Ranking the top available free agent relief pitchers ahead of the 2025 season

An MLB team’s bullpen is one of the most important parts of the team. A good player can turn a team into a contender. A great player can make them World Series favorites.

There’s a reason why every competing team is eager to trade replacement weapons at the trade deadline. The ability to shorten games on the back end is critical to winning a World Series.

This offseason’s free agency class will be full of bullpen talent. There are a number of names that could hit the open market and completely change the landscape of the team they sign with.

Let’s dive deeper into this upcoming free agent class of relief pitchers.

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There are four guys hitting the open market this winter who could be considered All-Star closers. They have proven in 2024 that they are elite weapons that make more money. Any contending team could use one of these four players to get right in the eighth inning or closer. Not many relievers in the league are better than these pitchers.

Tanner Scott

Tanner Scott was the most sought-after pitcher at the trade deadline and could also be the most sought-after pitcher in free agency.

This season, Scott achieved incredible success with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. Scott is the only left-handed hitter on the roster and is clearly the best left-handed bullpen arm in this free agency class. He should get a pretty strong contract this winter and whoever signs him will be very lucky.

Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen has been an elite closer for over a decade. He has recorded at least 20 saves in six of the past seven seasons, with the lone exception being the Covid-19-shortened 2020 season. Although he did not post an elite ERA this season with the Boston Red Sox, Jansen posted an elite ERA nine numbers and a WHIP of just over 1.00.

Adding him to a bullpen gives you more than just a productive arm. He is a presence in the bullpen and in the clubhouse. All participating teams will likely make an offer for Jansen this winter.

Kirby Yates

Kirby Yates was one of the most underrated backups in the game last season. Yates played 61 games for the Texas Rangers, throwing 61.2 innings while maintaining a ridiculous 1.17 ERA with 33 saves and a K/9 rate of over 12.

He was really dominant even though he was in his mid-30s. I expect him to take a small step backwards in production next season just because it’s almost impossible to be that dominant on a consistent basis. But another season with 33-plus saves and an ERA under 2.00 isn’t out of the question.

Carlos Estevez

Carlos Estevez proved his dominance last season. He dominated with the Los Angeles Angels before moving to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he finished the season. In 55 innings in 2024, Estevez recorded 26 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP.

The Phillies will likely be aggressive in trying to get him back because they traded a lot to acquire him, but anyone who signs Estevez will be closer to an elite level.

Even though the four guys above have the title of “elite,” I don’t want it to seem like these two replacements are bad. These two weapons aren’t bad by any means, but they’re just not quite on the level of the four previously listed. This pair of arms should be considered elite, high-leverage arms with the potential to be closer depending on what a team already has in the bullpen.

Blake Treinen

Blake Treinen is an elite bullpen arm. In my opinion he should be a closer in the league, but he only made nine saves in four years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right-hander was once an All-Star closer for the Oakland Athletics and he has the same ability to return to that form if given the opportunity. Categorizing Treinen as a “borderline” feels like an insult because he is an elite arm. He just hasn’t been given as many parade opportunities lately. Whoever signs him could move him back into a closer role where he would absolutely excel.

Clay Holmes

Clay Holmes was an All-Star-level closer in the first half of 2024, but his performance plummeted when he was replaced as the New York Yankees’ closer by Luke Weaver. With Holmes now receiving unrestricted free agency, he will likely end up with another team.

A change of scenery might be best for Holmes. One of the most scrutinized jobs on the planet is the Yankees’ closer, as every botched save seems like the end of the world. In a new situation he could return to his elite form.

The six players previously listed should be entered as eighth- or ninth-inning hitters for elite teams. The next two guys on this list are not at the same level, but they play their roles very well. This pair of arms is considered one of the best high-leverage arm pairs in the league, even if they probably wouldn’t cut it as a closer on a World Series-caliber team.

David Robertson

David Robertson is nearing 40 years old but is still a quality bullpen arm. In 72 innings as the Texas Rangers’ setup man last season, Robertson posted a 3.00 ERA, 2.65 FIP and 1.11 WHIP.

He’s obviously on the older side of the league, but he’s still a serviceable bullpen arm. I would expect Robertson to sign a relatively cheap one-year deal with a contending team because he wants to help someone win another World Series championship before retiring.

Jeff Hoffman

Although Jeff Hoffman wasn’t the most reliable arm in the postseason, he was an integral part of the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen all season long.

In 66.1 innings, Hoffman posted a 2.17 ERA, 2.52 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP en route to his first All-Star selection. He posted elite strikeout numbers and very low walk rates. Hoffman will be an elite setup man in 2025 no matter what team signs him.