagerness to return to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles wants Flaherty back and Flaherty wants to return. Flaherty returns to Los Angeles on a two or three-year contract.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
5. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
The Astros gave up an arm and a leg to acquire Yusei Kikuchi at the trade deadline. Kikuchi was excellent in 10 starts with Houston during the back half of 2024 (2.70 ERA).
Houston gave up too much to acquire Kikuchi for them to let him walk in free agency. The Astros will cough up the money that it takes to bring the southpaw back.
Prediction: Houston Astros
6. RHP Shane Bieber
Shane Bieber missed all but two starts of the 2024 season because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. But Bieber should be back at some point in 2025, likely during the front half of the season.
Bieber has been a reliable ace for Cleveland and the Guardians will be aggressive in trying to bring him back. When healthy, Bieber is an elite arm.
Prediction: Cleveland Guardians
7. RHP Walker Buehler
Walker Buehler was a big question mark for the Dodgers all season long. Injuries derailed him from a Cy Young-caliber career. The 2024 campaign was full of injuries as well, but Buehler turned his play up in the World Series.
His play in the World Series should be enough for the Dodgers to lock him up for the next few seasons.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
8. LHP Sean Manaea
Sean Manaea had a solid season with the Mets, but New York likely won’t be bringing him back. He posted a 3.47 ERA with the Mets last season.
The Royals will add a top-10 starter this offseason. They have a few solid arms, but they need another one to compete for the World Series. That arm will be Manaea if the Royals play their cards right this winter.
Prediction: Kansas City Royals
9. RHP Nick Martinez
The Cincinnati Reds came to love Nick Martinez, both for his play and his personality. But he recently opted out of his player option.
That doesn’t mean his time in the Queen City is over, though. The Cincinnati front office will pay up to try to win in year one of the “Tito Francona era.”
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds
10. RHP Luis Severino
The Detroit Tigers were one or two starting pitchers away from seriously competing for the AL Pennant in 2024. Heading into 2025, they’ll have their eyes locked on the top arms of the market.
Detroit will pay up to acquire one of these pitchers, but it won’t be able to match the money to acquire a top arm like Burnes, Fried or Snell. The Tigers will land somebody in the middle-tier range with Luis Severino being the arm that ends up in the Motor City.
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
More MLB: MLB Insider Links Orioles To Massive Free Agency Signing, Trade This Offseason
