Overview
- MLB.com spotlights the most compelling 2026 contract-year cases, led by Tarik Skubal, who could chase a third straight Cy Young and set up a bid to top Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million pitching record.
- Pitching levers loom large with Nick Pivetta positioned for a 2026 opt-out, Chris Sale heading toward his first free agency at 37, and Freddy Peralta, Jesús Luzardo and others poised to influence next winter’s market.
- A light crop of star bats raises stakes for players such as Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trent Grisham and Randy Arozarena to elevate their value with strong walk years, with Grisham returning to the Yankees after accepting the qualifying offer.
- A separate MLB.com rundown names nine big 2024–25 signings seeking 2026 turnarounds, including Jack Flaherty staying with the Tigers on a $20 million option, Tanner Scott rebounding after the Dodgers added Edwin Díaz, and Anthony Santander aiming to recover from an injury-marred Blue Jays debut.
- FanSided highlights potential one-year value plays that could revive careers in 2026, citing Tyler Kinley, Michael Kopech and Max Kepler, and suggests some free agents could pursue short-term, high-AAV deals with opt-outs.