Following the conclusion of the World Series, the quiet period of free agency begins. Teams and players have five days to decide how they will handle their contractual options for 2026. For relievers, there will be pivotal decisions, starting with two of the best closers from 2025 owning opt-outs of their current contracts.
- Robert Suarez
- Edwin Díaz
No one has recorded more saves than Suarez’s 76 since the start of 2024. It has been speculated that he will receive a four-year deal worth approximately $100 million, almost ensuring he will not return to San Diego. If this happens, then the biggest question for the team will be focused on Mason Miller, courtesy of AJ Casavell for MLB.com in this post:
As for Díaz, his market is also expected to be robust, potentially including a return to the Mets. If he leaves, almost the entire leverage ladder must be rebuilt by John Stearns, who has preferred not to overpay for a closer during his time with the Brewers.
Both Pete Fairbanks ($12 million) and Andrés Muñoz ($7 million) have team options in their respective contracts. Fairbanks can be a free agent at the end of 2026, which may land him on the trade block per Adam Berry of MLB.com:
After posting a career-best 38 saves, Muñoz will have his team option picked up, as he remains underpaid in comparison to his peers. Daniel Kramer, of MLB.com, believes Seattle should be aggressive in adding a veteran reliever to an already strong bullpen:
Other relievers with team or player option decisions due by November 7 at 5 p.m.:
Right Handed Relievers
- Andrew Kittredge (CHC) – team option for $9 million
- Pierce Johnson (ATL) – team option for $7 million
- Tyler Kinley (ATL) – team option for $5 million
- Paul Sewald (CLE) – mutual option for $10 million
- Scott Barlow (CIN) – team option for $6.5 million
- Jonathan Loáisiga (NYY) – team option for $5 million
- Liam Hendriks (BOS) – mutual option for $12 million
Left-Handed Relievers
- AJ Minter (NYM) – player option for $11 million
- Brooks Raley (NYM) – team option for $4.8 million
- José Alvarado (PHI) – team option for $9 million
- Wandy Peralta (SD) – opt-in for $5.4 million
- Tim Hill (NYY) – team option for $3 million
- Brent Suter (CIN) – team option for $3 million
- Alex Vesia (LAD) – team option for $3.6 million
Free Agent Closers
Switching gears to the relievers available as free agents, we begin with six who recorded at least 18 saves in 2025.
Emilio Pagán – Only four relievers secured more than his 32 saves in 2025. Per this column by Mark Sheldon for MLB.com, the closer is hoping for a reunion with the Reds:
Raisel Iglesias – From June 9 on, he was 1-1 while converting 21 of 22 save opportunities and even chipped in a hold. Across 43.1 innings, he recorded 48 strikeouts against ten walks (24.1 K-BB percentage) with a 0.693 WHIP. He lowered his ERA from 6.75 to 3.21 by the end of the season.
Kenley Jansen – Posted a 1.48 ERA with 13 saves after the All-Star break. He ended the season with 476 career saves, two away from tying Lee Smith for third-most all-time. In his last 36 outings, he had a 1.02 ERA (four earned runs across 35.1 innings).
Kyle Finnegan – He recorded 20 saves for Washington. Following his trade, he went 3-0 with a hold and four saves, giving up three hits and three walks while posting 19 strikeouts in his first 14.1 innings with Detroit. There’s mutual interest in a possible return to the Tigers this offseason.
Ryan Helsley – No reliever had his market value hurt by performance more than Helsley. He converted 21 of 26 saves with the Cardinals but struggled with tipping pitchers and his ratios after being traded to the Mets. He may need a one-year show-me deal for the upcoming season.
Devin Williams – Front offices must discern if the Milwaukee “Airbender” that produced a 1.83 ERA and a 1.023 WHIP with 68 saves across 235.2 innings, or the Yankees version, who owned a 4.79 ERA with a 1.129 WHIP and 18 saves through 62 innings, will be the one a team gets.
Notable Right-handed Set-up Relievers
- Brad Keller
- Phil Maton
- Tyler Rogers
- Seranthony Domínguez
- Luke Weaver
- Shawn Armstrong
- Tommy Kahnle
- Jakob Junis
- Paul Blackburn
- Ryne Stanek
Notable Left-handed Set-up Relievers
- Taylor Rogers
- Gregory Soto
- Caleb Ferguson
- Sean Newcomb
- Andrew Chafin
- Danny Coulombe
- Jalen Beeks
Our bullpen hierarchies have been updated, although they will remain fluid until the options and opt-outs are finalized in the coming days.
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