MLB Free Agents 2026-27: Tarik Skubal Tops the Class as the Dec. 1 Lockout Clock Ticks
Skubal, Michael King and Freddy Peralta headline a pitching-heavy class, and teams may have only a few weeks to sign them before a possible lockout.
The World Series is over, and the market is about to open. The top 30 free agents are set to hit the market this week, according to MLB.com, and the best of them are pitchers.
The Top 15, According to MLB.com
- Tarik Skubal, LHP, 30. The two-time AL Cy Young winner is expected to set a new standard for pitching-only contracts.
- Michael King, RHP, 32. He has a player option and is likely to opt out for a longer deal after a healthy 3.21 ERA season.
- Freddy Peralta, RHP, 30. He rebounded after a midseason trade, won ALCS MVP and posted a 1.08 postseason ERA.
- Teruaki Sato, 3B/OF, 28. A 2025 Central League MVP expected to be posted from Japan's NPB.
- Seiya Suzuki, OF, 32. He set career highs in bWAR (5.1) and fWAR (4.6) with 26 homers.
- Randy Arozarena, OF, 32. He has put up back-to-back 25-homer, 25-steal seasons.
- Brandon Lowe, 2B, 32. Thirty-five homers with strong defensive numbers.
- Clay Holmes, RHP, 34. He moved to the rotation and has a 3.44 ERA since 2025.
- Adrian Morejon, LHP, 28. A 2.58 ERA since 2024, with interest possible as a starter or closer.
- Trevor Rogers, LHP, 29. He had a 1.81 ERA in 2025 and a 4.03 ERA in 2026.
- Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, 31. He broke out with 26 homers and a 3.3 bWAR.
- Luis Arraez, 2B, 30. He hit .310 in 2026.
- Ryan Jeffers, C, 30. A popular target in a thin catching market.
- Sonny Gray, RHP, 37. He led the AL with 18 wins and a 2.72 ERA.
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B, 29. An elite defender and one of the few top free agents still in his 20s.
Why the Calendar Matters
The collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1. MLB.com notes that five years ago, several nine-figure contracts were signed before the previous CBA ran out, and previews of this class say free agents have only a few weeks after the World Series to sign before a possible lockout. We explain what is at stake in our guide to the 2026 MLB lockout.
Who Needs What
The champions have their own decisions: after the Brewers' first World Series title, Milwaukee's Jake Bauers is among the names on the market. For how the season ended, read our World Series preview and the profile of Jacob Misiorowski.
Rule changes also shape what teams pay for. See our explainers on the ABS challenge system, the pitch clock and the postseason format.
Follow the offseason in our MLB coverage.
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Background from Wikipedia
Tarik Skubal
Tarik Daniel Skubal (born November 20, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Skubal was selected by the Tigers in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2020.
Skubal is a two-time American League (AL) Cy Young Award winner (2024 and 2025).
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the top MLB free agent in 2026-27?
Tarik Skubal, a 30-year-old left-handed pitcher and two-time AL Cy Young winner, is ranked No. 1 by MLB.com and is expected to set a new standard for pitching-only contracts.
When does the MLB collective bargaining agreement expire?
The current CBA expires on December 1, 2026, which MLB.com notes could change how clubs approach the offseason.
Who else is in the top five free agents?
MLB.com ranks Michael King second, Freddy Peralta third, Teruaki Sato fourth and Seiya Suzuki fifth.
Can free agents sign before a lockout?
Free agents have only a few weeks after the World Series to sign before a possible lockout, according to previews of the class. Whether one happens depends on negotiations over a new CBA.
Sources & Official Resources
Rules, schedules and statistics in this article are checked against these official sources. See our editorial policy for how we fact-check.
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