The free agency period is slowly coming to an end, with only 14 players still receiving active bids. While most teams have filled out their rosters, a handful remain below the required 50-player minimum. In response, the league is considering a first-come, first-serve approach to signing unclaimed players. This option would only be available for teams under 50 players and apply strictly to free agents without current bids.
Big Names Still Available
Most of the major free agents have been signed, but a few top names remain on the board:
- Akira Eto (3B, Japan): Leads all free agents with 27 bids. His current offer is a three-year deal averaging $400,000 per year, likely making him the highest-paid player by annual salary in this free agency class. His contract proves that some teams are still willing to spend big.
- Masaki Saito (SP, Japan): One of the most coveted pitchers in free agency, Saito has received 18 bids and is currently looking at a six-year deal worth $285,000 per year, totaling $1,710,000. While Eto will secure the highest annual salary, Saito will walk away with the largest total contract value.
- Dante Bichette (OF): The last remaining power bat, Bichette has 12 bids and is in line for a three-year deal worth $250,000 per year.
Roster Updates and Final Moves
- 9 teams have already reached the 50-player minimum.
- 10 teams currently have at least 40 players, with 8 of those teams sitting at 45 players.
- After the next wave of signings, most rosters should be in compliance, bringing free agency to a close.
What’s Next?
With free agency wrapping up, teams will turn their attention to finalizing positional assignments, roster expansions, and player cuts. The offseason is nearing its conclusion, and that only means one thing—baseball is just around the corner.
Stay tuned for the final free agency signings and the next steps as teams prepare for the upcoming season.