Where do the Mets and Yankees stand with the remaining top free agents?
From left: Blue Jays free agent Bo Bichette, Yankees free agent Cody Bellinger and Cubs free agent Kyle Tucker. Credit: Getty Images/Emilee Chinn; Evan Bernstein; Ronald Martinez
The year known as 2026 really got going this week. Does that mean MLB free agency will pick up . . . or will the top players left on the market linger until spring training camps open next month?
Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Kyle Schwarber, Michael King and Tatsuya Imai are among the big names who signed their new deals in 2025. But there still are plenty of big fish out there and many more guppies.
Here’s a look at the top 10 free agents left on the market as of Friday and whether to expect either the Mets or Yankees to sign any of them.
(By the time you read this, the Dodgers may have signed all 10. But let’s give it a whirl anyway.)
POSITION PLAYERS
1. Cody Bellinger
Bellinger may not be the best player on this list, but he seems to be a key cog in unlocking the remaining signings because he is so vital to the Yankees and could be a huge pickup for the Mets. Both New York teams could use his lefthanded bat and versatility.
Yankees or Mets? Yankees
2. Kyle Tucker
Tucker’s market probably will be set by Bellinger’s. The Yankees aren’t known to have shown much interest in Tucker, but wouldn’t he slide in perfectly as Brandon Nimmo’s replacement at Citi Field?
Yankees or Mets? Mets, if they decide to spend this offseason
3. Bo Bichette
The Yankees have a rehabbing Anthony Volpe as their returning shortstop, and that ship seems to have sailed even when Volpe gets healthy. Even if you think Volpe still could blossom into an All-Star, it’s not likely. Better idea: The Yankees sign Bichette, play him at short in 2026 and slide him over to second next season when Jazz Chisholm Jr. leaves as a free agent. There’s not much indication the Yankees would be willing to meet Bichette’s reported $200 million asking price. Maybe they should.
Yankees or Mets? Yankees, if they want to be really bold.
4. Alex Bregman
He reached agreement with the Cubs on Saturday, and neither of our local teams needs a third baseman anyway.
Yankees or Mets? Neither.
5. J.T. Realmuto
Neither of our local teams needs a catcher.
Yankees or Mets? Neither.
6. Eugenio Suarez
The Mets don’t need a third baseman, but could they use a power-hitting third baseman who could replace Alonso’s lost power as a designated hitter?
Yankees or Mets? Mets, because who right now is their DH (Mark Vientos?) and who is replacing Alonso’s thunder (Jorge Polanco)? Surely you jest.
7. Harrison Bader
The Yankees need a righthanded-hitting outfielder. The Mets need a centerfielder. Both have employed Bader before, but he probably can get a more lucrative offer elsewhere.
Yankees or Mets? Neither.
PITCHERS
8. Framber Valdez
Durability, excellence and lefthandedness. But Valdez is 32 and the Mets don’t want to give out long-term contracts to 32-year-old pitchers. Another team will.
Yankees or Mets? Neither.
9. Ranger Suarez
How about a 30-year-old lefthander who has shown excellence with the Phillies? Is he young enough for the Mets to step up? Probably not. The Mets do have those three rookie starters ready to go for 2026.
Yankees or Mets? Neither.
10. Zac Gallen
Usually we’d throw in a reliever here, but all the good ones already have signed. Gallen is fine, nothing special, so maybe he’d be someone our local teams would consider. The fan bases want bigger, better and more expensive additions, but will either of our teams listen? Hello?
Yankees or Mets? Eh, maybe Mets.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
