Various groups (and their fanbases) have already turned their consideration in direction of the offseason. Figuring out free agent targets is an enormous a part of that prep work, so it’s price looking on the gamers who’ll be accessible at every place.
We’re shifting to shortstop, the place there’s one man clearly above the remainder of the pack, although even he comes with notable query marks. The market behind him shall be formed by a few key choice selections. Ages listed are for the 2026 season.
Earlier entries on this collection: catcher, first base, second base, third base
High of the Class
Bichette will hit free company at a comparatively younger age and coming off a robust season on the plate. Aside from an injury-marred 2024, his offense has been persistently above common. By the tip of 2023, he had a .299/.340/.487 line and 126 wRC+. He has by no means drawn tons of walks however can also be robust to strike out. He had a 143 wRC+ in his temporary 2019 debut however then was within the 120-129 vary in 4 straight seasons after that.
As talked about, he struggled badly whereas taking part in via various accidents final yr. The top end result was a .225/.277/.322 line and 70 wRC+. This yr, till lately, he was wholesome and again to his outdated self. He completed 2025 with a .311/.357/.483 line and 134 wRC+.
There’s no doubting the bat however there are different questions. Bichette’s protection has by no means been extremely rated. Defensive Runs Saved has given him a -19 grade in his profession. Outs Above Common places him at -32. His 2025 season resulted in -12 DRS and -13 OAA. These numbers from this yr had been each final amongst shortstops.
Then there’s the well being stuff. Bichette has handled decrease physique accidents in three straight seasons now. Proper knee and quad accidents despatched him to the injured record late in 2023. Final yr, it was principally his proper calf which was inflicting him issues. This yr, he suffered a sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a collision with Yankee catcher Austin Wells, as seen on this clip from MLB.com. He’s now been out greater than a month, having missed the tip of the common season and all of Toronto’s postseason run to date.
Lately, sturdy on a regular basis shortstops like Willy Adames, Dansby Swanson, Javier Báez and Trevor Story have earned ensures within the $140-$182MM vary. Bichette is a greater hitter than anybody in that group was once they hit free company. He’s additionally a yr youthful than all of them had been. The questions on his protection and well being ought to dock him considerably however he ought to nonetheless have loads of incomes energy. Maybe not many golf equipment view him as a viable shortstop however the bat is sweet sufficient that it won’t matter. Marcus Semien obtained $175MM to maneuver to second base and Bichette may observe that path.
Two Massive Choice Selections
Kim can choose out of the ultimate yr of his contract, which might imply leaving $16MM on the desk. He isn’t coming off an excellent season, having hit simply .234/.304/.345 for a wRC+ of 82. Nevertheless, he’s no less than wholesome. Final offseason, he obtained a two-year, $29MM assure despite the fact that he was recovering from shoulder surgical procedure and was slated to overlook the start of the season. He’s unlikely to safe a large deal, however one other two-year cope with an opt-out must be accessible to him, particularly with so few viable options on this record.
Previous to his shoulder surgical procedure, he had a robust run with the Padres. From 2022 to 2024, he slashed .250/.336/.385 for a 106 wRC+ whereas stealing 72 bases and offering high quality protection at varied positions. FanGraphs credited him with 10.5 wins above substitute over these three seasons, a tempo of three.5 WAR yearly. He didn’t instantly bounce again in 2025 however maybe he can discover a new gear now that he’s additional faraway from surgical procedure.
Story is arguably within the inverse place of Kim. He had a greater season in 2025 however has much less of a case for opting out. He had roughly league common offense this yr however that features a sluggish begin after three injury-marred years. As soon as he obtained in a groove, he stayed in it. He had a .216/.260/.326 line and 59 wRC+ via the tip of Might however then slashed .289/.334/.492 for a 124 wRC+ from June onwards. He additionally stole 31 bases on the yr.
Nevertheless, his protection was graded poorly and he’s about to show 33 years outdated. He has two years and $55MM left on his deal. Regardless of his sturdy season, his age and harm historical past could scare groups away from investing in him. He could also be tempted to set off the opt-out, as that forces the Sox to determine whether or not or to not hold him by triggering his 2028 membership choice. However since his contract regarded like an albatross only a few months in the past, the Sox could be joyful to let him stroll. They might strive Marcelo Mayer at quick after which use Story’s cash to re-sign Alex Bregman or add pitching.
Multi-Positional Sorts
Castro had a strong few years with the Twins however his manufacturing cratered on the worst time. He slashed .251/.334/.395 for a 107 wRC+ over 2023 and 2024 whereas stealing 47 bases and bouncing throughout the diamond. His numbers this yr had been proper on that tempo till he was traded to the Cubs. After the swap, he hit .170/.245/.240 for a wRC+ of 40. That terrible end will minimize into his incomes energy and he’s not a robust sufficient defender to be an on a regular basis shortstop anyway. However he can play there in a pinch whereas additionally being an choice mainly all over the place else. He doesn’t have a ton of juice however even light-hitting utility varieties have worth. The Blue Jays gave Isiah Kiner-Falefa $15MM over two years heading into 2024, for example, and IKF has by no means had an above-average offensive season.
Talking of which, that two-year pact is about to run out, that means IKF shall be again on the market once more this winter. The Jays traded him to the Pirates final yr however obtained him again through a waiver declare right here in 2025. He hit .266/.302/.356 for a wRC+ of 84 over the course of the deal however was nonetheless price 2.8 fWAR because of his 26 stolen bases and robust glovework at varied positions. He’s at present getting a good quantity of taking part in time from a membership on the doorstep of the World Collection. It’s not probably the most thrilling profile however IKF is a extra viable defensive shortstop than Castro. Contemplating the dearth of choices in the marketplace, somebody ought to have the ability to discover a position for him.
Rojas has mentioned he plans to retire after 2026 and hopes that he can stick with the Dodgers for his closing season. He’s been fairly strong prior to now couple of years, hitting .273/.328/.404 for a 105 wRC+ whereas persevering with to be a viable defender across the grime. If it’s not with the Dodgers, another membership could be joyful to make the most of him in an identical bench/utility position.
Minor League Deal Candidates
