Cody Bellinger Is Sixth-Best Free Agent Of 2026 Class
Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees is the sixth-best free agent in Major League Baseball for 2026. Bellinger leads the next five free agents, including a Japanese import Munetaka Murakami, Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs, Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, and Ranger Suarez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bellinger had a good season for the Yankees in 2025 and will likely get lots of money in free agency, maybe more than the Yankees are willing to pay him. Where do you think these five free agents will end up?
Cody Bellinger, Outfielder, New York Yankees
- Potential suitors: Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers
Bellinger hit 29 home runs and had 98 runs batted in and batted .272. He added 13 stolen bases and also played outstanding defense at multiple positions. He took advantage of the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. His strikeouts were down, and his in-zone contact rate in 2025 ranked high, with names like Yandy DÃaz, Bo Bichette, and Jose Altuve.
If Bellinger finds the right fit, he should continue providing average, power, and great defense. Potential landing spots for Bellinger include the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Munetaka Murakami, First and Third Baseman, Japan
- Potential suitors: Yankees, Mets, Dodgers
At the seventh spot in the 2026 baseball free agent rankings is a powerful Japanese import. Murakami homered 56 times to break Sadaharu Oh’s single-season Nippon Professional Baseball record. Home runs in Japan do not necessarily translate to Major League Baseball, but he should hit a lot of home runs.
He strikes out a bunch. His strikeout rate has topped 28% the last three years. He is much better defensively at first base than at third base. He is young (he’ll turn 26 in February), which will make him a rich man. Potential suitors include the New York Yankees (where he fits), New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
8. LHP Shota Imanaga
Shota Imanaga was only 9-8 last year, but he did make 25 starts for the Chicago Cubs. He had a 3.73 earned run average and a sparkling .99 WHIP. He was an All-Star in 2024, but he struggled a bit more in 2025. Both his velocity and strikeout rate dipped, maybe signaling a bit of a decline.
He also had a strained hamstring last season. His fastball is his best pitch. At this point, the 30-year-old is probably a third starter, so teams should consider that as he enters free agency. He could sign with the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, or the Boston Red Sox.
Pete Alonso, First Baseman, New York Mets
Pete Alonso, the “Polar Bear,” just had one of the best seasons of his career. He batted .272 and hit 38 home runs with 126 runs batted in. That was good timing, as the free agent hopes to parlay his effort into a multi-year contract.
He cut his strikeout rate and established a new personal best. It is a fact that modern front offices view non-elite righty first basemen with a certain indifference, which is what he has become, despite the stellar power numbers. Alonso will be 31 on opening day, so a decline is probably coming soon. Potential landing spots include the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
10. LHP Ranger Suárez
Ranger Suarez had a good season for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was 12-8 and made 26 starts in 2025. He also struck out 151 batters in 157 innings. He is similar to Framber Valdez, who is also a free agent. These two form the top of the pitching market for the 2026 free agent class.
Suárez is more than a year younger than Valdez, and he operates with a broader arsenal, but Valdez has better stuff and a more robust track record of being an innings sponge. They are both coveted left-handed pitchers. Potential landing spots include the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants.
Conclusion
Bellinger leads this group of free agents coming into the 2026 Major League Baseball season. This list includes one import from Japan, a likely declining hitter, and two starting pitchers. This group is also likely to land big contracts.
