This time of year, it’s a lot of fun to imagine popular players in new uniforms, but stability also counts.
This winter, a record four players — Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham; Brandon Woodruff, Brewers pitcher; Shota Imanaga, Cubs pitcher; and Venezuelan Gleyber Torres, Tigers infielder—accepted the one-year qualifying offer. For their part, some of the most prominent free agents, such as Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies, Josh Naylor of the Mariners and Michael King of the Padres, decided to re-sign with their most recent clubs instead of changing teams.
Let’s explore the possibility of some notable free agents returning to their 2025 teams… and then present the most intriguing potential overhaul: An alternate team that makes sense.
3B Alex Bregman
Reunion with the Red Sox?
A possibility that seemed obvious at the start of the offseason has been dragging on for months, but it could be more likely now than it was then. The Blue Jays emerged as an option until they signed Kazuma Okamoto. The Diamondbacks were a rumor as an alternative, but only in case they move the salary of Dominican Ketel Marte, something that, according to reports, will not happen. The Cubs tried to sign Bregman last winter, but now they would likely be more focused on strengthening the outfield. And since Boston won’t acquire Marte, Bregman’s position and leadership continue to be a great fit for the Red Sox.
Or with the… Tigers?
Like the Cubs, the Tigers tried to sign Bregman a year ago. As far as is known, they have not actively pursued him this time. But that doesn’t make him no longer a fit, especially if Detroit decides to go for Tarik Skubal and really wants to go all-in this year, the last chance before the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner hits free agency.
While the Tigers can (and have) boasted their starting third baseman, Zach McKinstry, who was named to the American League All-Star Game in 2025, the 30-year-old’s track record and defensive versatility suggest he would be a better fit as a super-utility player on a championship-seeking team that desperately needs a right-handed reinforcement in the lineup.
Reunion with the Cubs?
When the Cubs acquired Tucker, who was a year away from free agency, in a blockbuster trade in December 2024, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that Tucker’s time in North Chicago could be “one season long.” Nothing we’ve seen in the market this year changes that. As far as we know, the Cubs haven’t made a significant effort to bring Tucker back long-term.
That said, prospect Owen Caissie, who debuted in 2025, was considered by some (at least those on the outside looking in) as a possible replacement for Tucker in the outfield this year. But now Caissie went to the Marlins as a key piece in this week’s trade for Dominican starter Edward Cabrera. On that side, at least, it becomes more conceivable that Tucker and the Cubs will reunite. However, it is more likely that his total price will prove too high for what the team is willing to pay.
Or with the… Tiles?
On paper, it makes the most sense, at least for now. The Blue Jays have bolstered their potent lineup this winter, but Tucker’s left-handed bat would give them more balance, and signing the No. 1 free agent on the market would match a Toronto team that has completely dominated this market. Okamoto’s arrival only increases the odds that if they make another big move, it will make more sense for it to be in the outfield and not the infield, as we’ll see below.
2B/SS Bo Bichette
Reunion with the Blue Jays?
Again, in Toronto’s exhaustive offseason, the possibility of the Blue Jays re-signing Bichette cannot be ruled out. But at this point, his return would be more sentimental than simple. Whether Bichette reverts to his natural position at shortstop or (more likely) gives it up to a much more solid defender like Andrés Giménez and moves to second base full-time, his return would crowd out the Blue Jays infield, forcing Ernie Clement into a more limited role or the newly signed Okamoto to show more versatility.
The pieces can fit together, so their return is not impossible. Additionally, Bichette’s ties to Toronto (and especially to Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) are an important variable. Still, an outfielder like Tucker is still a much easier solution.
The new rumor about the Phillies reuniting with Bichette presents a fascinating alternative (and creates a domino effect for trade candidate Alec Bohm), but let’s focus on the scenario that would add excitement to a potential World Series matchup. Bichette returned from a left knee injury and showed little loss of rhythm, going 8 for 23 with four walks in the World Series. It wasn’t bad at all as a “test.” Additionally, his age (28 by Opening Day) and his return from injury could make him a candidate for the type of high-annual-value but short-term contract the Dodgers prefer.
More importantly, the Dodgers could use a reinforcement at second base. Signing Bichette would fill a position where Los Angeles had a .650 OPS, 24th in the majors, last year. Bichette, still young and a right-handed hitter, would also provide balance to an aging lineup heavily focused on lefties like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. The problem is that the Dodgers would have a suboptimal defensive infield and would be taking a risk by moving Tommy Edman to center field, considering his injury history.
Reunion with the Yankees?
Coming off his best season since his NL MVP season in 2019, Bellinger has every reason to stay in the Bronx, and the Yankees have just as much reason to re-sign him. New York knows that he is capable of handling media attention, that he can be an effective ally for Aaron Judge and that he significantly raises the team’s defensive level.
The big drawback is how much capital the Yankees are willing to commit to another outfielder, when young Dominican Jasson Dominguez and the club’s No. 4 prospect, Spencer Jones, are also options. But it goes without saying that Bellinger offers much more certainty than that duo.
This would give us a new annual tradition: The Mets snatching Judge’s outfield colleague from the Yankees. And, in fact, it makes all the sense in the world after the Brandon Nimmo trade and the departure of Pete Alonso. Bellinger would provide the Mets with a solution in center field, coverage at first base and a reliable bat in the thick part of the lineup, helping Dominican Juan Soto not set a new record for walks in the Major Leagues.
Although the Mets are showing discipline and (too much?) fairness in the free agent market lately, Bellinger fits the “run prevention” mentality and can hit against left-handed pitching (1.016 OPS in 2025), and we already know he can handle the pressure of a big market.
Reunion with the Phillies?
At the beginning of the winter, it seemed like a given that the Phillies would bring back two of their key pieces: Realmuto and Schwarber. The Schwarber issue was resolved quite efficiently. Realmuto’s return? Not so much.
It’s gone on long enough that there are now reports of the Phillies — who do have incentives to rejuvenate the team when they can — weighing other options, such as Twins trade candidate Ryan Jeffers. Signing Bichette would reduce, if not eliminate, Philadelphia’s chances of re-signing Realmuto. In situations like this, both the player and the team tend to take positions. For now, the Phillies’ familiarity with Realmuto and their relationship with mainstays like Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler continue to make a reunion seem most likely, although the situation remains fluid.
Or with the… Red Sox?
If Realmuto were to indeed leave, the Red Sox would be an attractive destination for a catcher accustomed to contending for the playoffs every season. Yes, 27-year-old Carlos Narváez is coming off a solid rookie campaign, but his offensive impact was significantly skewed between home and away, and between the first and second half of the season. It’s hard to say if he’ll be able to reliably contribute to the lineup in the future, while Connor Wong’s .500 OPS last year left a lot to be desired.
With the Red Sox still retaining minor league options at catcher, Realmuto’s presence and leadership could be very attractive to a team that wants to win right now and has plenty of youth elsewhere in the lineup.
Reunion with the Mariners?
Although Seattle did not reach its final destination in Suárez’s first two stays with the team, this is clearly a familiar relationship. Suárez had two solid seasons with the Mariners in 2022 and 2023, and the front office really didn’t want to let the popular and productive third baseman go in a cost-cutting trade to the Diamondbacks before the 2024 season. Of course, with Seattle in contention midway through the 2025 season and Suárez excelling in Arizona like it was its own Home Run Derby, the team brought him back as a temporary backup via the change.
Suárez didn’t contribute much to the Mariners in the regular season, but he hit what would have gone down in history (if the Mariners had finally reached the World Series) as perhaps the most impactful home run in franchise history: His decisive grand slam in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
With the departure of Dominican Jorge Polanco to the Mets, Marte apparently out of the trade market and negotiations with the Cardinals for Brendan Donovan without bearing fruit so far, Suárez remains a possible solution for the Mariners who could still need another bat for the infield and the designated hitter role.
Or with the… Pirates?
It has been a much busier winter than usual for the Buccaneers, who have completed trades for three hitters — Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Venezuelan Jhostynxon García — and also signed Ryan O’Hearn. The good thing about having so many holes in your lineup is that almost any player can fit, and that’s the case with Suárez, who could take over at third base after Ke’Bryan Hayes was traded to the Reds midway through the 2025 season.
Pittsburgh finished last in the major leagues in all key power categories last year, so adding Suarez after his 49-homer season, while also adding his renowned clubhouse presence to a young team, is a no-brainer. The question, of course, is how aggressive the Pirates want to be in the free agent market.
Reunion with the Parents?
Arráez presented himself as a fascinating test of modern thinking in free agency, as his extraordinary ability to distribute hits all over the diamond is combined with his history of knee problems, his defensive deficiencies and his complete lack of power.
The truth is that there was no mystery here. We have enough evidence to suggest that the Venezuelan probably would not have a large market. And although the Padres have a large payroll to manage, Arráez could still fit into their plans, especially if the team opens up first base more clearly through a Jake Cronenworth trade, as has been speculated.
Or with the… Reds?
The Reds know they are going to hit home runs at Great American Ball Park, but they have made it clear, as president of baseball operations Nick Krall said, that they need “contact frequency.” That’s where Arráez comes in, who would undoubtedly improve the team’s strikeout rate as a first baseman/designated hitter, in addition to providing a left-handed bat that would complement a group formed by right-handed hitters Spencer Steer, Matt McClain and Sal Stewart. Reds manager Terry Francona was a big fan of Arráez during his time in Cleveland and also during Arráez’s time with the Twins in the American League Central Division. The problem remains the defense, which the Reds are looking to improve. Arráez would not cover that need, but it would change his offensive profile.
