MLB Offseason Kicks Off with Free Agency and Trade Speculations

The MLB offseason is officially underway as teams shift their focus towards free agency and the trade market. With contract option decisions and the non-tender deadline past, speculation is running high about player movements that will shape the upcoming season. To prepare for an active winter, we’ve analyzed top free agents and their potential landing spots while projecting each team’s Opening Day lineup for the 2026 season.

This exercise incorporates lineup data from Baseball Reference, roster information from FanGraphs, and a healthy dose of speculation. It's important to note that names in bold indicate potential signings or trade acquisitions. While this represents a starting point for projected lineups, updates will occur throughout the offseason.

Team-by-Team Projections

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected Lineup: SS Geraldo Perdomo, 2B Ketel Marte, RF Corbin Carroll, DH Miguel Andujar, 1B Pavin Smith, C Gabriel Moreno, LF Jake McCarthy, 3B Jordan Lawlar, CF Alek Thomas

Quick Thoughts: The Diamondbacks have significant offensive firepower to replace, especially after trading Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez and losing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to injury. They may look to in-house options while hoping to add low-cost run producers.

Los Angeles Angels

Projected Lineup: SS Zach Neto, 1B Nolan Schanuel, DH Mike Trout, CF Jo Adell, RF Jorge Soler, C Logan O'Hoppe, LF Ryan O'Hearn, 3B Alec Bohm, 2B Christian Moore

Quick Thoughts: After trading away Taylor Ward, the Angels are poised for a bustling offseason, with clear gaps in the outfield and at third base that need addressing.

New York Mets

Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor, 2B Marcus Semien, RF Juan Soto, 3B Munetaka Murakami, 1B Mark Vientos, DH Brett Baty, LF Jeff McNeil, C Francisco Álvarez, CF Tyrone Taylor

Quick Thoughts: The Mets hold the financial leverage to be aggressive in free agency, possibly aiming for high-impact players like Munetaka Murakami after their earlier struggles.

Conclusion

This is just the beginning of a long offseason filled with potential trades and signings, setting the stage for exciting changes across Major League Baseball. As teams finalize their rosters and make bold moves, fans can stay tuned for updates that will shape the 2026 season.