Bold offseason forecasts point to a record-setting deal for Tarik Skubal, major roster changes and an unusually fast free-agent market. The predictions include Milwaukee extending World Series MVP William Contreras, Houston trading Jeremy Peña, Atlanta moving Ozzie Albies, and Seattle dealing a starting pitcher for a bat.

By the Numbers
  • Skubal is projected to sign for more than $350 million, topping Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million pitching record.
  • Contreras’ proposed extension: six years, $144 million.
  • Trevor Rogers is projected to land about $125 million, narrowly outpacing Freddy Peralta at roughly $120 million.
  • Teruaki Sato is projected to sign for four years and $68 million—double Munetaka Murakami’s two-year, $34 million deal.
  • At least 7 of the top 10 free agents are predicted to sign in November, ahead of a potential lockout on Dec. 1.
Yes, But

These are speculative calls, not reported negotiations or confirmed plans. Several hinge on teams choosing to trade established players despite having alternatives, while the projected contracts depend on how clubs value age, upside and positional scarcity.

State of Play
  • The offseason is just beginning, with no major free-agent signing or trade yet.
  • A potential lockout looms when the collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, which could push teams and players to act earlier than usual.
What’s Next

Watch for early free-agent movement and trade talks involving the Cubs and Yankees, Houston’s infield, and Seattle’s rotation. If the lockout risk accelerates negotiations, November could become unusually busy.

Bottom Line

The defining question is whether clubs will pay record prices and reshape rosters before labor uncertainty disrupts the market. If these forecasts are right, this offseason will be less about waiting for bargains and more about acting early.