Here are the MLB catchers most likely to be free agents after the 2026 season, based on current public lists of the 2026-27 class and catcher market breakdowns: J.T. Realmuto, Salvador Perez, Victor Caratini, Danny Jansen, Austin Hedges, Elias Díaz, Jonah Heim, Gary Sánchez, and Christian Vázquez.

Catchers to watch

  • J.T. Realmuto.
  • Salvador Perez, if his club option is not exercised.
  • Victor Caratini.
  • Danny Jansen, if his mutual option is not exercised.
  • Austin Hedges.
  • Elias Díaz.
  • Jonah Heim.
  • Gary Sánchez.
  • Christian Vázquez.

Quick read

The catcher market is usually thin, and the lists this summer show that again; MLB’s own free-agent breakdown after the 2025-26 offseason already highlighted Realmuto, Perez, Caratini, Jansen, Hedges, Díaz, Heim, Sánchez, and Vázquez among the notable catchers in the pool. MLB Trade Rumors’ 2026-27 free-agent rankings also point to this being a relatively shallow catcher class compared with other positions.

Notes

  • Perez is listed with a club option, so whether he actually reaches free agency depends on that decision.
  • Jansen is listed with a mutual option, so his status also depends on that option being declined or not picked up.
  • The rest are straight free-agent possibilities unless they sign extensions before then.

Data snapshot

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Player Status from public list
J.T. Realmuto Free-agent catcher in the class after 2026
Salvador Perez Club option listed
Victor Caratini Projected free agent
Danny Jansen Mutual option listed
Austin Hedges Projected free agent
Elias Díaz Projected free agent
Jonah Heim Projected free agent
Gary Sánchez Projected free agent
Christian Vázquez Projected free agent
TL;DR: the main catchers to track after 2026 are Realmuto, Caratini, Hedges, Díaz, Heim, Sánchez, and Vázquez, with Perez and Jansen depending on option decisions.