Spring training is just around the corner, and with it comes the extended season preparations. During the offseason months of November through January, MLB teams focus on strengthening their rosters, while February, March, and increasingly April shift into preserving their homegrown talent through long-term contract negotiations. Many players choose to forgo free agency by signing lucrative extensions before Opening Day.
Last spring, several players secured significant long-term deals, including Lawrence Butler (seven years, $65.5 million), Alejandro Kirk (five years, $58 million), Gerardo Perdomo (four years, $45 million), and Cal Lowry (six years, $105 million). Garrett Crochet also inked an extension (six years, $170 million) right after the season opener, and more players are expected to follow suit this spring.
While teams aim for long-term commitments, top Cy Young winners like Paul Skeens and Tarik Skubal, alongside Scott Boras clients Hunter Brown and Jesus Luzardo, are unlikely to sign extensions soon. Below, we highlight ten baseball players slated as prime candidates for long-term deals this spring, in alphabetical order.
The Cincinnati Reds are keen to secure star shortstop Elie Delacruz but struggled last offseason to lock him down, particularly given his representation by Scott Boras. Alternatively, Hunter Abbott, an All-Star last year who has proven to be a solid No. 2 behind ace Hunter Greene, might present a more attainable extension target. Abbott excels in contact management rather than overpowering hitters, aligning with the modern analytical trend aided by advanced pitch and exit velocity data. Abbott has been through four free agency cycles already.
Regarding possible terms, last offseason the Guardians offered Tanner Bibby a five-year, $48 million extension with a club option at a similar stage in his career. Bibby had a 127 ERA+ over 315⅔ innings, while Abbott boasts a 133 ERA+ over 413⅔ innings. The Reds will likely need to enhance the offer beyond Bibby’s deal to reflect Abbott’s performance accurately.
The Atlanta Braves have set the standard for locking up young talent early in their careers. National League Rookie of the Year winner Baldwin exemplifies this approach, offering versatility as a left-handed hitter with strong defensive skills at a premium position. Despite the Braves already having Sean Murphy under long-term contract, having two highly capable catchers strengthens the team’s depth. Typically, catchers who excel are rarely made available in free agency, as teams tend to secure them early and retain them for the long term.
In terms of contracts, Baldwin is five years from free agency, and while the Nationals’ Keibert Lewis signed an eight-year, $50 million extension at a similar service time, Baldwin’s superior rookie season suggests a more lucrative deal is warranted. A contract comparable to Lawrence Butler’s seven-year, $65.5 million deal, possibly higher due to Baldwin’s value at catcher, is likely.
The New York Yankees rarely extend players early, but second baseman Chisholm — set to enter free agency next offseason — might be an exception. At 28 years old and in the prime of his career, Chisholm’s all-around game and left-handed swing fit well with Yankee Stadium’s traits. With middle infield prospects costly and scarce, the Yankees might prefer to secure Chisholm now, especially given his reported desire to stay in New York long-term.
Potential deals for Chisholm likely mirror free agent contracts, with no discounts expected. His camp may look toward Willie Adames’ seven-year, $182 million pact with the Giants as a benchmark, as Adames had a slightly higher WAR over three years. While matching such a deal might be challenging, it provides a realistic starting point for negotiations.
The Chicago Cubs have shown great interest in extending Horner, a dependable all-around player and one of the team’s core assets alongside Ian Happ, Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, and Jameson Taillon. Horner, who previously signed a three-year extension to delay free agency, could see negotiations for a longer-term deal this spring. Despite his moderate power numbers, the Cubs are motivated to retain him.
Horner’s contract might resemble Adames’ seven-year, $182 million extension. However, his limited home run production might cap his market value to approximately six years and $120 million, striking a balance between his skill set and the premium placed on power hitters.
The Oakland Athletics have actively signed promising position players recently, such as Tyler Soderstrom (seven years, $86 million) and Brent Rooker (five years, $60 million). Catcher Langelier, 28, who hit 60 home runs over the past two seasons, brings rare power for his position and is considered a priority to sign before his free agency approaches in three years, especially ahead of the team’s move to Las Vegas.
Langelier’s contract may look similar to Sean Murphy’s six-year, $73 million extension with the Athletics, rather than Cal Lowry’s larger deal, acknowledging differences in performance. A six-year, $75 million contract would represent a substantial but justified investment.
The Detroit Tigers are likely to prioritize signing McGonigle, considered one of their top prospects, even before he debuts in the majors. Following a precedent set with Colt Keith, who secured just under $29 million over six years without MLB experience, signing McGonigle now could save the team money and facilitate his placement on the Opening Day roster without service time manipulation. At 21, McGonigle showed an impressive minor league stat line, balancing walks, extra-base hits, and a high OPS.
Pre-debut extensions like Jackson Cholio’s eight-year, $82 million deal with the Brewers offer the best comparison for McGonigle. Cholio was also a highly regarded prospect with limited Triple-A exposure at signing, setting the market for elite talents yet to break into the majors.
The Los Angeles Angels have rarely given long-term extensions since signing Mike Trout more than a decade ago, with only David Fletcher receiving a three-year deal, which proved problematic. However, they seem poised to change course by negotiating with Neto, a player with both power and speed who can cover premium positions, even if shifting to second base in the future. Despite recent team struggles, investing in homegrown talent like Neto is essential for sustained success.
Neto, with four years left before free agency and Super 2 arbitration eligibility, boosts his earning potential. Michael Garcia’s recent five-year, $57.5 million deal, signed at a similar service time, provides a fitting benchmark for Neto’s extension talks.
Following offseason trade rumors, the Brewers moved Peralta and Tobias Meyers to the Mets in exchange for prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. The Mets appear interested in signing Peralta to a long-term deal, although talks are temporarily paused. Peralta has expressed openness to extension discussions, and the Mets may follow the strategy they used with Francisco Lindor by trading for the player before locking in a contract.
Given Peralta’s one-year-away free agency status, he is likely to command a free agent-level deal with no discounts. Ranger Suarez’s five-year, $130 million contract and Tyler Glasnow’s similar agreement ($136.5 million over five years) provide a useful framework.
Cleveland popularized offering long-term contracts prior to free agency back in the 1990s, signing stars like Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome. This practice continues, with Williams emerging as a likely candidate for extension after rebounding from injury and slump. Four years from free agency represents the ideal timing for the Guardians, as several notable players signed deals at this stage.
Williams’ contract might resemble Tanner Bibby’s five-year, $48 million extension with a club option, considering similar service time and performance metrics, though a recent shoulder injury could affect the amount.
The Seattle Mariners might prioritize extending Wu, who had a breakout 2025 season and has been off the market for four years, over teammates Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. Gilbert likely aims to prove himself through his last two years before free agency, while Wu’s recent injury could motivate him to secure financial stability now.
Again, Tanner Bibby’s five-year, $48 million contract stands as a comparable deal. Although Bibby had better stats at signing, the Mariners may face more resistance from Wu’s camp given his strong innings pitched and performance.
Fan Take: Securing young, homegrown talent to long-term deals before free agency is becoming a defining strategy for MLB teams to maintain competitiveness and financial balance. These extensions not only create roster stability but also shape the future landscape of the sport, ensuring rising stars stay loyal and continually excite fans with their developing careers.
