The 2026-27 Major League Baseball offseason is now more than a week old, yet the league is still awaiting its first major trade or high-profile free agency signing. This slow start is not unusual, as the offseason is a marathon rather than a sprint. Teams are likely waiting for the lockout expected when the collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, 2026. While the current free agent class is not considered elite, there are dozens of quality players available for those who know where to look.
Several players who did not rank in the top 50 free agents could still make significant contributions by raising a team's floor and improving the supporting cast. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Abreu is one such candidate. The 29-year-old experienced a split season, posting a 5.81 ERA before the All-Star break and a 1.71 ERA after. Advanced metrics like FIP and xERA were also more favorable in the second half, although Abreu lost nearly 2 mph of velocity on his fastball, which coincided with a drop in strikeouts. Despite this, his experience and remaining swing-and-miss ability make him a solid option for a contender's bullpen, likely as a seventh-inning starter rather than a closer.
Infielder J.P. Crawford is another player whose value may be overlooked as he enters his early 30s. His defensive range and arm strength have declined, making him less viable at shortstop, though he played 33 games at third base last season. Crawford is a better fit at second base, where he can contribute with his ability to get on base and avoid excessive strikeouts. Known as an excellent teammate and a positive clubhouse presence, Crawford appears ready to move on from the Seattle Mariners to play a new position and serve as a reliable part of a lineup rather than a franchise cornerstone.
Left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb has reinvented himself after a period of injury and ineffectiveness. The 33-year-old now throws a sinker and curveball combination, transforming into a workhorse utility reliever. He has pitched at least 90 innings in each of the last two seasons, filling every role from closer to starter. Newcomb limits walks, a former weakness, and suppresses hard contact. While he may not be a primary bullpen option for top contenders, his versatility makes him a valuable third or fourth arm for teams seeking a utility reliever.
Right-handed pitcher Emilio Pagán, now 35, showed sensational form after returning from a hamstring injury in July. He recorded a 1.88 ERA with 34 strikeouts and only five walks in his final 28 2/3 innings. His fastball remains firm, and his splitter is an elite pitch that can neutralize hitters on both sides of the plate. However, Pagán has always been prone to allowing home runs, with a career rate of 1.51 per nine innings. This trait is a concern for late-inning use, but teams willing to accept that risk will find him a capable high-leverage reliever.
Finally, designated hitter Joc Pederson offers a reliable platoon option. As a left-handed hitter, he excels against right-handed pitching, posting a .245/.338/.496 line with strong ball-tracking data. While he can play right field or first base for about six innings, he is essentially a bat-only player. Pederson, who will turn 35 in April, remains a powerful hitter and a positive presence in the clubhouse, making him a solid pickup for teams needing depth at the plate.
