The Boston Red Sox have a number of needs to address before the 2025 MLB season.
Pitching (starting and relief), right-handed hitting, and defensive upgrades top the list. The question is, is this the offseason the front office finally decides to spend?
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If so, they’ll have plenty of options for upgrades in free agency. This year’s class — headlined by superstar outfielder Juan Soto — features multiple aces, a stud reliever, and several right-handed sluggers.
More 2025 MLB free agent rankings
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Here’s a look at the top 20 players on the market:
1. Juan Soto, OF
Age: 26
2024 stats: .288/.419/.569, 41 HR, 109 RBI, 119 SO, 129 BB (157 games)
Getty Images Juan Soto played for the New York Yankees in 2024 and is the top free agent this winter.
Soto is the unquestioned No. 1 player on the market this winter. He just turned 26 last week and already has four All-Star nods, four Silver Sluggers, two top-five MVP finishes, a batting title, and a World Series championship under his belt. He’s arguably the best hitter in the game and only now entering his prime. We can expect him to earn a deal worth up to $650 million, and he’ll likely be worth every penny.
2. Corbin Burnes, RHP
Age: 30
2024 stats: 15-8, 2.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 SO, 47 BB, 189.1 IP (31 starts)
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports Corbin Burnes played for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 after being traded by the Milwaukee Brewers
Corbin Burnes lived up to expectations as a bonafide ace after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner anchored the O’s staff and was selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth consecutive year, this time starting for the American League.
Burnes will cost a pretty penny as the most coveted pitcher on the market, but he’ll almost certainly be worth the hefty price tag. He’s proven to be one of the most durable starters in the game (three straight years with 30+ starts) and is a virtual lock to post an ERA around 3.00, roughly 200 innings, and 200 strikeouts in a season.
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
Age: 31
2024 stats: .260/.315/.453, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 86 SO, 44 BB (145 games)
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports Alex Bregman has spent all nine of his MLB seasons with the Houston Astros.
Bregman, a two-time World Series champion, is going to demand a hefty contract this offseason. The two-time All-Star is expected to rake in roughly $200 million. That’s a steep price to pay for a 31-year-old infielder, but he’s one of the best all-around players available in this year’s free-agent class.
4. Gerrit Cole, RHP
Age: 34
2024 stats: 8-5, 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 99 SO, 29 BB, 95 IP (17 starts)
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Gerrit Cole played for the New York Yankees in 2024.
Note: Cole has a $36 million player option with the New York Yankees for the 2025 season.
Cole can opt out of his deal, but if he does, the Yankees can void his decision by adding another year at $36 million. With the Cy Young right-hander coming off an elbow injury and looking less consistent as he enters his mid-30s, it will be fascinating to see how this situation plays out.
5. Blake Snell, LHP
Age: 32
2024 stats: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 104 IP (20 starts)
Getty Images Blake Snell pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 2024 after signing with them last offseason.
Despite winning the 2023 NL Cy Young award, Snell didn’t sign his free-agent contract until March 27, the eve of Opening Day. It shouldn’t take so long for teams to throw money at him this time around.
Snell posted the best K/9 rate (12.5) and FIP (2.43) of his career to prove his second Cy Young season was no fluke. He’ll be among the most sought-after arms on the market.
6. Max Fried, LHP
Age: 31
2024 stats: 10-10, 3.42 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 157 SO, 55 BB, 165.2 IP (28 starts)
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports Max Fried pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 2024.
Fried has been among the most consistent starters in the game since 2020. The veteran left-hander has posted an ERA of 3.25 or lower in each season since then, earning two All-Star nods, an NL Cy Young runner-up, and three Gold Gloves in the process. He was instrumental in the Braves’ 2021 World Series title.
As arguably the top left-hander available, Fried will be pricey. But after him, Burnes, and Snell, there aren’t many bonafide aces in this year’s free-agent class.
7. Willy Adames, SS
Age: 29
2024 stats: .251/.331/.462, 32 HR, 112 RBI, 21 SB, 173 SO, 74 BB (161 games)
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Willy Adames played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024
According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, some within the Red Sox organization