With the Milwaukee Brewers crowned World Series champions, the 2026-27 MLB offseason is officially underway. CBS Sports has unveiled 10 bold predictions for the winter ahead, ranging from record-breaking contracts to blockbuster trades.
The top free agent, left-hander Tarik Skubal, is projected to sign a deal closer to $400 million than $300 million, surpassing Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million record for a pitcher. Agent Scott Boras has a history of shattering contract benchmarks.
World Series MVP William Contreras is forecast to buck the Brewers' recent trend of trading stars before free agency. The prediction calls for a six-year, $144 million extension that would make him the highest-paid catcher in over a decade.
In Houston, new general manager Randy Flores may trade shortstop Jeremy Peña rather than third baseman Isaac Paredes. The Astros are expected to receive overwhelming offers for Peña, similar to the Kyle Tucker trade two years ago.
The Atlanta Braves could shake up a core that stalled after June by trading a key position player, with Ozzie Albies named as the most likely candidate to be moved.
Left-hander Trevor Rogers, a year and a half younger than Freddy Peralta, is predicted to secure a richer contract — around $125 million compared to Peralta's $120 million — because teams value his perceived untapped upside.
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández could return to the Toronto Blue Jays via trade, providing the power bat Toronto needs and essentially replacing George Springer.
The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are identified as natural trade partners: Chicago has young position players like Matt Shaw to spare, while New York has starting pitching depth such as Will Warren to offer.
The Seattle Mariners, loaded with starting pitching, may finally trade an arm for a bat. George Kirby, two years from free agency, is cited as the most likely starter to be moved.
Japanese third baseman Teruaki Sato, set to be posted this offseason, could double Munetaka Murakami's two-year, $34 million deal with a four-year, $68 million contract, buoyed by Murakami's proof-of-concept in MLB.
Finally, at least seven of the top 10 free agents are expected to sign before December 1, when the collective bargaining agreement expires and a potential lockout looms. This would mark a sharp acceleration compared to recent offseasons.
