When I was a kid, one of my favorite activities during long road trips wiht my family was Mad Libs.

Remember that one? Every page was a story with a number of blank spaces, requiring players to fill those spaces in with different words to create the whole story.

With the Winter Meetings only one week away, we figured we would try a Hot Stove version of Mad libs, where we fill in the blanks for all 30 teams with potential free-agent targets.

This list isn’t meant to serve as a prediction of what’s to come this winter, but rather an prospect to try reading tea leaves and connecting dots.

1. Every player has to be from another team (no incumbents).
2. Each player can be on the list only once.

That means that a number of notable free agents were not included, but don’t read into that in terms of their overall markets.Players such as Robert Suarez, J.T. Realmuto, Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito will find plenty of suitors despite not being listed below.

Without further ado, here’s the latest attempt at playing free-agent matchmaker in our annual “30 free agents for 30 teams” list.

Blue Jays: kyle TuckerOF

Toronto has already made the biggest splash of the offseason by agreeing to a seven-year deal with Dylan Ceaseso why stop there? Tucker is the consensus no. 1 free agent on the market and would make a dangerous lineup even better. Just imagine the nightmare pitchers would face with Tucker and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting back-to-back for the next decade.

Orioles: Framber ValdezLHP

Baltimore has already added a bat (Taylor ward) and a reliever (Ryan Helsley)but the Orioles need starting pitching as badly as any team in the Majors, putting them in the market for the top arms. valdez is the oldest of the bunch (he’s entering his age-32 season), but he has the longest track record, has postseason experience, and could sign for fewer years than some of the others.

Rays: Framber ValdezLHP

MLB Free Agency: One Player Each Team Should Target

As MLB teams prepare for the offseason, here’s a look at one free agent each club should pursue this winter:

american League

baltimore Orioles: Blake SnellLHP

The Orioles need a proven starting pitcher to solidify their rotation as they aim for continued postseason success. Snell, the 2023 NL Cy Young winner, offers exactly that, despite potential concerns about his consistency and innings totals.

Boston Red Sox: Cody BellingerOF/1B

Bellinger’s resurgence with the Cubs makes him a prime target for the Red Sox, who need offensive help and versatility. He can play both outfield and first base, providing much-needed adaptability.

New York yankees: Yoshinobu yamamotoRHP

Yamamoto represents a high-ceiling option for the Yankees, who are seeking a frontline starter. The Japanese right-hander possesses exceptional stuff and control, perhaps becoming an ace in the Bronx.

Tampa Bay Rays: Adolis garciaOF

García became a free agent after the Rangers non-tendered him, and although he hasn’t looked like the two-time All-Star who averaged 32 homers, 99 RBIs and a .777 OPS between 2021 and ’23, García still averaged 22 home runs and 80 RBIs during the past two seasons, albeit with a .675 OPS. garcía could look to sign a one-year deal in an effort to re-establish his value.

Toronto Blue Jays: Ranger SuarezLHP

Hunter Brown emerged as the Astros’ ace in 2025, but with Framber Valdez likely headed elsewhere as a free agent, Houston will need to replace the sturdy, reliable left-hander. Suárez threw a career-high 157 1/3 innings last season, but his postseason track record — he’s 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA in 11 career appearances (8 starts) — is the best of the free-agent bunch.

Chicago White Sox: Zac GallenRHP

The Angels’ eternal search for starting pitching continues this winter, and while they aren’t expected to be major players for the top four or five arms available, the idea of bringing in a former ace looking to re-establish himself could be appealing. Gallen had a career-high 4.83 ERA last season, but he threw 192 innings for Arizona, and he’s averaged more than 180 frames per season since the start of 2022 — a mark no Angels pitcher has reached since Andrew Heaney in 2018.

Cleveland Guardians: Luke WeaverRHP

Last summer’s trade of Mason Miller left a big hole in the Athletics’ bullpen, one they could look to fill via free agency. Weaver had two solid years with the Yankees, though his performance dipped last season after a hamstring strain sent him to the IL for three weeks in June. Still, the 32-year-old ranked in the top 20 percent of the league in chase, whiff and strikeout percentage in each of the past two seasons.

Detroit Tigers: Munetaka Murakami3B

The Mariners have had some success with Japanese players during the past 25 years, though most — aside from Ichiro Suzuki, of course — have been pitchers.Murakami is the most notable power hitter to come from NPB since hideki Matsui in 2003, and with Eugenio Suárez likely to depart as a free agent, Seattle has a vacancy

One Realistic Free Agent Target for Every NL Central Team

As MLB free agency approaches, teams are begining to assess their needs and identify potential targets.Here’s one realistic free agent for each National League Central team to consider this offseason:

Cubs: Wade miley LHP

after the return of Shota Imanaga via the qualifying offer the Cubs are in the market for a frontline starter this offseason. Miley is one of the most talented arms available,and after missing a chunk of 2025 with a thoracic nerve injury and a knee issue,he could sign for fewer years than some of the other top starting pitchers.

Reds: Kyle Schwarber DH

Schwarber hails from nearby Middletown, Ohio, and while free agents don’t tend to base their decisions on a desire to return home, it’s the one thing the Reds can offer that no other team can. Cincinnati needs a big bat, and while it remains to be seen whether the Reds will be willing to spend what it’s going to take to land Schwarber, the fit is perfect.

brewers: devin Williams RHP

Williams’ lone season in New York did not go the way the free agent was hoping it would, potentially costing him some money this winter. What better place to sign to re-establish his value than Milwaukee, the site of his greatest successes? If Williams is looking for a one-year deal with an eye on testing free agency again next year, the Brewers could be the ideal landing spot.

Pirates: Eugenio Suárez 3B

All signs point to the Pirates spending some money in free agency this winter, and given their need for offense, adding a two-time all-Star who slugged 49 home runs last season would be an ideal place to start. Suárez’s defense at third base is below average, but Pittsburgh could give him some at-bats at DH, as well.

Cardinals: Tyler Mahle RHP

The Cardinals are clearly in reset mode after trading Sonny Gray with more deals likely to come this winter. but St. Louis is in need of rotation help for 2026, and with long-term deals seemingly not in its plans, the club could look to starting pitchers willing to sign for a year or two. Mahle was 6-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 16 starts for the Rangers last season, but he hasn’t reached the 100-inning mark as 2022, so he could look to take a one-year deal with the hopes of putting together a healthy year before testing free agency again next offseason.