MLB 2025-26 Free Agency Season: Analysis and Grades
The MLB 2025-26 movement season is already here! At Alofoke Deportes, we keep you updated with analysis and ratings of every important signing and trade this winter.
Whether it’s a free agent signing that changes the course of your team or a high-impact trade, we’ll evaluate each move and what it means for next season and beyond. This article will be constantly updated with the latest analysis.
Blue Jays: First Big Move with Dylan Cease
The Blue Jays have made the first big move in the market, securing pitcher Dylan Cease with a seven-year, $210 million contract. Grade: B
An interesting aspect of MLB free agency is that the number of suitors for a player doesn’t always directly correlate with their value on the field. In the case of Dylan Cease, it makes sense for him to sign early while money is available. He’s a pitcher with clear skills and abilities, but with frustratingly inconsistent results, which was going to generate a large variation in how teams evaluated him and, therefore, in the offers he would receive. The $210 million deal the Blue Jays gave Cease is closer to the high end for him, given Kiley McDaniel’s projection of five years and $145 million.
Positive Aspects
- Pure Quality: The “Stuff+” metric ranks Cease’s pitches as some of the best in the majors, including a fastball that averages 97 mph.
- Durability: Cease has accumulated five consecutive seasons with at least 32 starts.
- Youth: He will enter his season at age 30, in what remains his prime.
Negative Aspects
- Inconsistency: His effectiveness (ERA) has fluctuated in the last four seasons, reflecting changes in his value as a player.
- Inefficiency: His lack of efficiency not only leads to too many walks, but also to short outings due to the high number of pitches.
In his best season, Cease’s slider was unhittable, but his effectiveness has since declined, making him a two-pitch pitcher. The Blue Jays hope that the continued development of new pitches will help him regain his form.
The Blue Jays get a solid starter to complement Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and José Berríos. The best version of Cease is a No. 2 starter who sometimes looks like an ace. If Bieber is healthy all season and Berríos’ elbow inflammation is only temporary, that’s a rotation that could be as good as any in the game.
Red Sox Bolster Rotation with Sonny Gray
The Red Sox acquire Sonny Gray and $20 million in cash in exchange for Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts. Red Sox grade: B+
The Red Sox, after a promising season, were looking for a veteran starter to replace Lucas Giolito. Gray, at 36 years old, arrives after a season of 200 strikeouts, leading the National League in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Gray’s deal has been restructured to pay him $31 million in 2026 with a $10 million buyout in a mutual option for 2027, making it a one-year contract for $41 million (with the Cardinals covering half of that amount).
Gray stands out for his ability to strike out batters, but his effectiveness is affected by his performance with his fastballs. The Red Sox could adjust their pitching strategy, as his fastball, although it is the most used pitch, has been punished in recent seasons.
The Red Sox get an experienced pitcher without a long-term commitment, and they didn’t give up any player projected to be an impact player for them in 2026.
The Cardinals receive Fitts, who could be a back-of-the-rotation pitcher, and Clarke, a left-handed pitcher with potential.
Rangers and Mets Trade Veterans
The Mets acquire Marcus Semien and the Rangers acquire Brandon Nimmo. Mets Grade: C+, Rangers Grade: C+
This trade involves players over 30 years old with expensive contracts. Semien, at 35, has seen his offensive production decline. Although he is a superior defender to McNeil, his contract is shorter and will reduce the Mets’ long-term obligations. The Mets have a large number of high-quality infield prospects.
Nimmo is a better hitter than Semien and should be an upgrade for Texas in the outfield. The Rangers are looking to improve their offense. Nimmo is a better hitter on average than both, and has the best plate discipline. The Rangers can expect the change of scenery to boost Nimmo’s numbers.
Orioles Trade Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward
The Orioles acquire Taylor Ward and the Angels acquire Grayson Rodriguez. Orioles Grade: D, Angels Grade: A-
This trade seems to favor the Angels, who are looking for a quality starter. Ward, at 32 years old, has been a decent player, but his skillset is limited. Ward hits with power, but his power game could be negatively affected by the move to Camden Yards.
The Angels are looking for Rodriguez, a pitcher with great potential. Rodriguez’s results in the Major Leagues are solid but not special. The possibility of Rodriguez fulfilling his potential is exciting for Anaheim fans.
Mariners Secure Josh Naylor with a Multi-Year Contract
The Mariners re-sign Josh Naylor to a 5-year, $92.5 million contract. Grade: A-
This signing is the first of the offseason. The Mariners needed a long-term solution at first base. Naylor provided a big boost down the stretch. 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.
Naylor is a safe and predictable player for years to come. The Mariners needed Naylor back.
