Hot stove season is here.

The 2025 MLB season has ended after a thrilling conclusion, as the Los Angeles Dodgers successfully defended their crown by beating the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2025 World Series championship. Now, the chase for the 2026 title is on.

Free agency will be fully underway soon now that the Fall Classic has ended. Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, coming off a 56-homer campaign, is the headliner of this offseason’s free agent class, but he’s far from the only big name set to hit the open market.

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez, Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker and Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette are also looking for new deals. The free agent class could also be boosted by players whose options aren’t picked up.

So, from the top players who could be available to how the qualifying offer works and more, here’s everything you need to know about MLB free agency:

When does MLB free agency start?

Players scheduled to hit free agency officially became free agents the day after the World Series ended. At that time, teams were able to re-sign their departing free agents.

But players can’t sign with a new club until 5 p.m. ET on the fifth day after the World Series ends.

When is the MLB option deadline?

The exercising of a player, club or mutual option must occur within five days following the conclusion of the World Series.

What is a qualifying offer in MLB?

Teams have five days after the World Series to extend qualifying offers to their departing free agents. A team can only extend a qualifying offer to a player who hasn’t received one before and spent the entire 2025 season on its roster.

The qualifying offer is a one-year deal with a value equal to the mean salary of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players, and a player has until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 18 to accept it.

Should a player reject the qualifying offer and then sign with a new club in free agency, the team who lost the free agent will receive a compensatory draft pick. A club that signs a rival player who rejected a qualifying offer is subject to the loss of at least one draft pick.

How much is the MLB qualifying offer worth?

This year’s qualifying offer is worth $22.025 million.

Who are the top 2026 MLB free agents?

Here’s a look at the top players who could hit free agency (listed alphabetically by last name, all contract details via Spotrac):

Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves

• Age: 28
• 2025 stats: 157 games, .240/.306/.365 slash line, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 14 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $5 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $7 million with $4 million buyout (followed by $7 million club option in 2027)

Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets

• Age: 30 (turns 31 in December)
• 2025 stats: 162 games, .272/.347/.524 slash line, 38 HR, 126 RBI, 1 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $27 million
• Status: Free agent (declined player option for 1 year, $24 million)

Luis Arráez, 2B/1B, San Diego Padres

• Age: 28
• 2025 stats: 154 games, .292/.327/.392 slash line, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 11 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $14 million
• Status: Free agent

Harrison Bader, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 146 games, .277/.347/.449 slash line, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 11 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $6.25 million
• Status: Mutual option for 1 year, $10 million with $3 million buyout

Chris Bassit, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

• Age: 36
• 2025 stats: 31 starts (32 appearances), 170.1 IP, 3.96 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, 166 SO, 52 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $21 million 
• Status: Free agent

Josh Bell, 1B, Washington Nationals

• Age: 33
• 2025 stats: 140 games, .239/.326/.421 slash line, 22 HR, 63 RBI, 0 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $6 million
• Status: Free agent

Cody Bellinger, OF, New York Yankees

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 152 games, .272/.334/.480 slash line, 29 HR, 98 RBI, 13 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $26.66 million
• Status: Free agent (declined player option for 1 year, $25 million)

Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

• Age: 27
• 2025 stats: 139 games, .311/.357/.483 slash line, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 4 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $11.2 million
• Status: Free agent

Shane Bieber, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 7 starts, 40.1 IP, 3.57 ERA, 1.017 WHIP, 37 SO, 7 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $13 million
• Status: Player option for 1 year, $16 million with $4 million buyout

Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 114 games, .273/.360/.462 slash line, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 1 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $40 million
• Status: Free agent (opted out of 2 years, $80 million)

Dylan Cease, RHP, San Diego Padres

• Age: 29 (turns 30 in December)
• 2025 stats: 32 starts, 168 IP, 4.55 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, 215 SO, 71 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $13.75 million
• Status: Free agent

Edwin Díaz, RHP, New York Mets

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 62 appearances, 66.1 IP, 1.63 ERA, 0.874 WHIP, 98 SO, 21 BB, 28-for-31 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $20.4 million
• Status: Free agent (opted out of 2 years, $37 million, followed by $17.25 million club option in 2028 with $1 million buyout)

Pete Fairbanks, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

• Age: 31 (turns 32 in December)
• 2025 stats: 61 appearances, 60.1 IP, 2.83 ERA, 1.044 WHIP, 59 SO, 18 BB, 27-for-32 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $4 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $12.5 million with $1 million buyout

Jack Flaherty, RHP, Detroit Tigers

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 31 starts, 161 IP, 4.64 ERA, 1.280 WHIP, 188 SO, 59 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $17.5 million
• Status: Player option for 1 year, $20 million

Zac Gallen, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 33 starts, 192 IP, 4.83 ERA, 1.260 WHIP, 175 SO, 66 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $13.8 million
• Status: Free agent

Lucas Giolito, RHP, Boston Red Sox

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 26 starts, 145 IP, 3.41 ERA, 1.290 WHIP, 121 SO, 56 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $19.25 million
• Status: Free agent (Declined mutual option for 1 year, $19 million with $1.5 million buyout)

Trent Grisham, OF, New York Yankees

• Age: 28 (turns 29 in November)
• 2025 stats: 143 games, .235/.348/.464 slash line, 34 HR, 74 RBI, 3 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $5 million
• Status: Free agent

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 129 games, .248/.295/.418 slash line, 19 HR, 80 RBI, 10 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $14 million
• Status: Exercised player option for 1 year, $13 million, followed by $14 million club option in 2027 with $5 million buyout

Ryan Helsley, RHP, New York Mets

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 58 appearances, 56 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.536 WHIP, 63 SO, 25 BB, 21-for-30 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $8.2 million
• Status: Free agent

Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 90 games, .237/.332/.416 slash line, 12 HR, 43 RBI, 2 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $17 million
• Status: Mutual option for 1 year, $18 million with $4 million buyouy

Shota Imanaga, LHP, Chicago Cubs

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 25 starts, 144.2 IP, 3.73 ERA, 0.988 WHIP, 117 SO, 26 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $13.25 million
• Status: Club option for 3 years, $57 million (if declined, Imanaga receives player option for 1 year, $15 million)

Kenley Jansen, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

• Age: 38
• 2025 stats: 62 appearances, 59 IP, 2.59 ERA, 0.949 WHIP, 57 SO, 19 BB, 29-for-30 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $10 million
• Status: Free agent

Merrill Kelly, RHP, Texas Rangers

• Age: 37
• 2025 stats: 32 starts, 184 IP, 3.52 ERA, 1.114 WHIP, 167 SO, 48 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $9 million
• Status: Free agent

Michael King, RHP, San Diego Padres

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 15 starts, 73.1 IP, 3.44 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 76 SO, 26 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $7.75 million
• Status: Mutual option for 1 year, $15 million with $3.75 million buyout

Ramón Laureano, OF, San Diego Padres

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 132 games, .281/.342/.512 slash line, 24 HR, 76 RBI, 7 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $4 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $6.5 million

Brandon Lowe, 2B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 134 games, .256/.307/.477 slash line, 31 HR, 83 RBI, 3 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $4 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $11.5 million with $1 million buyout

Nick Martinez, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

• Age: 35
• 2025 stats: 40 appearances (26 starts), 165.2 IP, 4.45 ERA, 1.207 WHIP, 116 SO, 42 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $21.05 million
• Status: Free agent

Yoan Moncada, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 84 games, .234/.336/.448 slash line, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 0 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $14 million
• Status: Free agent

Max Muncy, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers

• Age: 35
• 2025 stats: 100 games, .243/.376/.470 slash line, 19 HR, 67 RBI, 4 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $12 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $10 million

Andrés Muñoz, RHP, Seattle Mariners

• Age: 26
• 2025 stats: 64 games, 62.1 IP, 1.73 ERA, 1.027 WHIP, 83 SO, 28 BB, 38-for-45 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $1.87 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $7 million (followed by club options for $8 million in 2027 and for $10 million in 2028)

Josh Naylor, 1B, Seattle Mariners

• Age: 28
• 2025 stats: 147 games, .295/.353/.462 slash line, 20 HR, 92 RBI, 30 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $14.2 million
• Status: Free agent

Ryan O’Hearn, 1B/OF, San Diego Padres

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 144 games, .281/.366/.437 slash line, 17 HR, 63 RBI, 3 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $3.5 million
• Status: Free agent

Marcell Ozuna, DH, Atlanta Braves

• Age: 34 (turns 35 in November)
• 2025 stats: 145 games, .232/.355/.400 slash line, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 0 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $16.25 million
• Status: Free agent

Emilio Pagán, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

• Age: 34
• 2025 stats: 70 appearances, 68.2 IP, 2.88 ERA, 0.917 WHIP, 81 SO, 22 BB, 32-for-38 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $8 million
• Status: Free agent

Freddy Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

• Age: 29
• 2025 stats: 33 starts, 176.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, 204 SO, 66 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $3.1 million
• Status: Brewers exercised club option for 1 year, $8 million

Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals

• Age: 35
• 2025 stats: 155 games, .236/.284/.446 slash line, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 0 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $20.5 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $13.5 million with $2 million buyout

Jorge Polanco, INF, Seattle Mariners

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 138 games, .265/.326/.495 slash line, 26 HR, 78 RBI, 6 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $7.75 million
• Status: Player option for 1 year, $8 million

Jose Quintana, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

• Age: 36
• 2025 stats: 24 starts, 131.2 IP, 3.96 ERA, 1.291 WHIP, 89 SO, 50 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $4 million
• Status: Mutual option for 1 year, $15 million with $2 million buyout

J.T. Realmuto, C, Philadelphia Phillies

• Age: 34
• 2025 stats: 134 games, .257/.315/.384 slash line, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 8 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $23.1 million
• Status: Free agent

Luis Robert Jr., OF, Chicago White Sox

• Age: 28
• 2025 stats: 110 games, .223/.297/.364 slash line, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 33 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $8.33 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $20 million with $2 million buyout (followed by $20 million club option in 2027 with $2 million buyout)

Chris Sale, LHP, Atlanta Braves

• Age: 36
• 2025 stats: 20 starts (21 appearances), 125.2 IP, 2.58 ERA, 1.066 WHIP, 165 SO, 32 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $19 million
• Status: Club option for 1 year, $18 million

Max Scherzer, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

• Age: 41
• 2025 stats: 17 starts, 85 IP, 5.19 ERA, 1.294 WHIP, 82 SO, 23 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $15.5 million
• Status: Free agent

Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 162 games, .240/.365/.563 slash line, 56 HR, 132 RBI, 10 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $19.75 million
• Status: Free agent

Trevor Story, SS, Boston Red Sox

• Age: 32 (turns 33 in November)
• 2025 stats: 157 games, .263/.308/.433 slash line, 25 HR, 96 RBI, 31 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $23.33 million
• Status: Player option for 2 years, $50 million (followed by $25 million club option in 2028 with $5 million buyout)

Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Seattle Mariners

• Age: 34
• 2025 stats: 159 games, .228/.298/.526 slash line, 49 HR, 118 RBI, 4 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $9.42 million
• Status: Free agent

Ranger Suárez, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 26 starts, 157.1 IP, 3.20 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, 151 SO, 38 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $11.3 million
• Status: Free agent

Robert Suarez, RHP, San Diego Padres

• Age: 34
• 2025 stats: 70 appearances, 69.2 IP, 2.97 ERA, 0.904 WHIP, 75 SO, 16 BB, 40-for-45 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $9.2 million
• Status: Free agent (declined player option for 2 years, $16 million)

Gleyber Torres, 2B/SS, Detroit Tigers

• Age: 28 (turns 29 in December)
• 2025 stats: 145 games, .256/.358/.387 slash line, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 4 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $15 million
• Status: Free agent

Kyle Tucker, OF, Chicago Cubs

• Age: 28
• 2025 stats: 136 games, .266/.377/.464 slash line, 22 HR, 73 RBI, 25 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $16.7 million
• Status: Free agent

Framber Valdez, LHP, Houston Astros

• Age: 31 (turns 32 in November)
• 2025 stats: 31 starts, 192 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.245 WHIP, 187 SO, 68 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $18.8 million
• Status: Free agent

Justin Verlander, RHP, San Francisco Giants

• Age: 42
• 2025 stats: 29 starts, 152 IP, 3.85 ERA, 1.362 WHIP, 137 SO, 52 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $15 million
• Status: Free agent

Devin Williams, RHP, New York Yankees

• Age: 31
• 2025 stats: 67 games, 62 IP, 4.79 ERA, 1.129 WHIP, 90 SO, 25 BB, 18-for-22 in save chances
• Previous average annual salary: $7.25 million
• Status: Free agent

Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 12 starts, 64.2 IP, 3.20 ERA, 0.912 WHIP, 83 SO, 14 BB
• Previous average annual salary: $8.75 million
• Status: Free agent (Declined mutual option for 1 year, $20 million with $10 million buyout)

Mike Yastrzemski, OF, Kansas City Royals

• Age: 35
• 2025 stats: 146 games, .233/.333/.403 slash line, 17 HR, 46 RBI, 7 SB
• Previous average annual salary: $9.25 million
• Status: Free agent

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on Oct. 27.

From Coney Island to the Bronx, the candidates in New York City’s mayoral race spent Monday crisscrossing the five boroughs in a final, frenzied day of campaigning on the eve of Election Day.

As candidates made final pitch to voters, President Donald Trump urged New Yorkers to cast their ballot for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo over Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in an effort to defeat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. The president posted that voters “really have no choice.”

The campaign hurtled toward its end after more than 735,000 votes were cast during the city’s nine days of early, in-person voting — more than four times the number of ballots cast during the only other mayor’s race to allow early voting, in 2021.

The tally was well short of the nearly 1.1 million early, in-person votes cast during last year’s presidential election, but some voting locations saw large crowds Sunday, the last day of early voting. The line at one polling place in downtown Brooklyn snaked around the building and, at one point, took an hour to cast a ballot.

A frenzied last stretch

Cuomo’s schedule was packed Monday, with stops in each of the boroughs for a get-out-the-vote effort. He wasted little time in attacking Mamdani. At one early stop, the former governor likened a potential Mamdani administration to left-wing governments in Latin America.

“Socialism didn’t work in Venezuela. Socialism didn’t work in Cuba. Socialism is not going to work in New York City,” he said.

Cuomo, 67, is trying to make his return to political office after resigning as governor four years ago following a barrage of sexual harassment accusations that he denies. A Democrat running as an independent, he’s shifted to wooing Republican voters to bolster his centrist base, pitching himself as the only candidate who can stop Mamdani.

Mamdani kicked off the day by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise. By the time the sun went down, he was giving a pep talk to canvassers in Queens.

“With close to just 24 hours until the polls close, let us leave everything out there on the field, my friends,” Mamdani told cheering supporters. “Let us do it together. Let us work so hard this evening and tomorrow that we never have to ask ourselves the question: ‘What if?’”

Mamdani, a state assemblymember who would be the city’s first Muslim mayor, beat Cuomo in the primary with an energetic campaign focused on making the city a more affordable place to live.

Mamdani’s busy weekend of campaigning included nightclub appearances, watching the Buffalo Bills at a bar with Gov. Kathy Hochul and attending a Knicks game — in the nosebleed seats, drawing a contrast with Cuomo’s courtside view a few weeks earlier.

Sliwa, the red beret-wearing creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, visited a subway stop in Brooklyn, laying a wreath for a woman who died last year after being set on fire at the station, before setting off to rally his supporters in the outer boroughs.

“I’m running because this city deserves safety, accountability, and leadership that won’t look the other way,” Sliwa wrote on social media.

Trump weighs in

Trump, a former New York resident of note, has loomed over the race for months. The Republican president has threatened to arrest Mamdani, deport him and take over the city if he wins.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said New Yorkers have “no choice” but to vote for Cuomo, throwing his support behind the former governor as he reiterated a threat to withhold federal funds from the city if Mamdani wins.

“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job,” Trump wrote.

The president also echoed a line that Cuomo has stressed in the final weeks of his campaign, saying, “A vote for Curtis Sliwa (who looks much better without the beret!) is a vote for Mamdani.”

Cuomo was not asked directly about the president’s tacit endorsement during an interview Monday evening on WABC Radio but expressed agreement with Trump’s comments.

“The president is right. A vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani. And that’s why this election is now up to the Republicans,” Cuomo said.

Mamdani later blasted the “MAGA movement’s embrace” of Cuomo. He told his supporters that Trump believes Cuomo will be the best mayor for his administration, not for New Yorkers.

The battle is on social m

edia, too

Cuomo on Friday released another of the AI-generated ads that have been a fixture of his campaign, this time showing a fake Mamdani going trick-or-treating for Halloween. The video has a disclaimer that it is “AI generated.”

The former governor has been criticized for his use of artificial intelligence in ads, and in one instance pulled down a fabricated ad depicting Mamdani eating rice with his hands and describing his supporters as criminals. A campaign spokesperson said the video was posted in error.

Mamdani, meanwhile, released a social media video of him speaking Arabic — which, he admits in the ad, “needs some work.” He has previously put out videos speaking Spanish and Bengali.

Source