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Five best remaining hitters in MLB free agency
Teoscar Hernandez. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Five best remaining hitters in MLB free agency

By Kevin Henry  |  Last updated Dec 24, 2024 12:59 PM ET

While there has been a flurry of recent moves in Major League Baseball, plenty of quality free agents who will make an impact in 2025 and beyond remain on the market.

After a weekend that saw several moves involving free agents at first base, there is still one big name at the position who could be a difference-maker next season. We start our list of the five best remaining free agents with him and continue in alphabetical order.

All statistics listed are from the 2024 campaign.

Pete Alonso — .240/.329/.453 slash line, 123 OPS+, 34 home runs, 88 RBI

Known as "The Polar Bear," Alonso is anything but ice cold regarding his power at the plate. Outside the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Alonso has hit 34 or more homers in his six MLB seasons, all with the New York Mets.

With so many teams filling their need at first base this month, is it almost a foregone conclusion that Alonso will continue his career with the Mets? According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, "the entire industry" believes Alonso will return to Queens in 2025. Will it happen?

Alex Bregman — .260/.315/.453 slash line, 118 OPS+, 26 home runs, 75 RBI

A two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros, Bregman will likely be looking for a new home after Houston acquired Isaac Paredes in the Kyle Tucker trade to man third base. 

Turning 31 on March 30, Bregman has hit 20 or more homers in the last three seasons and is also a plus for any team in the field, as proven by his Gold Glove-winning defense at the hot corner last season.

Teoscar Hernandez — .272/.339/.501 slash line, 137 OPS+, 33 home runs, 99 RBI

On a Los Angeles Dodgers team filled with former Most Valuable Players last season, Hernandez was perhaps the unsung hero for the World Series champions. 

Coming on board with a one-year deal, Hernandez earned a bid to the All-Star Game (where he won the Home Run Derby) and was named a Silver Slugger. He was second on the Dodgers in home runs and RBI, trailing only National League MVP Shohei Ohtani in both categories.

Anthony Santander — .235/.308/.506 slash line, 134 OPS+, 44 home runs, 102 RBI

In his eighth season as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Santander put together a career offensive year. He led the star-studded Orioles roster in home runs and RBI, and his 44 homers were the fourth-most ever hit by a switch hitter.

The 30-year-old Santander settled into right field for the Orioles last season. Will he continue in that spot in one of his potential new landing spots, or will Baltimore surprise everyone and bring him back?

Gleyber Torres — .257/.330/.378 slash line, 101 OPS+, 15 home runs, 63 RBI

The only middle infielder on our list, Torres has been with the New York Yankees for the past seven seasons. However, there are  indications that his time in the Bronx may be over.

Torres hit exceptionally well in the second half of last season (slashing .293/.361/.419) once he settled into the leadoff role for the Yankees. Did that hot stretch help prove his worth to other teams looking to boost their production at second base?

Kevin Henry
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A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), Kevin Henry has been covering MLB and MiLB for nearly two decades. Those assignments have included All-Star Games and the MLB postseason, including the World Series. Based in the Denver area, Kevin calls Coors Field his home base, but travels throughout North America during the season to discover the best stories possible

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