Christian Walker Got Paid. Who Is Next?
...free agency predictions, according to Brett
EDITORS NOTE: As most of you know now, Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros today for 3 years, $60 million. Want to know who else knew that before this blog went out? Brett. Did he go, I don’t know, fix his blog? Nope. Here is the exchange while I showered and walked my dog.
Brett- Looks like Walker to Houston!, Dean my blog is in drafts and scheduled to rip at 1pm.
*Dean checks the blog after showering and walking the dog. Sees Christian Walker signed with the Astros, sees Brett kept his prediction as “Christian Walker to Yankees.”
Dean gives up on life.
I am bored and need some more news about free agency. I keep finding myself just refreshing Jeff Passan’s X (Twitter) to see the next big star who has decided on where they will be playing baseball in 2025 and beyond.
That said, I went through Spotrac to see the 2025 free agents page and see who has yet to sign. Here are some of my predictions for notable free agents and my causation.
Corbin Burnes → New York Mets
Uncle Stevie is definitely not done holiday shopping yet. Let’s be honest…the man just dropped a small country’s GDP on one player, and he is in no way worried about paying a tax. Corbin Burnes is a perfect fit for the Mets, and the fans will love him. Bringing an ace into the fold makes the Mets title contenders again right away.
Pete Alonso → Seattle Mariners
Seattle needs a bat like I need a vacation. Alonso is due to make big money, and after signing Soto, it looks like the Mets are out on Alonso. Don’t get me wrong, I can see them able to get him on a hometown discount, but I just don’t see Alonso taking a pay cut. Seattle, on the other hand, needs a 1B badly, and Alonso is, without a doubt, the best available.
Teoscar Hernandez → Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia has me feeling in all kinds of ways. They were supposedly rumored to be in on Soto for a little bit, and that ended quickly. Their roster as is is nasty, I just think they need to add some pieces to go over the top. Teoscar might very well be out of their price range, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they use the cash in other areas…say the bullpen?!? Hernandez is a stud and would add another monster bat to this already-stacked lineup. If Teoscar decides to head to a new home based on money, Philly is out. If he decides he wants to get back to title contention, Philly is a great option for him.
Alex Bregman → Boston Red Sox
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Bregman to the Yankees sounded nice, but I think that is a pipedream now after adding Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger this offseason. The Red Sox can move Triston Casas for an arm or a prospect, move Devers over to first base, and then sign Bregman to play third base, which would make the lineup lethal. Plus, I don’t think Bregman cares for the Yankees after playing for Houston, and this would give up some more at-bats to get back at New York for all the cheating slander.
Walker Buehler → Baltimore Orioles
It's by far my least favorite/confident pick. I have zero faith in Baltimore’s management to spend money until proven wrong. They are a cheap organization historically, and I am a person who buys into history repeats itself. Hence, the Yankees are signing aging veterans for money they will regret later! Buehler is a stud, and any team would be lucky to have him on their payroll. The question is, who will pay up? Baltimore is loaded with young talent and can afford to spend some money on top of that; they NEED starting pitching. It makes all the sense in the world for the position needed and the fact the Orioles will be contenders for the entirety of Buehler’s contract. If they can pony up some cash, Buehler to Baltimore is a game-changer for the O’s.
Jack Flaherty → Boston Red Sox
Boston strikes again. Many Red Sox fans believed Soto was going to Boston. I personally never really bought into this idea, but for what it is worth, it did make a ton of sense. That being said, Boston has money to spend. Flaherty would add a much-needed frontline starter to the mix. Boston needs pitching as badly as Seattle needs hitting, and that is not a jab, that is a fact. Boston has finished DEAD LAST in the American League East three times since 2020. The pitching staff as a whole hasn’t had an ERA in the top half of the league since before 2020, and addressing the pitching is a must this offseason.
Christian Walker → New York Yankees
Honestly, it is him or Goldschmidt going to the Yankees at this point (at least in my mind). I believe it will be whoever they can get cheaper, but the Yankees need someone at first, pronto. Walker & Goldschmidt can both mash and play solid defense. The problem is they are both getting up there in age, and taking on a massive contract is not what the Yankees are looking to do here. We shall see how this all plays out, but my guess is one lands in New York, and one lands to the next highest bidder.
Ha-Seong Kim → Seattle Mariners
Similar to the Alonso briefing, Seattle needs dependable bats. Ha-Seong Kim has priced himself out of returning to the Padres. Seattle has to add to the lineup as they have one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball to tag along with one of the game’s more prolific stars, Julio Rodriguez. Kim will add consistency, flexibility, and a dependable bat to Seattle. I think this is a no-brainer.
Anthony Santander → Kansas City Royals
This has been hyped up by multiple outlets all offseason, and it makes the most sense in the world. The O’s are walking away from Santander after signing Tyler O’Neill. The Royals need a corner outfield power bat desperately to give Bobby Witt Jr. some relief in the lineup. Not only do they need Santander, they have the money to get this done. I can see this happening any day now, but my gut tells me if it’s not the Royals, it will be the highest bidder who wins here, as Santander is now 30 years old and looking to get paid!
Roki Sasaki → San Diego Padres
The Sasaki sweepstakes is super intriguing as this is not a money game, it’s a desire game. Sasaki is not going to get a super contract this year and it is all about where he wants to pitch and feel comfortable. The West Coast makes some sense in terms of proximity to his home, Japan but I feel he is more likely to decide on other factors like the current team environment. San Diego can use another starter and is already a contender. Plus San Diego is beautiful and is still West Coast. This one is up for grabs by the best sales pitch but right now I’d put my money on the Padres.
Max Scherzer → Detroit Tigers
Mad Max is going home. I have a weird feeling that Scherzer is going to take a massive pay cut to return to Detroit. Detroit is clearly capable of winning games and they need some frontline starters. If they could use some of their budget to lure Scherzer back to Detroit this is a win-win situation.
Justin Verlander → Detroit Tigers
I would be amazed if the Tigers could pull in Scherzer and Verlander. This would be incredible for all of baseball in my opinion. Detroit needs pitching. Both starters are past their prime and can reunite one last time together in Detroit where they already have comfort.
Gleyber Torres → Pittsburgh Pirates
I really thought Gleyber was going to be a Royal until they struck the Jonathan India with the Reds. Pittsburgh can use some offense and up the middle they do not have many/if any players that would stop Gleyber from starting at shortstop or preferably second base.
Paul Goldschmidt → Arizona Diamondbacks
I am now being lazy with this one but if Alonso goes to Seattle and the Yankees get Walker, I can see the Diamondbacks and Goldschmidt having a little reunion to close out his career. The Diamondbacks might be able to bring him in on a discount deal as they are contenders ready to compete.