The 2026-27 MLB offseason has just begun, and the baseball world is already buzzing with trades and free agent speculation. We have compiled rankings of the top 50 free agents and the top 25 trade candidates, along with a calendar highlighting key offseason deadlines. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments from Saturday’s hot stove activity.
Max Scherzer, a likely future Hall of Famer, remains undecided about his playing future but plans to participate in “lockout games” during the offseason to help determine if he will continue pitching, according to the New York Post. With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, these practice games allow players from different teams to train and stay sharp amid the lockout. At 42 years old, Scherzer endured injury setbacks this past season but still made 18 starts for the Blue Jays. If 2026 turns out to be his final year, he finished strong by striking out seven batters over seven innings allowing just one run in Game 162. He currently ranks ninth all-time in strikeouts with 3,557, just three shy of former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander. Notably, Scherzer was not included in our list of the top 50 free agents.
Several teams are reportedly interested in free agent Ty France, per The Athletic, with a deal potentially close to finalization. France had a breakout season in 2026 after adjusting his batting stance, leading to increased power and hard-hit ability, and he is also highly regarded for his defense at first base. We ranked him as the 23rd-best free agent this offseason and the second-best first baseman available. While the exact suitors are unclear, top contenders such as the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Mets, Rangers, and Padres could be in the mix. Given France’s outstanding year and the current scarcity of right-handed power hitters, he could secure a multiyear contract.
The Fubon Guardians from Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League have placed right-handed reliever Jyun-Yue Tseng on the posting market, allowing MLB teams to negotiate with him, as reported by the Associated Press. Tseng has until December 22 to reach an agreement, but the upcoming lockout likely brings that deadline forward to December 1. We did not include Tseng in our top 50 free agents. At 25, Tseng has represented Chinese Taipei in the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classic tournaments. Last season, he recorded 25 saves with a 1.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 52⅓ innings. His fastball generally sits in the mid-90s and has touched 100 mph, though his secondary pitches remain a work in progress if he hopes to evolve beyond a middle reliever role in MLB.
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Fan Take: These offseason moves underscore a pivotal moment for baseball, as iconic veterans like Scherzer weigh retirement while emerging players like Ty France seize opportunities to transform their careers. The influx of international talent such as Tseng also highlights the growing global reach and competitive depth of MLB, promising exciting shifts for teams and fans alike.
Source: www.cbssports.com
