MLB Free Agency: Signings and Shake-ups

BY: MADELYN DIBIASE / STAFF WRITER

Pete Alonso tips his helmet to the Mets faithful at Citi Field, during one of his last plate appearances of the 2024 season, when his status with the Mets was up-in-the-air. (Photo: Gregory Fisher)

With the MLB offseason in full swing, free agency has been an integral part of this winter, as we approach Spring Training in February 2026. Highly anticipated moves have been happening, bringing major changes to clubhouses and batting orders this upcoming season. 

The stakes are extremely high for many teams, who are looking to make waves as the season begins, having to compete with the reigning back-to-back champions. The Los Angeles Dodgers seem like they have an infinite budget to spend on some of the most talented players to pick up a bat. This year’s free agency period is crucial, as fans are looking towards a fierce year of baseball competition. 

Starting off locally with our hometown New York Mets and New York Yankees. The Mets made headlines as they signed pitcher Devin Williams to their bullpen, an aspect of the team that has needed improvement for years. The Mets penned a three-year, $51 million deal for the reliever. Without a counteroffer from the Yankees, he took the deal to join the Mets. It sure seems like the Mets love stealing players off the Yankees roster, raising the stakes for any given Subway Series match-up. 

Devin Williams is a relief pitcher who is 30-years-old. He is coming off of his worst career year yet, which makes this deal with the Mets very questionable. Last year, with the Yankees, he held a 4.779 ERA over 67 games. In the Yankees playoff run, however, he managed to hold a 0.000 ERA, in a 4.0 inning appearance. This is no doubt an interesting move for the Mets, which caused mixed emotions from the fans. It seems like fans will have to trust in this decision, and wait to see how he begins the 2026 season to know the outcome of this signing.  

On Dec. 9, star closer for the Mets, Edwin Diaz signed a deal to join the reigning back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles offered the star closer a three-year $69 million contract, which he accepted. Diaz is coming off of a comeback year, after underperforming in the 2024 season returning from a severe injury that he sustained in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The closer held a 1.63 ERA over 62 games. This deal comes one week after the Williams deal. 

The Diaz deal is very heartbreaking for many Mets fans, as the closer made it clear that he had no intention of returning to the team. The Mets as a team, and the fanbase as a whole had been nothing but loyal to Diaz, even after he got injured and had an off-year. The Mets offered Diaz a flexible three-year $66 million deal, which is only $3 million less than the deal he took with the Dodgers. His avoidance of a negotiation with the Mets, and immediate acceptance of the Dodgers offer, blatantly demonstrates that he is chasing that championship.

On Wednesday, a shocking deal was announced by MLB Insider, Jeff Passan, which revealed that Pete Alonso is no longer a New York Met. The Baltimore Orioles offered Pete Alonso a five-year deal, where he would be getting paid a whopping $155 million. The Mets let him walk, by not putting up a fight in trying to keep their all-time home run leader. They did not make him an offer, which is the kicker for many Mets fans. The Polar Bear had a great 2025 season, and he got a great deal for his valiant efforts. 

Rumors began to swirl surrounding left-fielder Kyle Schwarber and the New York Mets, especially at the time when Alonso’s status was still undetermined. On Tuesday morning, prior to the Alonso deal, the slugging left-field star re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He agreed to a five-year deal, where he would be getting paid a deserving $150 million. 

Kyle Schwarber is coming off of a phenomenal 2025 season. He hit a .240 average, with 56 home runs, and 132 RBIs. He produces consistently for the Phils, which is why it is not surprising that they were aggressive in giving him a deal that he couldn’t pass up. His clutch hitting led to the star left-fielder to come second in MVP voting for the National League. 

Heading down to Atlanta, the Braves participated in a player swap with the Houston Astros. Veteran IF/OF Utility Player Mauricio Dubón was traded to the Braves, which brought in infielder Nick Allen. Dubón is a Gold Glove-caliber player, and the trade comes only one day following the DFA of infielder Ramón Urías. However,  the move itself had financial intentions behind it. 

The Astros are expected to aggressively pursue the pitching market throughout this offseason. Pawning off their veteran Utility player cleans up some space in their payroll department. The team now has enough financial capacity to be able to bring in valuable arms to their bullpen. Dubón’s contract includes a salary of $6.1 million, which he signed with the Braves. Allen will be getting paid $1.5 million. This is a difference of $5.8 million, which the Astros will be putting towards new pitching talent.

A big free agency pick-up for the Boston Red Sox comes with the acquisition of pitcher Sonny Gray. The former Cardinal of St. Louis is coming off of a respectable season. He pitched a 4.28 ERA over 180 appearances on the mound. He is set to make $38 million dollars this upcoming season, after signing a deal with St. Louis for three-years and $75 million. This paycheck has now been pawned off to Boston, where the Red Sox gain their new starting pitcher that has been a priority for the team.

The free agency period of the offseason is far from over. Every single day, new deals are being offered, players are stepping away from loyal teams and fanbases, but most importantly, teams are trying to look towards the future, making improvements for their teams to ideally make it to the Fall Classic in 2026.