2024 MLB Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Top Available Players

The Juan Soto domino has fallen and attention will now turn to the other high-profile free agents on the market, including a New York Met who has served as the face of the franchise since his rookie season in 2019.

What does the acquisition of Soto mean for Pete Alonso's future with the organization?

The answer to that question and more lies in this collection of insider reports from USA Today's Bob Nightengale and predictions on their landing spots.

With the news that Juan Soto has chosen the New York Mets on a 15-year, $765 million deal, the focus turns to first baseman Pete Alonso and whether there will be a reunion in Queens or if he will ply his trade elsewhere.

Nightengale reported, "There's no sign that the two sides have since talked, leaving everyone to wonder whether David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations, even wants Alonso."

That is a monumental statement by Nightengale that suggests there was never any real desire by the team's general manager to bring by the 29-year-old face of the franchise. It suggests that the focus was always on Soto and acquiring him and if that did not go the way the team wanted, then it would consider negotiating with Alonso.

Given the wealth of infielders the team has at its disposal, even in the minors with third-baseman Brett Baty left out of last year's seismic turnaround, the Mets don't necessarily need Alonso.

At the same time, they are not demonstrably better at the three spot without him. He was at his best as a fielder in 2024 and helped make some dynamic plays that shut down potential extra-base hits. The team would also miss his power hitting, such as the home run that catapulted the team past the Brewers in the NLWCS and into the divisional round against the Phillies.

Declining numbers are one thing but to not even discuss a fan-favorite like Alonso and his place on the team moving forward is somewhat of a surprise. It does, though, make it easier to determine what his future looks like.

Prediction: Alonso signs elsewhere, like the Yankees, who need a first baseman after letting Anthony Rizzo walk

The Mets may not have been all that worried about retaining Alonso's services but the Houston Astros remain competitive for their longtime third baseman, Alex Bregman.

Nightengale wrote, "The Astros have a six-year deal worth $156 million sitting on the table—$5 million more than third baseman Matt Chapman received from the Giants but $26 million less than Adames—and Bregman is seeking in excess of $200 million."

He added that the team is expected to enhance the offer, but will it be enough to convince Bregman to stay?

The upstart Detroit Tigers and the title-hungry Philadelphia Phillies are two teams interested in acquiring Bregman, arguably the best third baseman in the game.

The question becomes whether the comfort of having played his entire career in Houston and his loyalty to the Astros will ultimately keep him in the orange and navy. That will all likely depend on whether he feels the team is loyal to him based on their enhanced offer.

Bregman hit 26 home runs, drove in 75 RBI, scored 79 total runs, and hit for a .260 average in 2024. He was a picture of steadiness and consistency, something that cannot be denied when other teams shop for someone in such a key position.

He led the majors with put-outs with 103 and was tops in the American League in assists (242), double plays (23), fielding percentage (.972), and range factor per game (2.43). He was one of the best defensive players in the game and any team that lands him will be better for it.

Prediction: Bregman stays in Houston on a late deal that proves how much both sides want the reunion

Corbin Burnes and Max Fried are the two best starting pitchers remaining on the market and Nightengale provided an update on both.

"Burnes and Fried should top $200 million. The San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox all lurk. The only drama is whether Fried goes ahead and signs before Burnes, or lets Burnes set the bar."

Burnes went 15-9 in another Cy Young-caliber season, pitching 194.1 innings and establishing a 2.92 ERA. He struck out 181 and had a WHIP of 1.096. He was good for 3.4 wins above replacement.

Fried went 11-10, with a 3.25 ERA, in 174.1 innings pitched. He struck out 166 and had a WHIP of 1.164. He ended the season with a WAR of 3.5. Had he not suffered a forearm injury in the summer, he may well have had better numbers across the board as one of the consistent bright spots in a dismal, injury-filled Braves season.

Both are going to get paid, and if Nightengale's report is accurate, either the AL-champ Yankees or two teams desperate to return to postseason baseball in Boston and San Francisco, will have new starting pitchers.

With the Yankees losing out on Soto, do not be surprised if they go on a tear, acquiring other free agents in an attempt to re-establish themselves as the American League's best, beginning with starting pitching.

Prediction: Yankees sign Fried, Burnes heads north to Boston