MLB 2025-26 Free Agency Season: Analysis and Grades
The MLB 2025-26 offseason is here! At Alofoke Deportes, we keep you informed of every important move, from star signings to the most impactful trades. We offer detailed analysis and ratings so you don’t miss anything happening in this winter market. Whether it’s a million-dollar signing that redefines your team’s future or a trade that shakes up the league, we provide you with key information on what each move means for the upcoming season and beyond. Stay tuned to Alofoke Deportes for the freshest and most complete analysis, constantly updated until the start of spring training.Red Sox Bolster Rotation with Trade with St. Louis
Red Sox receive:
- Right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray
- $20 million in cash
Cardinals receive:
- Left-handed pitcher Brandon Clarke
- Right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts
Red Sox Grade: B+
The Red Sox had a solid rotation in 2025, led by Garrett Crochet, with Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito offering consistent performance. Although this allowed them to return to the postseason, Giolito’s departure led the Red Sox to look for a veteran pitcher to replace him. Sonny Gray, at 36 years old, arrives after two consecutive seasons with more than 200 strikeouts and leading the National League in strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Red Sox restructured Gray’s contract, paying him $31 million in 2026 with a mutual option for $10 million in 2027, essentially making it a one-year signing for $41 million (with the Cardinals covering half). It’s a great deal for Gray, who undoubtedly waived his no-trade clause to leave St. Louis. As a pitcher, Gray has an interesting profile. When he gets to two strikes, he is one of the best in the league, with a strikeout rate close to 52%. His “sweeper” pitch is his main weapon for strikeouts, with 111 of his 201 strikeouts. However, his effectiveness with fastballs was a problem, with hitters batting .370 and .585 slugging against his four-seam fastball and .281 and .484 against his sinker. This resulted in 25 home runs allowed and an ERA of 4.28, despite his excellent strikeout and walk numbers. With a fastball averaging 92 mph, the situation might not improve. Gray threw his three fastball variations 53% of the time, so the Red Sox could suggest a different pitch mix. Overall, Gray covers a big gap without the Red Sox having to commit to a long-term contract, and they didn’t give up any player projected to be an impact player for them in 2026.Cardinals Grade: C
Although it’s not a salary dump, it has that look, although the Cardinals at least contributed $20 million to get a better return on the player. Fitts could be a back-end-of-the-rotation player, and given the weaknesses in St. Louis’ rotation, he’s almost certain to get that opportunity. Clarke, a lefty with a power fastball, was drafted in 2024. His slider was hit hard and didn’t generate enough swings and misses.Rangers and Mets Trade Veterans
Mets receive:
- Second base Marcus Semien
Rangers receive:
- Gardener Brandon Nimmo
Mets Rating: C+
Quality veteran swaps are rare these days. This deal, which brings Semien to New York in exchange for Nimmo, is interesting, but not a big-impact move. The valuations at Baseball Trade Values well illustrate the contracts involved. For the Mets, Semien, 35, has seen his offensive numbers decline. In the last two seasons, his batting has been slightly below the league average. However, Semien is a much better defender than McNeil. Semien is coming off his second Gold Glove, an honor backed by consistently strong fielding metrics. Although Semien’s contract has a higher average annual value than Nimmo’s, it is shorter in duration and will reduce New York’s considerable long-term obligations. The Mets have a large number of high-quality infield prospects, such as Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, and Jett Williams, all with considerably more potential than Semien at this moment.Rangers Grade: C+
Nimmo is a better hitter than Semien and should be a considerable upgrade for Texas in the outfield. He is not as good a defender as Garcia, especially in terms of arm strength. In their effort to remake an offense that needed an overhaul, the Rangers could be hurting their defense. Nimmo is a better hitter for average and has the best plate discipline of the trio. These are characteristics that the Rangers’ offense needed. Nimmo’s contract is a problem, but it’s more of a long-term issue than in 2026, when he will earn $5.5 million less than Semien. The Rangers are looking to reorganize while controlling spending, and this is the type of deal that helps that agenda. The Rangers can worry about the real downside of the Nimmo deal later. For now, they can hope that moving to a new stage boosts Nimmo’s numbers.The Orioles Trade Their Former Star Prospect for an Angels Power Hitter
Orioles receive:
- Left fielder Taylor Ward
Angels receive:
- Right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez
Orioles Grade: D
This trade, which was announced on November 18, is the first of the offseason. Ward will be a free agent after the 2026 season, while Rodriguez has four seasons remaining of team control. Ward, 32, has been a decent player, but his skill set is limited. He is someone who is acquired for his hitting. Ward hit a maximum of 36 home runs in 2025, but his underlying numbers suggest that he overperformed in that area. He is a patient player at the plate, which has led to a consistently low average. This could be acceptable for a year from a productive hitter who would likely earn between 12 and 14 million dollars. But, at the cost of four years from a pitcher with Rodríguez’s potential?Angels Rating: A-
This is about the potential for an Angels pitching staff desperate for a true number 1 starter. The combination of high ceiling and controllable seasons is attractive. The mere possibility of Rodríguez fulfilling that potential in an Angels uniform is an exciting notion for fans in Anaheim. The deal opens a hole in the garden for the Angels without an obvious solution within the organization. But finding a free agent replacement that approximates or surpasses Ward’s production shouldn’t be very costly.All for the low price of a Taylor Ward season? I’m in!
The Mariners Kick Off Winter by Re-signing Naylor
The agreement: 5 years, $92.5 millionRating: A-
The re-signing of Josh Naylor by the Seattle Mariners was predictable, so it’s no surprise that this is the first significant signing of the offseason. The front office made it clear that re-signing Naylor was their top priority. The Mariners have been looking for a long-term solution at first base for nearly 20 years. Naylor provided a great spark down the stretch, batting .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 54 games. Naylor is a high-contact hitter in the middle of the order; he finished with the seventeenth-best strikeout rate among qualified hitters in 2025. He can steal bases. He doesn’t look fast in the field, but his Statcast defensive metrics have been above average in each of the last four seasons. It’s not a star, but he’s a safe and predictable player to rely on for the coming years. This deal extends to his age 33 season, so there may be some risk at the end of the contract, but for a team with championship aspirations in 2026, the Mariners needed Naylor to return. The front office will be happy with this signing, and so will Mariners fans.
