With the expiration of the 2016 collective bargaining agreement, MLB and its players association began the league’s ninth work stoppage in history. The major issues revolve around player compensation and the lockout has yet to be resolved.
The two sides are moving closer to an agreement. When that happens, there are a number of players looking to sign with new teams. These are the top 10 MLB free agents available post-lockout.
Who has the leverage in the MLB lockout talks?
Carlos Correa – Houston Astros
The first pick in the 2012 draft hit .279 with 26 homers and 92 RBI last year racking up a career-best 7.2 WAR. With the huge deals that Corey Seager (Rangers) and Francisco Lindor (Mets) got in free agency this year, Correa could break the bank.
With Seager gone, Correa could land in LA with the Dodgers, but they have Trea Turner and the team with a more glaring weakness at shortstop is the New York Yankees. They will have to do some work with their payroll, but for a talent this good the Yankees will pay just about anything. Correa lands in New York in 2022.
Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves
Freeman has an NL MVP and a World Series ring in his career with Atlanta. He hasn’t had an OPS lower than .842 in nine seasons with the Braves and in the last four years he’s missed a total of five games. Freeman declined a qualifying offer from Atlanta, but it’s possible the five-time All-Star ends up staying home.
The Dodgers are in a great position to sign Freeman and there have been rumors of the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Yankees trying to get in on the action. When it’s all said and done, look for the Braves to add the additional year Freeman wants and keep him in Atlanta.
Kris Bryant – San Francisco Giants
At midseason last year, Bryant was traded by the Cubs to San Francisco. He was a big part of why the Giants finished with the best record in baseball. Bryant, who owns an NL MVP award, has hit 25 or more home runs in five of his seven MLB seasons. One of those he didn’t reach 25, Bryant was hurt and played just 34 games.
Bryant can play multiple positions and will probably command something like $160 million over six years. Only a handful of teams have the cap space and need – Seattle, Colorado, NY Mets, LA Angels, and San Diego. The Mariners tried to trade for Bryant last year. Look for Bryant in Seattle, a team that needs his power hitting, this season.
Trevor Story – Colorado Rockies
Story is a career .272 hitter with an average of 34 homers per 162 games. He has played his entire six- year MLB career in Colorado but will most likely not be a Rockie in 2022. Where he lands is a tough one. The Yankees need a shortstop but would probably rather have Correa.
Oakland would love to have a shortstop like Story, but the A’s typically don’t spend big money. One team, Detroit, actually does spend big money and has the room to do so. The Tigers are improving and landing Story would be a significant upgrade over the five players that played shortstop in Detroit last season.
Nick Castellanos – Cincinnati Reds
Castellanos spent the last year-and-a-half in Cincy. He hit 41 homers, had 121 RBIs, and hit .309 last season. Cleveland might be a solid landing spot now that Castellanos plays in the outfield full time. There are a handful of other teams that make sense too, but the big one is San Diego.
The Padres showed interest before the lockout and another big bat could push San Diego over the top next season.
Kyle Schwarber – Boston Red Sox
Schwarber was traded at midseason last year from the Nationals to the Red Sox. In 41 games, he hit .291 with seven homers. For the season, Schwarber hit 32 dingers and hit .266. Boston isn’t like to re-sign and Schwarber probably isn’t going back to the Nationals.
The Phillies need a centerfielder and Schwarber doesn’t help there, but the team did pursue him before the lockout. It might be a surprise, but look for Schwarber in Philly in 2022.
Carlos Rodon – Chicago White Sox
Rodon went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA last season. He started his first MLB All-Star game and tossed a no- hitter against Cleveland. The left-hander really came into his own last season, his seventh in the majors. With a WHIP of 0.957 last season, Rodon is a coveted left-handed pitcher.
There is no question the Yankees need the pitching help though Rodon’s health would be a concern. He was hurt in 2019 and 2020 and teams may question if he can go a whole season again. Still, the Yankees need the starting pitching help.
Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers
Coming off a season in which he recorded 38 saves and had a 2.22 ERA, Jansen has been mentioned as a possibility in Miami. The Marlins need a closer like Jansen, but you know who else does? The Dodgers. He is the Dodgers’ franchise leader in saves with 350 and he’s a big reason for the team’s success over the past five years. LA can’t let him get away…and they won’t.
Clayton Kershaw – Los Angeles Dodgers
The Rangers signed Kershaw’s teammate Corey Seager and they still have room to add a three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher. Remember, Kershaw is from Dallas. It’s likely he either re-signs with the only MLB team he’s ever played for or goes home to play with the Rangers.
With Seager, Marcus Semien, and Kole Calhoun in Texas, the possibility of a World Series run for the Rangers is real. And, Kershaw can go home. Kershaw to Texas in 2022.
Anthony Rizzo – New York Yankees
Traded to the Yankees last summer, Rizzo would like to stay. He can’t control that as the Yankees have some interest Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson. The three-time All-Star is confident though that his performance – 250 career home runs – speaks for itself.
That’s why his former team, the Cubs, wants him back. Look for the Cubs to put together a deal to bring their former star back to the Windy City.
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