After I was a child, considered one of my favourite actions throughout lengthy street journeys with my household was Mad Libs.
Do not forget that one? Each web page was a narrative with plenty of clean areas, requiring gamers to fill these areas in with totally different phrases to create the entire story.
With the Winter Conferences just one week away, we figured we’d attempt a Scorching Range model of Mad Libs, the place we fill within the blanks for all 30 groups with potential free-agent targets.
This checklist isn’t meant to function a prediction of what’s to return this winter, however reasonably a possibility to attempt studying tea leaves and connecting dots.
1. Each participant must be from one other group (no incumbents).
2. Every participant could be on the checklist solely as soon as.
That implies that plenty of notable free brokers weren’t included, however don’t learn into that by way of their total markets. Gamers equivalent to Robert Suarez, J.T. Realmuto, Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito will discover loads of suitors regardless of not being listed beneath.
With out additional ado, right here’s the newest try at enjoying free-agent matchmaker in our annual “30 free brokers for 30 groups” checklist.
Blue Jays: Kyle Tucker, OFToronto has already made the largest splash of the offseason by agreeing to a seven-year take care of Dylan Stop, so why cease there? Tucker is the consensus No. 1 free agent in the marketplace and would make a harmful lineup even higher. Simply think about the nightmare pitchers would face with Tucker and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting back-to-back for the following decade.
Orioles: Framber Valdez, LHPBaltimore has already added a bat (Taylor Ward) and a reliever (Ryan Helsley), however the Orioles want beginning pitching as badly as any group within the Majors, placing them out there for the highest arms. Valdez is the oldest of the bunch (he’s getting into his age-32 season), however he has the longest monitor document, has postseason expertise, and will signal for fewer years than a number of the others.
Rays: Mike Yastrzemski, OFThe Rays want outfield assist after posting a cumulative .663 OPS among the many three spots, rating thirteenth within the AL. Yastrzemski has been a constant 2- to 3-WAR participant all through his profession and has averaged 18 house runs and a .741 OPS in 135 video games per season because the begin of 2021.
Crimson Sox: Pete Alonso, 1BFirst base was a problem for the Crimson Sox, who might not be offered on Triston Casas as the longer term on the place. Boston desires so as to add an influence bat, and few gamers on this yr’s market can have the influence of Alonso, who slugged 38 homers with 126 RBIs and an .871 OPS final season.
Yankees: Bo Bichette, SSBichette and the Blue Jays may nonetheless have a reunion, however what if the Yankees made a powerful bid for the shortstop? Many view Bichette as a future second baseman, however with Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgical procedure and Jazz Chisholm Jr. set to turn into a free agent subsequent yr, Bichette may step in at shortstop and provides New York a long-term plan at second base if Chisholm leaves.
Guardians: Austin Hays, OFHays’ finest seasons got here between 2021 and ‘23 in Baltimore, however the 30-year-old had a strong yr with the Reds in 2025. His 15 house runs, 64 RBIs and .768 OPS in 103 video games would have made him the chief in all three classes within the Guardians’ outfield, as Cleveland ranked final within the AL in outfield OPS (.629).
Royals: Harrison Bader, OFKansas Metropolis received little or no manufacturing out of middle discipline final season (six house runs, 47 RBIs, .645 OPS), with Kyle Isbel getting about 70% of the at-bats. Bader had the very best offensive season of his profession in 2025, recording profession highs in house runs (17), RBIs (54) and OPS (.796) whereas rating within the 92nd percentile with 7 Outs Above Common.
Tigers: Alex Bregman, 3BIf this one appears acquainted, it’s. Bregman and the Tigers danced the free-agent dance final yr earlier than the third baseman signed with the Crimson Sox, however with no qualifying supply hooked up this yr, may issues be totally different? Detroit’s .628 OPS at third base ranked final within the AL, making the new nook a transparent want for the Tigers.
Twins: Rhys Hoskins, 1BThe Twins may use an improve at first base and a right-handed energy bat, making Hoskins a great match. He’s getting into his age-33 season and performed in solely 90 video games in 2025, however the veteran is just one yr faraway from a 26-homer season for the Brewers, a complete he reached or exceeded in every of his 5 full seasons previous to final yr.
White Sox: Adolis García, OFGarcía turned a free agent after the Rangers non-tendered him, and though he hasn’t appeared just like the two-time All-Star who averaged 32 homers, 99 RBIs and a .777 OPS between 2021 and ‘23, García nonetheless averaged 22 house runs and 80 RBIs in the course of the previous two seasons, albeit with a .675 OPS. García may look to signal a one-year deal in an effort to re-establish his worth.
Astros: Ranger Suárez, LHPHunter Brown emerged because the Astros’ ace in 2025, however with Framber Valdez possible headed elsewhere as a free agent, Houston might want to exchange the sturdy, dependable left-hander. Suárez threw a career-high 157 1/3 innings final season, however his postseason monitor document — he’s 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA in 11 profession appearances (8 begins) — is the very best of the free-agent bunch.
Angels: Zac Gallen, RHPThe Angels’ everlasting seek for beginning pitching continues this winter, and whereas they aren’t anticipated to be main gamers for the highest 4 or 5 arms out there, the concept of bringing in a former ace trying to re-establish himself could possibly be interesting. Gallen had a career-high 4.83 ERA final season, however he threw 192 innings for Arizona, and he’s averaged greater than 180 frames per season because the begin of 2022 — a mark no Angels pitcher has reached since Andrew Heaney in 2018.
Athletics: Luke Weaver, RHPLast summer time’s commerce of Mason Miller left a giant gap within the Athletics’ bullpen, one they may look to fill by way of free company. Weaver had two strong years with the Yankees, although his efficiency dipped final season after a hamstring pressure despatched him to the IL for 3 weeks in June. Nonetheless, the 32-year-old ranked within the prime 20 % of the league in chase, whiff and strikeout proportion in every of the previous two seasons.
Mariners: Munetaka Murakami, 3BThe Mariners have had some success with Japanese gamers in the course of the previous 25 years, although most — except for Ichiro Suzuki, in fact — have been pitchers. Murakami is essentially the most notable energy hitter to return from NPB since Hideki Matsui in 2003, and with Eugenio Suárez prone to depart as a free agent, Seattle has a emptiness to fill at third base.
Rangers: Marcell Ozuna, DHThe Joc Pederson experiment didn’t go properly for the Rangers, who ranked final within the AL with a .607 OPS out of the DH spot final season. Ozuna had a down yr in Atlanta, hitting 21 house runs with 68 RBIs and a .756 OPS in 145 video games, although he averaged 39 homers, 102 RBIs and a .916 OPS from 2023-24. The 35-year-old might not get again to these ranges, however even final yr’s manufacturing can be an improve for Texas.
Braves: Brad Keller, RHPKeller had nice success in a reduction position with the Cubs in 2025, posting a 2.07 ERA in 68 appearances. The Braves had success changing Reynaldo López from a reliever right into a starter, and Keller is a main candidate to make that transition in 2026. Atlanta wants bullpen assist, as properly, so Keller would give the Braves choices relying on how the remainder of their offseason performs out.
Marlins: Kyle Finnegan, RHPMiami ranked twelfth within the NL with a 4.28 bullpen ERA final season, whereas saves chief Calvin Faucher blew 5 of his 20 save alternatives. The Marlins plan to spend forward of subsequent season, and whereas they’re unlikely to spend large on the highest closers, Finnegan would give them a confirmed arm within the again finish of the bullpen.
Mets: Cody Bellinger, OF/1BThe latest commerce of Brandon Nimmo opened a spot within the Mets’ outfield, creating a possibility for Bellinger, who proved his means to carry out in New York throughout his first season with the Yankees. Bellinger would additionally present first-base insurance coverage within the occasion that Pete Alonso indicators elsewhere.
Phillies: Rob Refsnyder, OFPhiladelphia’s prime targets stay Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, however the Phillies may use a right-handed bat within the outfield to enrich Brandon Marsh and/or Justin Crawford — particularly if Harrison Bader indicators elsewhere. Refsnyder, who can play all three outfield positions, had seven house runs and a .959 OPS in 138 plate appearances in opposition to lefties final season.
Nationals: Ryan O’Hearn, 1B/OF/DHWashington has graduated plenty of place gamers via its system over the previous two years, however first base stays a necessity. O’Hearn made his first All-Star group in 2025, hitting 17 house runs with an .803 OPS in 144 video games with the Orioles and Padres. The 32-year-old can even play proper discipline, offering versatility to whichever group indicators him.
Cubs: Michael King, RHPEven with the return of Shota Imanaga by way of the qualifying supply, the Cubs are out there for a frontline starter this offseason. King is among the most gifted arms out there, and after lacking a bit of 2025 with a thoracic nerve damage and a knee situation, he may signal for fewer years than a number of the different prime beginning pitchers.
Reds: Kyle Schwarber, DHSchwarber hails from close by Middletown, Ohio, and whereas free brokers don’t are inclined to base their selections on a want to return house, it’s the one factor the Reds can supply that no different group can. Cincinnati wants a giant bat, and whereas it stays to be seen whether or not the Reds might be keen to spend what it’s going to take to land Schwarber, the match is ideal.
Brewers: Devin Williams, RHPWilliams’ lone season in New York didn’t go the way in which the free agent hoped it might, probably costing him some cash this winter. What higher place to signal to re-establish his worth than Milwaukee, the location of his best successes? If Williams is searching for a one-year take care of an eye fixed on testing free company once more subsequent yr, the Brewers could possibly be the perfect touchdown spot.
Pirates: Eugenio Suárez, 3BAll indicators level to the Pirates spending some cash in free company this winter, and given their want for offense, including a two-time All-Star who slugged 49 house runs final season can be a great place to begin. Suárez’s protection at third base is beneath common, however Pittsburgh may give him some at-bats at DH, as properly.
Cardinals: Tyler Mahle, RHPThe Cardinals are clearly in reset mode after buying and selling Sonny Grey, with extra offers prone to come this winter. However St. Louis is in want of rotation assist for 2026, and with long-term offers seemingly not in its plans, the membership may look to beginning pitchers keen to signal for a yr or two. Mahle was 6-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 16 begins for the Rangers final season, however he hasn’t reached the 100-inning mark since 2022, so he may look to take a one-year take care of the hopes of placing collectively a wholesome yr earlier than testing free company once more subsequent offseason.
D-backs: Kazuma Okamoto, 3BHaving traded each Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez final summer time, Arizona had openings at each corner-infield positions. Jordan Lawlar and/or Blaze Alexander could possibly be the reply at third, however Okamoto — who can play both nook spot — could possibly be an intriguing choice at first. A six-time NPB All-Star, Okamoto hit 248 profession house runs in 11 seasons with Yomiuri, together with six straight 30-homer campaigns from 2018-23.
Rockies: Luis Arraez, 1BArraez had his lowest batting common (.292), OPS (.719) and OPS+ (99) of his profession in 2025, however he nonetheless led the NL with 181 hits and had a 3.5% strikeout fee — the bottom any hitter has had since Tony Gwynn in 1995. The Rockies had the very best strikeout fee and lowest OPS of any group within the Majors, to not point out a gap at first base. Quirky stat: Arraez has by no means struck out in 53 profession plate appearances at Coors Subject.
Dodgers: Edwin Díaz, RHPEven after signing Tanner Scott a yr in the past, the Dodgers discovered themselves trying to find a solution within the ninth inning by the top of the season. Roki Sasaki crammed the position via the postseason, however he’s anticipated to return to the rotation, leaving a emptiness within the ninth inning. Díaz opted out of the ultimate two years of his record-setting, five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, and whether or not or not he exceeds that together with his subsequent deal, he’s an ideal match for a group that by no means hesitates to spend.
Padres: Cody Ponce, RHPSan Diego has some main rotation points, as Dylan Stop reached a take care of Toronto, Michael King is a free agent and Yu Darvish is slated to overlook the season following elbow surgical procedure. And not using a ton of payroll flexibility, the Padres could possibly be compelled to suppose exterior the field, and Ponce — who posted a 1.89 ERA in 180 2/3 innings for the Hanwha Eagles within the KBO in 2025 after three seasons in Japan — is hoping to be the newest pitcher to search out success within the Majors following a powerful stint in Asia.
Giants: Tatsuya Imai, RHPSan Francisco has taken its shot at Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki over the previous few years, solely to observe all three signal with the rival Dodgers. Imai, considered one of Japan’s prime pitchers, lately mentioned he would “reasonably take them down” than signal with the Dodgers, so what higher group to try this with than Los Angeles’ historic rival? Slotting Imai in a rotation with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray would give the Giants a lift within the aggressive NL West.
