Juan Soto's free-agency adventure is the biggest story of the 2024-25 MLB offseason.

That said, it's far from the only interesting plot point to follow during this iteration of the hot stove.

It feels fitting, then, that the latest batch of baseball buzz includes rumblings on both Soto's decision and that of some of the other top players available. Let's dissect the latest rumors and predict what the players involved will ultimately decide.

A Two-Team Race for Juan Soto?

Before the market even opened, Soto sounded more than ready to soak it all in. Back in October, he characterized his free agency as "exciting" and noted how he thinks "every player in the big league wants to experience this." He even expressed an openness to "listen to every single team."

While his market was never going to be 30-teams deep—only so many franchises can afford what's sure to be an astronomic contract—it always figured to be a competitive race for one of the most coveted players to ever enter the market. Any team in the race surely hopes it becomes exactly that, but some in the baseball world already think the sweepstakes include only the two New York teams.

"It's the Yankees or the Mets," one American League executive told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. "He knows the Yankees well after spending a year there, and Steve Cohen has enough money to give him whatever he wants if he decides he wants him badly enough. It's tough for me to see Soto winding up anywhere else."

Not to burst all the non-Big Apple-based bubbles out there, but our crystal ball agrees Soto isn't leaving New York City. While the Yankees gave Soto a season to remember during his first go-round in pinstripes, the Mets' potential to offer him the richest contract and still field a formidable roster around him seems too good for him to overlook.

Prediction: Soto signs with the Mets.

Surprise Landing Spot for Pete Alonso?

In some years, Pete Alonso might be the most sought-after player in free agency.

For anyone in need of offensive oomph, he can provide that in droves. Since debuting in 2019, he has belted 226 home runs over 846 career contests. The 29-year-old can be a batting average drag—though he did hit .271 over 160 games in 2022—his power is undeniable, and his run production is elite (162-game career averages of 112 RBI and 94 runs scored, per Baseball-Reference.com).

With all eyes—including those of the Mets'—on Soto, though, Alonso is kind of floating beneath the radar a bit. Could that open the possibility for someone to swipe him away from New York? Well, a recent survey of team executives and MLB insiders by ESPN's Jesse Rogers revealed that eight of 18 respondents predicted Alonso leaving the Mets with one voter predicting he'll join the Washington Nationals.

"He signs with Washington as a vibes/power guy similar to when they signed Jayson Werth before 2011, before their team was fully formed," the voter said.

That would be a fun jolt for the Nationals, but we see Alonso emerging as an excellent consolation prize for whichever New York team loses the Soto sweepstakes.

Prediction: The Yankees sign Alonso.

Astros Eyeing Willy Adames?

Free agency could not have come at a better time for Willy Adames.

The 29-year-old had delivered some big stat lines before, but nothing came close to his 2024 campaign. This was a full-fledged breakout on a number of fronts, as he not only posted personal-bests in home runs (32) and RBI (112), but he also set his high marks in stolen bases (21) and runs scored (93), too.

It's of little surprise, then, to hear Adames has generated "very broad" interest on the open market, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, who added that the Houston Astros could consider adding Adames and having him man third base if they don't re-sign Alex Bregman.

"I love that idea, by the way," Morosi said. "You put Adames, potentially, at third, [Jeremy] Peña at short, [Jose] Altuve at second, I would love that infield."

Bregman has manned the hot corner in Houston since 2016 and been a part of two different World Series championship teams. It's hard to picture him wearing another uniform, but he'll have plenty of interest elsewhere, just as the Astros will have alternatives if they go a different direction.

Prediction: Adames signs with the San Francisco Giants; Astros re-sign Bregman.