Overview
- MLB.com spotlights a deep contract-year class, with Tarik Skubal chasing a third straight Cy Young and positioning to challenge the pitching contract record.
- Nine multiyear signees who stumbled in Year 1 are tagged as rebound candidates for 2026, including Jeff Hoffman after his Game 7 homer allowed and Dodgers closer Tanner Scott following a 4.74 ERA and 10 blown saves.
- FanSided highlights value plays expected to pursue one-year deals to rebuild stock, naming Tyler Kinley, Willi Castro, Griffin Canning, Nathaniel Lowe, Michael Kopech and Max Kepler.
- MLB.com notes the market still holds marquee options even after early agreements for Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto, with names such as Zac Gallen, Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer still available.
- Gallen’s free agency draws attention after a difficult 2025 overall but a 3.32 ERA over his final 11 starts, with some outlets suggesting a short-term contract with opt-outs is possible.