MLB's Most Underrated Free Agents: Who Execs and Agents Are Quietly Buzzing About

The Free Agency Market Nobody's Talking About Yet

While the headlines this winter will obviously chase names like Tarik Skubal, the real value — according to the people actually running front offices and negotiating contracts — is hiding in plain sight. Execs and agents are already working the phones behind the scenes, and a handful of names keep coming up as potential bargains once the postseason wraps and free agency opens before the Dec. 1 lockout deadline.

Alec Bohm Is Quietly One of the Best Bets Out There

One American League executive put it plainly: Bohm is going to have a real market this winter, even if he's not generating the same buzz as the marquee names. It's easy to forget he was the No. 3 overall pick back in 2018 — that kind of pedigree doesn't just disappear. What's making teams pay closer attention now is how he closed out the season. Bohm hit .298/.369/.425 over the second half, with four home runs and 41 RBI, numbers that suggest a player trending upward, not one just cashing in on reputation.

With contending teams constantly hunting for right-handed bats who can handle the infield, Bohm checks a lot of boxes without commanding a top-tier price tag. A surprise trade earlier in his career hasn't been forgotten, but the consensus among insiders is that his best seasons could still be ahead of him — which is exactly the kind of value teams look for in a crowded free-agent class.

Why This Market Is Harder to Predict Than Usual

This offseason is shaping up to be unusually unpredictable. Some agents expect quick movement, with top-tier deals getting done well before the lockout. Others, including front-office voices like GM Alex Anthopoulos, think the pace will come down to how aggressive individual teams and player reps want to be. That split opinion matters for fans trying to read the tea leaves — it means mid-tier and undervalued players like Bohm could either get scooped up fast by teams trying to beat the rush, or linger while bigger names dominate the market first.

What to Watch For

Keep an eye on which teams are publicly hunting for right-handed power or infield depth — that's where Bohm's market will take shape. And more broadly, this winter is a good reminder that free agency value isn't always about who's getting the biggest check. The players execs are quietly circling now are often the ones who end up being the smartest signings of the offseason, long after the big splashy deals are forgotten.