With the World Series complete and the Milwaukee Brewers crowned first-time champions, Major League Baseball's 2026-27 offseason is officially underway. CBS Sports has released its annual ranking of the top 50 free agents, compiled through statistical analysis, video review, past market research, and projections for players expected to transition from Japan's NPB and South Korea's KBO.
The rankings arrive amid significant uncertainty: the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. on December 1, making a lockout all but certain. The duration of any work stoppage and its impact on contract negotiations remain the defining questions of the winter.
Leading the list is left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal, ranked No. 1 as an in-his-prime ace who can front a World Series contender's rotation. Skubal, who will turn 30 in 2027, posted a 2.72 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and 186 strikeouts over 158.2 innings in 2026. Potential landing spots mentioned include the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.
Other notable names in the top 10 include left-handers Adrian Morejon (No. 2) and Trevor Rogers (No. 3), Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato (No. 4), right-hander Freddy Peralta (No. 5), second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (No. 6), outfielder Seiya Suzuki (No. 7), right-hander Michael King (No. 8), outfielder Randy Arozarena (No. 9), and catcher Ryan Jeffers (No. 10). The list also features established veterans such as Luis Arraez, Sonny Gray, and Raisel Iglesias, as well as international pitchers Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh.
Players ranked 31 through 50 are grouped by role: late-inning relievers, complementary bats, upside plays, and back-end starters. CBS Sports emphasizes that the listed landing spots are speculative, with most players having more than three potential suitors.
