The MLB offseason is officially underway and free agency opens Thursday at 5 p.m. ET. Reporters gathered intel from executives, agents and scouts during the World Series and the early consensus is starting to form: big-money signings, a handful of blockbuster trade targets and several clubs ready to be aggressive.
Top free-agent hitters: Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Tucker projects to be one of the most expensive bats on the market. Several evaluators believe he will command a contract north of $300 million, which will narrow the pool of realistic suitors to a handful of big-market clubs — think Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Teams weighing a mega-deal for Tucker are balancing elite production when healthy against an injury history the last two seasons.
Kyle Schwarber should draw wide interest but on a shorter term structure; because he turns 33 before Opening Day, a five-year maximum appears likely. That shorter duration keeps mid-market teams viable bidders, but larger-market clubs will probably drive the top offers. Insiders expect Schwarber to eclipse his previous earnings and for the Phillies to be among those weighing a reunion. Both hitters share the
