Spring training games are officially underway, which means for most MLB fans, free agency is a thing of the past. With that being said, there are still some intriguing names out there waiting to sign with a team before Opening Day.
Each of the best remaining options has a likely suitor, but anything can happen when signing this late. Here’s a look at some dark horses that could be in play to swoop in and make one more meaningful move before the season begins.
RHP Max Scherzer
Likely destination: Toronto Blue Jays
Dark horse destination: San Diego Padres
It feels like a matter of when, not if, Max Scherzer will re-sign with the Toronto Blue Jays, as it was reported on Friday that Toronto appears to be the most serious suitor for the future Hall of Famer. With that being said, the Blue Jays have a ton of starting pitching depth as it is, so it’s not as if they need him. A team like the San Diego Padres certainly could use him, though.
The Padres have signed German Marquez, Griffin Canning and even Walker Buehler recently, hoping to add depth to a rotation full of question marks. But even at 41 years of age, Scherzer offers more reliability than all three of those arms. You can never have enough starting pitching, and San Diego sure could use more of it if they hope to get back to the postseason.
1B Rhys Hoskins
Likely destination: Washington Nationals
Dark horse destination: Miami Marlins
Rhys Hoskins still languishing away in free agency is a bit surprising, because he’s still a productive hitter when healthy. He hit 26 home runs in 2024, and had a 108 OPS+ in 90 games last season for the Milwaukee Brewers before injuries and Andrew Vaughn’s emergence cost him his job. He can be streaky, but he continues to have a terrific eye and a bunch of power. He’d help a team like the Washington Nationals that lacks right-handed hitters and could use a first baseman (and a veteran presence in the clubhouse) a ton.
A team like the Miami Marlins could make sense, too. Unlike Washington, Miami has an outside shot of squeaking into the NL Wild Card race, and Hoskins would be an upgrade over the expected platoon of Liam Hicks and Christopher Morel at first base. He would also come cheap, making this a no-brainer move for the Marlins to make.
RHP Lucas Giolito
Likely destination: Atlanta Braves
Dark horse destination: Minnesota Twins
Lucas Giolito is seemingly waiting for a team to get desperate enough to meet his contract demand