Browsing: Agents

Back in August, we took an early look at this yearâ€s free-agent class, identifying 10 players who will likely draw plenty of attention this winter.

With the postseason in full swing and the field down to two teams, it seemed like a good time to dig a little deeper, as 28 clubs are already formulating a plan to make 2026 an even more successful season.

MLB.com takes a look at the Top 30 potential free agents for the 2025-26 class, a group that includes a little bit of everything. Some of these players have opt-out clauses they are expected to trigger, so while theyâ€re not officially impending free agents at the moment, we believe they will hit the open market once November arrives.

(Ages listed represent the playerâ€s 2026 baseball age)

Tucker started his first season with the Cubs on a tear, hitting 17 home runs with 52 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and a .931 OPS through June. A right hand fracture might have contributed to Tuckerâ€s step back offensively in July and August, but he remains the best and most well-rounded player on the free-agent market this winter, having been worth at least 4.0 fWAR in every year since 2021.

Potential fits: Cubs, Dodgers, Giants

After waiting out the winter for the right deal, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million pact with the Red Sox that included $60 million in deferrals and opt-outs after 2025 and ’26. Injuries limited Bregman to only 114 games this season, but he performed well when he was available, posting an .822 OPS with 18 homers. Bregman plans to opt out of his contract, giving free agency a try for the second consecutive season.

Potential fits: Phillies, Red Sox, Tigers

Players entering their age-33 season donâ€t tend to find themselves this high on the list, but Schwarber is an exception. His plus power helped him lead the National League with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs while playing in all 162 games, setting a career-high in bWAR (4.7) and fWAR (4.9). Schwarber can play left field on occasion, but heâ€s essentially a full-time DH who will make any lineup better immediately upon arrival.

Potential fits: Phillies, Rangers, Reds

After leading the AL in hits in 2021 and ’22 and making his second career All-Star team in ’23, Bichette had a nightmarish ’24, playing in only 81 games — and unproductive ones, at that. This season, Bichette looked like his old self, leading the league with 181 hits before a left knee sprain ended his regular season. Bichette finished the year with 18 homers, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games, and with a thin shortstop market, heâ€ll be in position to score big in his first foray into free agency.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Tigers

After signing a one-year deal with the Cubs in 2023 and a three-year deal with Chicago in 2024, Bellinger — who was traded to the Yankees last winter — plans to opt out of the final year and $25 million to test free agency once again this winter. After an uneven 2024 campaign, Bellinger thrived in the Bronx in ’25, belting 29 home runs with 98 RBIs and an .814 OPS in 152 games, and posting his highest bWAR (5.0) since 2019 (8.7), when he won NL MVP honors. The versatile slugger has been a perfect fit for the Yankees, but other teams could try to pry him away from New York with the long-term deal that has evaded him to this point.

Potential fits: Mets, Tigers, Yankees

Like Bregman, it took Alonso until mid-February to land a deal, re-signing with the Mets for two years and $54 million. Alonso has said he plans to opt out of the final year and $24 million of the deal to give free agency another try, and with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs and an .871 OPS in 162 games this season — not to mention the absence of a qualifying offer — he should draw more interest than he did a year ago.

Potential fits: Giants, Mets, Red Sox

Murakami has what one scout called “legit power,†belting 246 home runs over eight seasons, including a 56-homer campaign in 2022 that broke Sadaharu Ohâ€s 58-year-old record for homers by a Japanese-born player. Murakami is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows this winter, becoming the first pure power hitter since Hideki Matsui to make the jump from NPB to the Majors.

Potential fits: Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees

King has quietly emerged as one of the gameâ€s top starters since making the move from the bullpen, posting a 3.10 ERA in his two seasons in the Padres†rotation. The right-hander was limited to 15 starts this season due to a nerve impingement near his shoulder and a knee injury, but King — who is expected to decline his $15 million mutual option to become a free agent — should still be one of the most sought-after arms during the offseason.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Padres, Yankees

Valdez was on track to be the top starting pitcher in this yearâ€s free-agent class, going 11-4 with a 2.62 ERA through his first 21 starts and striking out 141 batters over 134 innings. A lackluster finish to his season — he was 2-7 with a 6.05 ERA over his final 10 starts — and a highly publicized cross-up incident in which he (intentionally?) hit his catcher in the chest with a fastball following a home run have raised some questions, but his track record as a workhorse should put him in good position to land a healthy deal.

Potential fits: Astros, Blue Jays, Cardinals

Cease struggled with consistency this season, posting an 8-12 record with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts. His velocity, whiff percentage and strikeout percentage all remain near the top of the league rankings, though walks and a lack of ground balls came back to hurt him at times. Cease remains one of the most durable starters in the game — he posted his fifth consecutive season with at least 32 starts — and he will surely draw interest from several pitching-needy clubs after striking out more than 200 batters for a fifth consecutive season.

Potential fits: Angels, Mets, Orioles

An All-Star in 2024, Suárez opened this season in spectacular fashion, going 7-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 13 first-half starts. He struggled after the break (5-5, 4.40 ERA), but Suárez has posted a 3.59 ERA in four full seasons as a starting pitcher, providing solid work over that stretch. He might not be coveted by contenders as a No. 1, but Suárez should score a nice deal as a No. 2 or 3 starter.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Giants, Phillies

The jewel of this summerâ€s Trade Deadline, Suárez had a monster four months with Arizona (36 home runs, .897 OPS in 106 games) before coming back to Earth after being traded to Seattle (13 homers, .683 OPS in 53 games). There are higher-profile power hitters on the market, such as Schwarber and Alonso, but the 34-year-old Suárez — who ranked near the bottom of the league in strikeout percentage — will require fewer years and/or less money than those two.

Potential fits: Angels, Mariners, Pirates

Essentially an afterthought in the trade that sent Juan Soto from the Padres to the Yankees before the 2024 season, Grisham wound up being a key bat in replacing Sotoâ€s production in New Yorkâ€s 2025 lineup. Grisham belted 34 home runs — double his previous high — while setting career bests in RBIs (74), OPS (.811) and OPS+ (125). Grisham also ranked near the top of the league in walk percentage (96th percentile) and chase percentage (99th) and posting a career-best 3.5 bWAR. The Yankees could extend a qualifying offer to Grisham, though New Yorkâ€s plans for re-signing Bellinger — not to mention how they view youngsters Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones — might impact which direction it goes with Grisham.

Potential fits: Mets, Rangers, Royals

Unlike his teammate Alonso, Díaz hasnâ€t yet declared his intention to opt out of the final two years and $37 million of the five-year, $102 million deal he signed with the Mets in November 2022. The right-hander had a stellar season in 2025, posting a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves in 31 opportunities, striking out 98 batters in 66 1/3 innings. Díaz ranked near the top of the league in whiff percentage, strikeout percentage and barrel percentage, looking like his vintage self in his second season back from a torn patellar tendon.

Potential fits: Mets, Orioles, Yankees

Naylor had a solid season for the Diamondbacks and Mariners, hitting 20 home runs with 92 RBIs and 30 stolen bases and an .815 OPS. The 2024 All-Star is solid defensively at first base and has strong bat-to-ball skills, ranking in the 91st percentile in strikeout percentage (13.7%) this season, though he has a tendency to swing at pitches out of the zone, evidenced by his 37.1% chase percentage, which ranked in the bottom 10 percent of the league.

Potential fits: Mariners, Nationals, Rockies

Arraez won three consecutive batting titles and made three All-Star teams with three clubs between 2022-24, hitting .328 with a .797 OPS during that three-year span. His numbers dipped a little in 2025, as he hit .292 with a .719 OPS, but he still led the NL with 181 hits and ranked at the top of the league in whiff, strikeout and Squared-Up percentage, remaining one of the elite contact hitters in the game. Arraezâ€s below-average defense (-9 OAA) could cause some teams to look at him in a DH role, but heâ€ll be a solid presence in whatever lineup he winds up with.

Potential fits: Angels, Giants, Rangers

Suarez is expected to decline his $8 million player options for 2026 and ’27, looking to convert his back-to-back All-Star seasons into a bigger contract as he enters his age-35 season. Suarez has posted consecutive seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, saving 76 games, including an NL-high 40 this season. Suarezâ€s 98.6 mph fastball ranked in the 97th percentile this season, while he placed in the top 20 percent in both strikeout and walk percentage.

Potential fits: Braves, Dodgers, Orioles

From 2020-24, Gallen was one of the most consistent starters in the league, going 50-31 with a 3.34 ERA over 128 starts. He posted a pair of stellar seasons in ’22 and ’23, averaging 197 innings and 206 strikeouts while posting a 3.04 ERA, but a right hamstring strain cost him a month in 2024, limiting him to 148 innings. His platform season was a disappointment, as he went 13-15 with a career-high 4.83 ERA in 192 innings, as hitters seemed to be on his knuckle curve more than in past seasons, slugging .438 against the pitch after posting a .230 mark against it in ’24. Gallen remains a durable innings-eater and should be a popular target despite his down year.

Potential fits: Astros, Diamondbacks, Mets

Realmuto just completed a five-year, $115.5 million contract extension with the Phillies, potentially ending a strong seven-year run in Philadelphia. His offense has been in decline over the past few seasons, bottoming out with a .700 OPS in 134 games in 2025, so while his days as an everyday All-Star catcher might be behind him, Realmuto should be the best option on a thin market at the position. Realmutoâ€s blocking and framing numbers are poor, but he remains one of the best behind the plate at controlling the running game (95th percentile in caught-stealing above average and 99th percentile in pop time).

Potential fits: Phillies, Rangers, Twins

Bieber pitched well in his return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Toronto. The veteran showed solid command in his return, posting a 4.4% walk rate, and his 49.1% ground-ball rate was better than the MLB average. Bieber will be two full years removed from surgery when the season opens in ’26, giving him — and potential suitors — reason to believe he can look like his old self.

Potential fits: Brewers, Cubs, Rangers

The Yankees acquired Williams last season with the expectation that they were getting one of the best relievers in the game after he posted a 1.66 ERA between 2022-24. Instead, Williams struggled in New York, his inconsistent performances resulting in a demotion from the closerâ€s role, which he eventually regained before losing it again. A year ago, Williams was on track to challenge Díazâ€s record for a relief-pitching contract, but his uneven ’25 could force him to sign a shorter-term deal to re-establish his value moving forward. He recently said that having a chance to close games will likely factor into his decision this winter.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Tigers

Itâ€s unclear whether Flaherty will opt out of the final year and $20 million of his contract with the Tigers, which would send him back to the free-agent market for the third consecutive offseason. Flahertyâ€s 2025 season (8-15, 4.64 ERA in 161 innings) wasnâ€t as strong as his ’24 campaign (13-7, 3.17 ERA in 162 innings), but he would not have a qualifying offer attached to him this time around, which could open his market to some extent.

Potential fits: Braves, Mets, Orioles

Polancoâ€s regular season already categorized 2025 as a success, as he rebounded with 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, an .821 OPS and 134 OPS+ in 138 games. But the veteran took his game to another level in October, producing game-winning hits in three consecutive contests while helping the Mariners reach the ALCS. Polanco is expected to decline his $6 million player option to test free agency for a second consecutive offseason.

Potential fits: Angels, Rockies, Twins

The oldest player on our list, Kelly continues to be a sturdy mid-rotation starter as he enters his late-30s, posting a 3.47 ERA in 108 starts since the start of 2022. The right-hander went 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA for the Diamondbacks and Rangers in ’25, ranking 14th in the Majors with 184 innings pitched. Kelly has lowered his walk rate over the past two seasons, ranking in the top 25 percent in each season, and while he struck out fewer than one batter per inning, his elite chase rate (32.8%, 91st percentile) often keeps hitters off balance.

Potential fits: Diamondbacks, Padres, Pirates

Torres had to settle on a one-year, $15 million deal in his first foray into free agency, but heâ€ll give it another go after making his third career All-Star team and first since 2019. Torres slashed .284/.386/.437 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 72 games through the end of June, but his production fell off in the second half, as he posted a .229/.331/.339 slash line with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 73 games from July 1 through the end of the season. Torres†plate discipline was strong — he ranked in the 100th percentile in chase rate and 95th percentile in walk rate and placed in the top 20 percent in both whiff and strikeout percentage — but his defense was shaky, ranking in the 12th percentile with -5 OAA.

Potential fits: Cardinals, Guardians, Twins

Helsley was one of the most sought-after relievers at the Trade Deadline, but his two-month stint with the Mets was nothing short of a disaster. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances, allowing 25 hits and 11 walks in only 20 innings pitched, putting a dent in his free-agent résumé in the process. Still, the two-time All-Star had established himself as one of the top closers in the game during the three previous seasons, pitching to a 1.83 ERA while converting 82 saves in 95 opportunities, so his two-month hiccup in New York shouldnâ€t define his market this offseason.

Potential fits: Cubs, Giants, Rangers

Weaver was the Yankees†most reliable reliever during the first half, pitching to a 1.05 ERA in his first 24 outings over the first two months. A left hamstring strain sent him to the injured list, and when he returned three weeks later, Weaver was inconsistent the rest of the way, posting a 5.31 ERA over his final 40 appearances. Some late-season pitch-tipping concerns might have been a part of Weaverâ€s second-half struggles, which extended into a rough postseason, but his overall performance the past two seasons should have clubs interested. Weaver, who was a starter for much of the first eight seasons of his career, has said heâ€s open to a return to that role in the right situation.

Potential fits: Athletics, Diamondbacks, Yankees

Bassitt remains a durable innings-eater in his late 30s, topping the 170-inning mark for the fourth consecutive season in 2025. Heâ€s not overpowering hitters — his strikeout percentage (22.6) ranked in the middle of the AL — but he induces weak contact with his sinker-cutter-curveball mix, ranking in the top 20 percent in average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage. Bassitt also ranked in the top third of MLB in ground-ball percentage and walk rate, and he should be able to fill a mid-rotation spot on a one- or two-year deal.

Potential fits: Brewers, Nationals, Orioles

After missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery, Giolito had a solid return this past season, going 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Red Sox — his best season since ’21. Giolito missed the Wild Card Series with right elbow discomfort, so potential suitors will study his medicals very closely, but after throwing 145 innings in ’25, he should have a market for his services.

Potential fits: Angels, Astros, Diamondbacks

A decorated slugger in Japan, Okamoto will be posted by the Yomiuri Giants this winter, making him available to big league clubs. Okamoto, who became a full-time player with the Giants in 2018, is a six-time NPB All-Star who has won three home run titles, though there will be questions about his ability to hit higher-velocity pitchers in the Majors. The 29-year-old has 248 career home runs in 1,074 games with Yomiuri, including six consecutive 30-homer campaigns between 2018-23. Okamoto has played more third base than first in Japan, though itâ€s unclear how Major League teams will view him at the hot corner.

Potential fits: Cubs, Mets, Yankees

Honorable mentions: Cedric Mullins, Harrison Bader, Walker Buehler, Zach Eflin, Paul Goldschmidt, Rhys Hoskins, Dustin May, Ryan Oâ€Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, Justin Verlander, Brandon Woodruff

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But itâ€s likely that it will be his swan song in the Pacific Northwest. The slugging third baseman is set to become a free agent five days after the World Series ends.

“Itâ€s going to [hurt] for a long time, but it’s time to go home, start the rest,†Suárez said after Seattle was eliminated by Toronto in ALCS Game 7. “It’s time to prepare yourself for next year — be a dad, be a husband and be a good person outside, too.â€

The Mariners†most notable voids this offseason will be to fill the two positions that they massively upgraded at the Trade Deadline — third and first base — via the acquisitions of Suárez and Josh Naylor, brought in via separate deals with Arizona.

Of those two, Naylor is the more likely to return.

As beloved as Suárez is in this region, he turns 35 in July and likely will net a deal far more costly than Seattleâ€s third-base options in-house. The headliner is Colt Emerson, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the organizationâ€s No. 1 prospect. He has been brought up as a shortstop but has the makings to play the hot corner.

Emerson climbed three Minor League affiliates this year and was on the Mariners†postseason taxi squad leading into the AL Division Series. While he probably wonâ€t be considered for Opening Day, a 2026 debut is very much in play.

Thereâ€s also Ben Williamson, who had a productive rookie season and was the club’s best defensive player during his 85-game stint, though some of the limitations with his bat (.604 OPS) were why the Mariners acquired Suárez in the first place.

Suárez, meanwhile, is coming off a career-high-tying 49 homers. As such, he likely will be able to net a multiyear deal with an annual salary near the $15 million he earned in 2025, albeit likely a shorter-term pact. A reunion with the D-backs, on paper, makes sense. But there will be other teams seeking his type of pop.

“It is tough, because you do your best for your team and you want to keep going,†Suárez said. “But it is what it is. It’s a business. And just now, my mentality is go home and enjoy my family.â€

The Mariners, who notably have not been as active in free-agent spending in recent winters, are hovering in the $135 million payroll range for 2026 entering this offseason, after finishing 2025 around $165 million — which itself was a notable uptick by their measures. These figures are unofficial from Cots Baseball Contracts.

They are expected to buy this winter, but their stronger interest is in Naylor, who will be 29 on June 22. Because this is Naylorâ€s first foray into free agency, he and the Mariners did not engage in extended negotiations. But thatâ€s expected to change once free agency begins.

“He was a boost the day he showed up,†Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “I think the other then 25 guys were really uplifted by the fact that this was a real, All-Star-level player who was in the middle of having a good year, who has been the postseasons, who could come in here and give us a little bit of an edge that I’m not entirely sure we’ve ever really had before.â€

Naylor was an immediate fit, for his position, production and presence — both within the clubhouse and among the fan base. There is strong mutual interest in a reunion.

“He loves Seattle. I love being his teammate,†shortstop J.P. Crawford said. “He’s one of the smartest baseball players I’ve ever played with. He’s a great guy. He fits in great.â€

Naylorâ€s position is also a clearer need in Seattle than Suárezâ€s, especially given that the club traded away first-base prospect Tyler Locklear to acquire Suárez on July 31. If the Mariners donâ€t retain Naylor, they would be forced to add at that spot via trade or free agency.

“I’ve gotten so many compliments from friends who have watched me play, or ex-teammates I’ve played with or even just opponents who I’m playing against, like, how awesome it is in Seattle,†Naylor said, “and how cool the fan base is and how they just ride-or-die Seattle. And it’s super awesome to be a part of.â€

The Mariners†other pending free agents are designated hitter Mitch Garver and low-leverage relievers Luke Jackson and Caleb Ferguson. They are not expected to return.

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The 2025 Seattle Mariners seemed like a team of destiny at times, to the point where their first-ever World Series appearance almost felt like a sure thing.

But it was not to be. Even after 60 home runs from Cal Raleigh, a 30-30 season by Julio Rodríguez and a wildly productive trade deadline led to 90 wins and an AL West title 24 years in the making, the Mariners still bowed out of the playoffs in the ALCS after falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games.

The Mariners head into the offseason knowing that they have the foundation to contend again in 2026. Raleigh and Rodríguez are going nowhere, and they also stand to return all five of their core starting pitchers and one of MLB’s best closers, Andrés Muñoz. Further, they’re sitting on the league’s No. 1 farm system.

Many holes will have to be filled, however, including several in a lineup that was arguably the deepest in the American League by the end of the season. And for the president of baseball operations, Jerry Dipoto, the challenge is always how to make the most of a mid-sized budget.

Ahead, we’ll get into which Mariners stand to become free agents and mull potential targets on the free-agent and trade markets, culminating in a prediction for what their 2026 roster will look like.

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The Portland Trail Blazers have reached a four-year, $90 million rookie extension with guard Shaedon Sharpe and a four-year, $82 million extension with forward Toumani Camara, their agents told ESPN on Sunday.

Agents Mike George of Klutch Sports, who represents Sharpe, and Dave Putterie, who represents Camara, told ESPN of the extensions.

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Sharpe, 22, was the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA draft and is seen around the league as an ascending scorer and playmaker. In his third NBA season, he averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 72 games.

A hyperathletic wing, Sharpe shot north of 75% within 3 feet of the basket and racked up 65 dunks, and he had the highest average jump height among players to make at least 50 dunks, per GeniusIQ. He struggled with efficiency farther away from the rim but has shown a willingness to fire away from deep regardless (6.6 3-point attempts per game last season).

His seven career games with at least 30 points is the most by any Trail Blazers player before turning 22 years old.

Camara, an NBA All-Defensive second-team selection, averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 45.8% shooting last season. He also drew 91 offensive fouls last season, which was the second most in a season since player tracking began in 2013-14.

He has blossomed into a vital and durable two-way player after being picked No. 52 by the Phoenix Suns in the 2023 NBA draft. The Trail Blazers acquired him from the Suns in the three-team trade that involved Damian Lillard going to the Milwaukee Bucks and Deandre Ayton going to Portland along with Camara.

With the extension, the Blazers now lock in Camara through the 2029-30 season following a campaign in which the 6-foot-7 forward ranked ninth in total steals among NBA players and became one of seven players with 100 steals and 50 blocks in a season.

He was the first Trail Blazers player to make an All-Defensive team since the 2003-04 season, when Theo Ratliff, who was acquired via trade from the Atlanta Hawks that season, also was a second-team selection.

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The Canadiens have a very exciting situation about to unfold with their horde of young talent.

From Cole Caufield to Lane Hutson to Ivan Demidov to Juraj Slafkovský, it feels inevitable that the Habs will be a menace for years to come. Patrik Laine was a big part of their breakout last season as a weapon on the power play, however, and his legacy as an offensive spark plug could make him a hotly pursued player next summer.

Laine’s elite shot makes him a threat to score any time he’s on the ice, and many contending teams love to have specialists like that in the lineup to make teams pay, especially for taking penalties.

Are there questions about his commitment to defensive play? Yes, 100 percent there are absolutely.

However, Laine is 27 years old, which, when it comes to unrestricted free agency, would make him one of the younger players available to sign. Sure, names like Evgeni Malkin, Mats Zuccarello, Claude Giroux, and Alex Ovechkin make our heads spin at the possibility of them signing somewhere else for a year or two for juicy money, but the likelihood of those guys changing addresses seems really, really low.

Laine would certainly come with a “buyer beware” advisory, but former 30-to-40-goal scorers offer the tantalization of maybe being able to do it again.

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The Baltimore Orioles missed the playoffs in 2025, a feat that can be attributed to an injury list a mile long and the same starting pitching woes that have plagued them for years.

Dean Kremer was the ironman of the Orioles’ rotation, pitching 171.2 innings and accumulating a 4.19 ERA. Tomoyuki Sugano was so-so in his first season with a 4.64 ERA, Zach Eflin was injured more than not, and Cade Povich did Cade Povich things by allowing 65 earned runs.

Trevor Rodgers proved to be an ace in his 18 appearances, throwing 109.2 innings for an ERA of 1.81, but also faced injuries.

The team may have its star in Rodgers but it still badly needs another starter to go along with Kremer and Sugano, even more so considering Eflin is a free agent this offseason.

Nightengale reported that the Orioles “will be the most aggressive team looking for pitching this winter.”

The team has a young nucleus in the form of Sam Basallo, Gunner Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holiday, Coby Mayo, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, and Dylan Beavers. Adding a piece or two to the rotation, or improving the bullpen, would go a long way in re-establishing the O’s as a legitimate title contender.

Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, and Zac Gallen headline the free agent market this offseason and while any of them would be welcome additions in Baltimore and the type of player that would inspire excitement within the fan base, Mike Elias and the Orioles’ front office tend to like to look toward the second or third tiers to find their answers.

Chris Bassitt of Toronto, Tyler Mahle or Merrill Kelly of Texas, or Nestor Cortes of Milwaukee would fit their tendencies, as we saw last offseason with the signing of Charlie Morton.

Prediction: Orioles land a new starter and two bullpen pieces

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The start of the NHL’s annual unrestricted free-agent market is still months away (July 1), but hockey fans are already looking ahead at the quality talent that might be available by then.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov are two of the noteworthy superstars entering the final season of their current contracts. McDavid is playing coy over when he might re-sign, while Kaprizov recently rejected an eight-year, $128 million extension from the Wild.

The possibility of those two players being available could make next summer’s free-agent market the most star-studded in NHL history. That’s why we’re getting the jump on things with our way-too-early ranking of the top 2026 UFA players.

Bear in mind that most of the players (including McDavid and Kaprizov) on this ranking could end up re-signing with their current teams. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to get an early start on things by listing the cream of the crop.

We’ve excluded future Hall of Famers, such as Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, and Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane. While they are well-known stars, these aging veterans are no longer in their playing prime and could retire at the end of the season.

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Agents around the NFL called out the negotiating tactics of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his habit of personally discussing contract terms with players.

“We have — not exaggerating — probably 30 categories we use to evaluate a deal, whether it’s new money, old money, guarantee structure, whatever,” one agent told ESPN’s Todd Archer and Dan Graziano. “That’s too many moving parts, and it takes more than a handshake.”

Another agent argued for the value in having an intermediary between the player and a team’s ownership and front office.

“You have to play the game,” they said. “They want to feel the love, the connectivity with the player. But you’ve got to be willing to give pushback. You’ve got to be willing to say, ‘I can’t get into the numbers, that’s for my agent to talk about.'”

One general manager concurred with that idea.

“I just think most owners don’t want to get involved on that level,” they told ESPN. “Lots of owners like having relationships with the players, but I think if you asked them, they’d tell you they don’t want to get directly involved in the negotiations because it could affect those relationships in a negative way. This is just the way Jerry likes to run his team.”

This comes after the Cowboys traded star edge-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers after they were unable to make a breakthrough on a long-term extension.

Jones maintained he had had a handshake agreement with the four-time Pro Bowler, only for Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, to get involved and prolong the process.

An agent pointed to that saga along with the protracted negotiations leading up to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s extensions as examples of why Jones’ strategy isn’t working.

“You knew going into Year 4, you were getting a deal [if they wanted to keep you],” they told Archer and Graziano. “I used to think Jerry liked all of the attention and people talking about the Cowboys, but in the end all [the waiting] has done is cost them more money and pissed people off.”

One agent posited there is a benefit from having Jones be explicit in what he’s willing to offer before contract discussions get serious.

“I think most [agents] are used to it, but I’m fine with it,” they said. “Because you can use what [the player and Joneses] have said and say, ‘This is what they told him, why are we not getting this done?'”

Jones wound up arguably paying more to retain Prescott and Lamb than he would’ve by hammering out a deal earlier. Things also reached a stage with Parsons where Dallas deemed a trade to be the best course of action.

It’s getting harder and harder to argue Dallas’ general approach is the most efficient. Considering Jones will turn 83 in October, he’s probably not going to change his ways, though.

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There are still a handful of notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) looking to find their new homes at this point…

Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios got most of his offseason business done early this summer. But with the start…