2027 MLB Free Agents Struggling Early in 2026 Season

Key players looking to cash in next offseason are off to slow starts, putting their future earnings at risk.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented baseball scene with overlapping planes of muted colors, capturing the struggles of several high-profile players heading into free agency.Diminished performance from key 2027 MLB free agents could cost them lucrative contracts next offseason.NYC Today

Several high-profile MLB players set to hit free agency after the 2026 season are struggling mightily in the early going, jeopardizing their chances of landing lucrative contracts next offseason. Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Yankees, Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd of the Cubs, David Bednar of the Yankees, and Freddy Peralta of the Mets are all seeing diminished performance that could impact their future earnings.

Why it matters

These players need strong 2026 campaigns to position themselves for big paydays in the 2027 free agent market. Their early-season struggles could significantly affect their market value and future earning potential if the issues persist throughout the year.

The details

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is off to a .190 start with a .523 OPS and no home runs for the Yankees, well below his breakout 2025 season. Cubs pitchers Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have ERAs of 4.50 and 6.50 respectively through their first few starts. Yankees reliever David Bednar has a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP despite recording 5 saves. Mets offseason acquisition Freddy Peralta has a 4.80 ERA through 3 starts.

  • The 2026 MLB season is roughly 2 weeks old.
  • These players are in contract years and will hit free agency after the 2026 season.

The players

Jazz Chisholm Jr.

A second baseman for the New York Yankees who hit 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 2025, but is off to a slow .190 start in 2026.

Shota Imanaga

A left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who was an All-Star and top-5 Cy Young finisher in 2025, but has a 4.50 ERA through 2 starts in 2026.

Matthew Boyd

A left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who made his first All-Star team in 2025, but has a 6.50 ERA through 2 starts in 2026 and is headed to the IL with a bicep injury.

David Bednar

A right-handed relief pitcher for the New York Yankees who has 5 saves but a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP so far in 2026.

Freddy Peralta

A right-handed starting pitcher for the New York Mets who finished 5th in Cy Young voting in 2025, but has a 4.80 ERA through 3 starts in 2026.

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What’s next

These players will need to turn things around quickly if they want to maximize their value on the 2027 free agent market. Their struggles in the early part of the 2026 season could significantly impact the size of their next contracts.

The takeaway

The poor starts by these high-profile players highlight the precarious nature of free agency, where one down season can cost players millions of dollars. These players will need to regain their form in the coming months to position themselves for big paydays next offseason.