Pitching Dominates 2026 Free-Agent Market

The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be all about pitching, with the San Diego Padres facing a potential rotation crisis if free agents Dylan Cease and Michael King depart, leaving an aging Yu Darvish to anchor the staff. Cease’s elite strikeout rates and durability make him a top free-agent target, and the Los Angeles Angels are among the clubs linked to him. If re‑signing Cease or King proves unaffordable, the Padres could pivot to a high-end left-hander such as Framber Valdez. The New York Yankees are weighing pitching options and could use Luis Gil as a trade asset or move him to the bullpen. The St. Louis Cardinals are prioritizing rotation upgrades with low-risk, bounce-back targets like Dustin May, while the Tampa Bay Rays are viewed as realistic suitors for veteran innings-eater Adrian Houser. Payroll limits and competing needs mean the market should feature a mix of big-ticket signings and reclamation/innings-eating moves this winter.