Unpredictable November Sets the Stage for MLB Offseason

As the winter meetings approach on December 7, Major League Baseball's offseason is already buzzing following an eventful November. Traditionally, this time of year marks the unofficial kickoff for teams to dive into offseason transactions, but this year has seen an unexpected flurry of activity.

Four notable free agents—Brandon Woodruff, Trent Grisham, Shota Imanaga, and Gleyber Torres—accepted one-year qualifying offers, while Josh Naylor and Raisel Iglesias re-signed with their respective teams for 2025. Additionally, Dylan Cease and Ryan Helsley opted for new clubs this offseason, with Cease receiving a whopping $210 million deal.

The trade market shook as well, highlighted by three major trades: Taylor Ward was exchanged for Grayson Rodriguez, Marcus Semien was dealt for Brandon Nimmo, and Sonny Gray joined the Red Sox in a formidable offseason shuffle.

December commenced with another significant move when Devin Williams signed with the Mets, adding to the excitement of the available free agents ahead of what is expected to be a hectic week of transactions.

Updated Rankings of Free Agents

As the market dynamics shift, certain players are poised to attract interest. Players are ranked based on their projected Average Annual Value (AAV), factoring in positional scarcity and recent performances. Here are some of the top free agents:

25. Justin Verlander, RHP, 42 years old: With a 3.85 ERA in 2025, Verlander remains a hot commodity in search of a one-year deal.24. Luis Arráez, 1B/2B, 28 years old: A contact hitting standout, but with limitations in power and on-base percentage.23. Harrison Bader, CF, 31 years old: Back to form, Bader's elite glove makes him an appealing option for teams in need of outfield depth.

22. Ha-Seong Kim, SS, 30 years old: Despite injuries affecting his season, Kim's potential remains intriguing given the sparse middle infield market.21. Jorge Polanco, UTIL, 32 years old: A versatile player with a strong postseason showing, Polanco's versatility will attract interest from teams seeking infield help.

This year's free agent class is filled with talent and potential, with each signing likely to make significant waves across the league as teams gear up for the next season. The next 7-10 days will be pivotal as teams finalize their rosters for 2026.