The most significant imminent free agent for each team in 2024-25…
With the Trade Deadline behind us, many pending free agents have found themselves on new teams, as “rental players” for the stretch run. Others remained where they were, potentially for one last march toward the postseason.
Either way, though, the Hot Stove looms. So today, we take a look at the most significant player on each team who is slated to become a free agent over the offseason, while factoring in the likelihood of any options or opt-out clauses being exercised.
AL EAST
Blue Jays: LHP Ryan Yarbrough
2025 seasonal age: 33
A reliever acquired in a Deadline deal with the Dodgers for Kevin Kiermaier, Yarbrough is the only option here. The Blue Jays, in rather high-profile fashion, traded all of their impending free agents while hanging on to anyone who can help them win in 2025.
Orioles: RHP Corbin Burnes
2025 seasonal age: 30
Outfielder Anthony Santander also has an expiring contract, but the Orioles have a lot of their postseason hopes riding on Burnes, who was acquired from the Brewers last offseason despite the potential that he would be a one-year rental. It’s working out well so far, and Burnes will have a chance to make himself a lot more money this October.
Rays: 2B Brandon Lowe
2025 seasonal age: 30
Lowe is the only option remaining here after the Deadline, but the Rays have a $10.5 million club option on him for 2025 (plus an $11.5 million club option for 2026.) Even if that’s too much for the Rays, given Lowe’s injury history and the team’s budget, Tampa Bay could pick up the option and then look to trade him.
Red Sox: OF Tyler O’Neill
2025 seasonal age: 30
O’Neill was always a bet-on-himself candidate for his final contract year after being traded by the Cardinals, and that sure looks like a successful bet right now.
Yankees: OF Juan Soto
2025 seasonal age: 26
You might have heard a little bit about his pending free agency. If the Yankees don’t get him re-signed by the end of the year — and there’s not much reason to think they will — he’s going to be the single biggest story of the offseason, every day of the offseason.
