MLB free agent rankings: Top 10 outfielders originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox enter the offseason with a surplus of outfielders. They will have to pick a logjam consisting of Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and top prospect Roman Anthony.
That still shouldn’t stop them from signing one of the best outfielders on the free agent market. The group, headlined by superstar Juan Soto, consists of several big bats that would strengthen Boston’s lineup. Additionally, with Masataka Yoshida undergoing shoulder surgery, the Red Sox could pursue a lanky outfielder to take over the designated hitter role.
More 2025 MLB Free Agent Rankings
Here are the top 10 free-agent outfielders for the 2024-2025 offseason:
1. Juan Soto
Age: 26
2024 statistics: .288/.419/.569, 41 HR, 109 RBI, 119 SO, 129 BB (157 games)
Soto is the undisputed number 1 player on the market this winter. He just turned 26 last week and already has four All-Star titles, four Silver Sluggers, two top-five MVP finishes, a batting title and a World Series championship to his name. He is arguably the best hitter in the game and is only now entering his prime. We can expect him to earn a deal worth up to $650 million, and he will likely be worth every penny.
2. Teoscar Hernández
Age: 32
2024 statistics: .272/.339/.501, 33 HR, 99 RBI, 188 SO, 53 BB (154 games)
Hernandez signed a one-year “prove it” deal with the Dodgers last offseason, and “prove it” he did.
He bounced back after a rough season in Seattle with a career-high 33 home runs. His success continued into the postseason, where he hit three home runs and drove in 12 runs en route to a World Series title.
Hernandez relishes left-handed pitching, making him an attractive option for a Red Sox club that has struggled mightily against lefties throughout 2024.
3. Marcell Ozuna
Age: 34
2024 statistics: .302/.378/.546, 39 HR, 104 RBI, 170 SO, 74 BB (162 games)
Note: Ozuna has a $16 million club option with the Atlanta Braves through 2025.
Ozuna was one of four MLB players to appear in all 162 regular season games. The veteran slugger has been a huge bright spot for a Braves team decimated by injuries, and like Hernandez, he rakes against lefties.
4. Anthony Santander
Age: 30
2024 statistics: .235/.308/.506, 44 HR, 102 RBI, 129 SO, 58 BB (155 games)
Santander is a switch-hitter with fairly even splits against lefties and righties. He had a surge this year with career-highs in home runs, RBI and OPS.
5.Cody Bellinger
Age: 29
2024 statistics: .266/.325/.426, 18 HR, 78 RBI, 89 SO, 45 BB (130 games)
Update: Bellinger exercised his $27.5 million player option with the Chicago Cubs for 2025.
Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs last offseason and could remain in Chicago if he signs on, but he is reportedly expected to test the free agent market again.
While Bellinger’s 2024 season wasn’t as great as his 2023 campaign, he would still be the best left-handed bat on the market without the name Juan Soto. The departure of the 2019 NL MVP would be a significant loss for the Cubs.
6. Tyler O’Neill
Age: 29
2024 statistics: .241/.336/.511, 31 HR, 61 RBI, 159 SO, 53 BB (113 games)
O’Neill gave the Red Sox the right-handed pop they desperately needed in 2024 when he was in the lineup. The problem is that he missed a third of the season due to injuries. He has missed significant time in almost every year of his career.
It wouldn’t hurt to bring back O’Neill, but Boston should consider more durable sluggers to fill the right-handed void in the lineup.
7. Jurickson Profar
Age: 29
2024 statistics: .280/.380/.459, 24 HR, 85 RBI, 101 SO, 76 BB (158 games)
Profar is coming off a career year with the Padres. The former top MLB player earned his first All-Star nod while posting career highs in virtually every offensive statistic. He signed a modest $1 million contract with San Diego last offseason, but this time he was gearing up for a lucrative deal.
8. Max Kepler
Age: 32
2024 statistics: .253/.302/.380, 8 HR, 42 RBI, 80 SO, 22 BB (105 games)
Kepler’s offensive numbers took a nosedive after his exceptional 2023 season. Still, he boasts a solid record at the plate and has provided solid defense in right field throughout his 10-year career. That should be enough to earn him a strong bid this season.
9. Harrison Bader
Age: 30
2024 statistics: .236/.284/.373, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 95 SO, 21 BB (143 games)
Bader’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he has his moments at the plate and is an excellent defender in center field. His glove alone makes him an intriguing option for teams looking for depth in the outfield this winter.
10. Joc Pederson
Age: 33
2024 statistics: .275/.393/.515, 23 HR, 64 RBI, 105 SO, 55 BB (132 games)
Pederson is best deployed as a DH at this point in his career, and he thrived at that position last season for the D’backs. The two-time World Series champion posted a career-high .908 OPS. Twenty-two of his 23 home runs came from right-handers.
Honorable mentions: Alex Verdugo, Michael Conforto, Mitch Haniger, Jesse Winker, Mark Canha, Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe, Jason Heyward, Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk, Andrew McCutchen, JD Martinez, Rob Refsnyder
