The Post predicts who the 10 biggest contracts next offseason will go to:
He already reportedly turned down a $440 million extension from the Nationals. The generational lefty slugger will hit the open market at just 26 and could top $500 million.
About as reliable as any ace the past few seasons, the former Brewers star holds a 2.86 ERA in 105 games since 2020. The righty will be turning 30 in October and has not yet broken down like so many of his contemporaries.
The lefty is a year older than Burnes and coming off an injury-filled season — though one that included a forearm strain, blister and hamstring strain and not elbow or shoulder issues. Otherwise, Fried has been typically dependable and typically dominant, holding a 2.66 ERA in 83 games since 2020.
The Yankees and Mets could have third-base openings, which would make for a fascinating dynamic considering Bregman’s presence on the sign-stealing Astros. This will be Bregman’s age-30 season, and while he hasn’t matched the dominance of his 2018 and ’19, he has been solid and earned MVP votes the past two years.
The Mets have not locked up the face of their franchise and the most prodigious slugger in baseball since he broke into the league. Alonso, 30 in December, could be hurt by a deep market at his position and overall concerns about aging first basemen.
We’re guessing the first baseman/center fielder opts out of his contract after not finding the long-term offer he sought this offseason. If Bellinger repeats his excellent 2023 (.881 OPS), he would be happier next offseason.
The shortstop market should be fairly thin, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the sure-handed glove finds his way to a nine-figure deal. Adames will be 29 next offseason, is a standout defender and has been 10 percent better than the average hitter (.767 OPS) since 2020.
The lefty’s performance this season will dictate whether he finds better offers than the one he accepted from the Giants (two years for $62 million with an opt-out). We’re guessing the two-time Cy Young winner will opt out and hit the market again as a 32-year-old.
A big season — like his 2020 (when he won the AL Cy Young) or 2022 (seventh runner-up) would catapult the righty up this list. The 28-year-old is coming off a down year in which he logged a 3.80 ERA and was held to 21 starts because of elbow inflammation.
The model of consistency and one of the best hitters of his generation, Goldschmidt has played in at least 150 games in every full season since 2013 and received either MVP votes or an All-Star nod (or both) in every one of those years — except for last season, when his offense took a step back (.810 OPS). The first baseman is 36 and won an MVP as recently as 2022.