The 2026 MLB offseason is shaping up to move fast, and the calendar is the reason why. With a lengthy lockout expected to shut things down starting Dec. 2, front offices are staring at a compressed window in November to get business done before everything freezes.
That urgency is already hanging over the market. There won’t be Winter Meetings for executives to lean on, and with no guarantee the lockout ends before spring, teams are expected to push hard now rather than wait. The result should be a frenzied Hot Stove month, with free-agent signings, option decisions and trades all stacking up quickly.
At the center of it all is Tarik Skubal, the headliner of this free-agent class. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been linked to a massive payday, with speculation that he could challenge Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million record for a starting pitcher. A return to the Dodgers is one possibility being discussed, but he’s the kind of arm that should draw serious interest from a big spender.
The rest of the market has plenty of weight too. Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki headline the position-player group, while Michael King and Freddy Peralta are among the top starting pitchers available. Japan triple-crown winner Teruaki Sato is also on the board after being posted to MLB clubs, adding another intriguing bat to a market that may not have much time to breathe.
Sato’s posting became official on Nov. 1, when the Hanshin Tigers made the move. The third baseman/outfielder, who won the triple crown in Japan’s Central League this past season, is expected to be one of the most sought-after bats available, especially with the lockout pressure making timing a major factor.
There was also movement on the roster-control side of the market. Tampa Bay picked up Drew Rasmussen’s $20 million option on Nov. 1, keeping the star pitcher under team control through the 2027 season before he can reach free agency.
A day earlier, several expected decisions came through as anticipated. Nick Martinez, Michael King and Dustin May declined their options, sending them into free agency.
Tatsuya Imai went the other way and opted in, leaving $36 million remaining on his deal after a season in which he posted a 4.93 ERA. Atlanta also exercised its $17 million option on Ronald Acuna Jr. and its $7 million option on Ozzie Albies.
The Mets made one of the more notable decisions of the early offseason, too. Bo Bichette picked up the second season of his three-year, $126 million contract, meaning he’ll stay in Queens for at least another year. Bichette is set to make $42 million in 2027 after a 2026 season in which he struggled to a .702 OPS for much of the year.
The first trade of the offseason already hit the board as well. Boston dealt outfielder Nate Eaton to the A’s in exchange for Minor League right-hander Jareth Rayo.
For now, the market remains open and crowded with names. Along with Skubal, Arozarena, King, Peralta and Sato, the top free agents available include Brandon Lowe, Sonny Gray, Adrian Morejon, David Bednar, Ryan Jeffers, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trevor Rogers, Jake Bauers, Luis Arraez and Ty France. On the trade front, expect rumors to swirl around Jarren Duran, Mason Miller and Zach Neto as November unfolds.
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A's Rotation Question Suddenly Puts A Familiar Arm Back In Play
The Athletics offseason picture got a little clearer after the club declined options on Jeffrey Springs and Jeff McNeil, even as Luis Severino chose to stay on for another season. That leaves Oakland with work to do in the rotation and at second base, and it also keeps the front office in the market for short-term answers as it tries to balance immediate needs with the development of younger arms.
Springs, in particular, remains a name to watch because the As still need innings and he could be the kind of low-cost arm that fits if his market doesnt heat up. At the same time, the organization has some internal help on the way, with JT Ginn and Jacob Lopez expected to factor into the rotation mix, which gives Oakland a little more flexibility as it sorts through the winter. [Read more 🡒]