The virtual stench of desperation will soon be wafting through the air in many MLB The Show 25 franchise mode clubhouses. The early standings will mock your efforts. The trade market will nothing but scraps. Yet (unlikely) salvation may linger in free agency, where overlooked or forgotten veterans await your digital signature. These real-world castaways—players who commanded millions just seasons ago and one coming back from significant injury—now float in baseball purgatory, unsigned, undervalued, and ideal for the savvy virtual general manager of your ilk to patch roster holes without sacrificing future flexibility.
Most Worthwhile MLB The Show 25 Free Agents Available Right Now
1. J.D. Martinez (DH)
Martinez’s bat no longer strikes terror into opposing dugouts. His .235 average and 16 home runs in 2024 whisper of decline rather than shout dominance. But the veteran still hurt left-handed pitching with a .370 OBP, making him the perfect platoon weapon in your franchise’s arsenal. The three-time Silver Slugger winner remains a professional hitter who works counts, delivers clutch RBIs, and mentors young sluggers. Martinez provides instant offensive credibility for rebuilding teams or a complementary bat for contenders, particularly as you navigate the grind of a 162-game season.
Ideal Fit: Tampa Bay Rays – Low-cost veteran bat to complement younger hitters.
2. Anthony Rizzo (1B)
The former Yankee hit 22 homers and ranked 15th among MLB first basemen last season, despite his overall offensive regression. Rizzo’s patient approach (10.5% walk rate) compensates for his fast-diminishing contact skills, providing on-base value even when hits become scarce. His defensive positioning and experience handling errant throws transform your infield defense (especially late in games) overnight. The four-time Gold Glover delivers stability through the marathon of a franchise season, his veteran presence particularly valuable during simulated stretches when you hand control to the AI. Plug him into a rebuilding team and watch him elevate everyone around him.
Ideal Fit: Miami Marlins – Bridge option for a rebuilding lineup.
3. Kyle Gibson (SP)
Durability defines Gibson’s appeal. The veteran workhorse delivered 169.2 innings across 30 starts last season, grinding through lineups with a 47.1% groundball rate that plays in any ballpark. His 4.24 ERA won’t win Cy Young votes, but it keeps you competitive every fifth day. In franchise mode, Gibson’s reliability prevents bullpen burnout during simulated stretches and provides breathing room for developing prospects. For teams stuck in baseball purgatory—not contending but not rebuilding—Gibson bridges the gap without blocking the future.
Ideal Fit: Washington Nationals – Mentor for young rotation arms.
4. David Robertson (RP)
Robertson fought Father Time with a stick and won in 2024, posting a crisp 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts across 72 innings. His curveball baffled hitters (.178 expected batting average), proving effective even as his fastball velocity declined. The Show 25 rewards pitchers with high strikeout rates (12.4 K/9), making Robertson a franchise-mode gem. His versatility allows deployment from the sixth inning through the ninth, filling whatever bullpen role your team desperately needs. Robertson carries postseason pedigree, too, having pitched in 42 career playoff games—experience that translates when your franchise reaches October.
Ideal Fit: Texas Rangers – Robertson’s postseason pedigree (3.04 career playoff ERA) suits a possible contender, so he could be a tradeable asset.
5. Phil Maton (RP)
Maton’s spin-heavy four-seamer (2,450 RPM) neutralized right-handed batters (.220 batting average) in 2024 with a passable 3.66 ERA. His 60 strikeouts in 64 innings demonstrate enough missed bats to warrant a middle-relief role in your virtual bullpen. The game’s mechanics favor high-spin pitchers, making Maton perform above his real-world statistics. For budget-conscious franchises, Maton represents affordable middle-inning depth without requiring premium resources.
Ideal Fit: Pittsburgh Pirates – Affordable middle-inning depth for all the starters not named Skenes. Probable trade bait.
6. José Iglesias (SS/2B)
Few players finished 2024 hotter than Iglesias, who scorched September/October pitching with a .371 average. His season-long .337 average (85 games) and defensive versatility mask his offensive limitations (just four homers, 137 OPS+). In The Show 25, Iglesias flourishes as a defensive replacement, pinch-runner, and spot starter who will acquit himself well at the plate. His exceptional contact skills (minimal strikeouts) play particularly well in late-game situations when you need to advance runners or avoid double plays.
Ideal Fit: San Francisco Giants – Defensive replacement with contact skills.
7. Lance Lynn (SP)
Lynn’s 3.84 ERA across 117.1 innings masked troubling peripherals, including a 4.94 FIP, suggesting significant regression looms. Nevertheless, his 22.7% strikeout rate remains playable, particularly in shorter outings where his velocity plays up. For franchises needing rotation stability and an innings-eater, Lynn provides a reliable fifth starter who keeps you competitive without requiring long-term commitment. His experience and clubhouse presence benefit developing staffs, while his name recognition makes him flippable at the trade deadline if your franchise season goes sideways.
Ideal Fit: Chicago White Sox – Flip candidate at the trade deadline.
8. José Urquidy (SP)
Urquidy missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, making the 29-year-old the ultimate low-risk lottery ticket in your franchise mode. His last on-field performance (5.29 ERA in 2023) offers little encouragement, but The Show 25‘s injury recovery algorithms often grant pitchers enhanced performance following simulated rehabilitation. Stash Urquidy in your virtual minor leagues for the first half of the season, then introduce him to your rotation when inevitable injuries strike. His pre-surgery arsenal featured impressive command and a deceptive changeup that could reemerge to potentially deliver unexpected value for minimal investment.
Ideal Fit: San Diego Padres – Low-risk depth for a rotation needing fifth-starter stability and might actually be a ripe for a very team-friendly deal.
9. Patrick Corbin (SP)
Corbin’s 5.62 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 174.2 innings in 2024 showcase a pitcher in steep decline, his once-devastating slider now merely ordinary and extremely hittable (NL-leading 208 hits and 109 runs allowed). The barrel rate (10.1%) and exit velocity (89.9 mph) he surrendered confirm hitters no longer fear his offerings. Yet Corbin’s virtual value lies in pure volume — few available pitchers provide 30-start durability, even with mediocre results. For rebuilding franchises with barren pitching cupboards, Corbin eats innings that would otherwise fall to undeveloped prospects, protecting young arms in their farm system from premature exposure. The game’s simulated crowds won’t boo his performances, and his left-handed arsenal occasionally produces surprising gems against lineup configurations that struggle with his arm angle.
Ideal Fit: Colorado Rockies – You could do the funniest thing and set some all-time single-season records for hits and runs allowed.
10. Alex Verdugo (OF)
As the most intriguing player on the list, Verdugo, a 28-year-old free-agent outfielder, is a puzzle. He’s struggled versus breaking balls (.189 BA, 32.7% whiff rate). But he provides elite defensive metrics, contact-oriented hitting, and postseason experience. Despite a down 2024 offensive season (.233/.291/.356, 13 HR, 61 RBI), his defensive value (96th percentile arm strength, 76th percentile OAA) and low strikeout rate (15.1% career) make him a viable short-term solution for teams needing stability in left field. The Show developers are once again saying “defense matters” this year, so Verdugo could be a good fit.
Ideal Fit: San Diego Padres – Pair Verdugo with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill for an outfield with elite arm talent and above-average range. He’s also a left-handed bat in a right-hand dominant lineup.
Published: Mar 5, 2025 09:47 am