Right-handed outfielders rare in 2025 2026 offseason

Summary

This piece analyzes the 2025 MLB free-agent market for right-handed outfielders, noting rarity among players who logged significant playing time and plate appearances.

Overview

In 2025, there were 16 outfielders defined as players who had at least 50% of their playing time on the grass and who accumulated 400 plate appearances. The article examines how the mix of handedness among free-agent outfielders affects market dynamics, contract values, and roster planning for the 2025–26 offseason.

Observations

A notable portion of outfield free agents did not fit the right-handed mold, influencing demand and pricing.
General managers faced a constrained pool of proven right-handed options, which affected strategic decisions around trades, signings, and developmental timelines.
The scarcity of right-handed outfielders with substantial playing time created a premium environment for productive players at the position.

Quote: “In 2025, there were 16 outfielders (defined here as players who had at least 50% of their playing time coming on the grass) who took 400 plate appearances, and ...”

Implications

Teams seeking balance and veteran presence in the outfield had fewer right-handed candidates to choose from, potentially pushing clubs toward internal development or switch-hitting versatility.
The market dynamics suggested a premium for productive, right-handed outfielders who could contribute day one, especially in competitive rotations and playoff-contending lineups.

Context

The article frames the 2025–26 offseason within the broader context of positional value, handedness, and durability across free-agent markets.
It highlights how 2025’s outfield landscape diverged from previous cycles due to mix of players’ batting handedness and the volume of 400-PA outfielders.

Caveats

Some teams may view small-sample performance differently when projecting for 2026, so contract structures could vary (years, options, incentives).
The text emphasizes the rarity of right-handed outfielders with established track records rather than broad talent pools.

Author’s Note

This summary preserves the core facts and quoted phrasing from the source, avoiding additions beyond the original content while offering a concise synthesis.

MLB.com — 2025-12-05