After the Los Angeles Dodgers won back-to-back World Series titles, other teams began scrambling to acquire better assets. Free Agency, a system where players are no longer restricted to their teams and are allowed to find a new team, sign a contract, and play there instead, began on November 6, and top baseball stars have opted out of their contracts to explore Free Agency and find a new baseball city to call home.

Kyle Schwarber, the designated hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies, was one of the top stars to go into Free Agency after the 2025 MLB season. Schwarber was projected to land with the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Mets. Each of those teams offered a five-year contract for Schwarber, except the New York Mets. 

Pete Alonso, a free agent since November who formerly played for the New York Mets, has been in a long holdout with the Mets, due to contract disagreements. The Mets were hesitant to give Alonso a contract longer than three years because of his market value, which exceeded three years and $150 million, as well as his age, as the Mets want to get younger and a five-year contract would have Alonso on the team until the age of 36. 

During the 24-25 season with the Mets, Alonso had 38 home runs, 126 RBI’s, with a .272 batting average, his career high. During the Winter meetings, a bunch of organized meetings in Orlando where free agents can talk to different team organizations, the Mets chose not to speak to Alonso, allowing him to explore his options, and he did just that. 

On December 10, Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a 5-year, $155 million deal. The Mets are already feeling the effects of losing, probably, if not, their best closing pitcher, Edwin Diaz, to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 3-year, $69 million contract, as well as already paying Shortstop Francisco Lindor $341 million and a record-breaking $765 million contract for right fielder, Juan Soto. The Mets have the second-highest payroll, with their current payroll for 2026 being around $230 million.

Other big baseball names still in the Free Agency market include Cody Bellinger, who declined his contract with the New York Yankees with $25 million left. One of his landing teams is the Toronto Blue Jays, who recently made it to the World Series, and are division rivals to the Yankees. Ranger Suárez, a left-handed pitcher who the Philadelphia Phillies heavily rely on in the pitching rotation, and Alex Bregman, a third baseman who last played with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman opted out of his 3-year, $120 million contract that he signed back in February. However, some signs suggest he could resign with the Red Sox.

The constant movement of players and shocking signings is what brings excitement to MLB Free Agency, even if it means losing a beloved player in the process.