Carlos Correa (Getty Images)
The frustrating lockout continues in the world of Major League Baseball, as ideas for an expanded playoff format, the universal DH and a lottery-based draft system are being suggested. There does seem to be a feeling that the lockout may be nearing an end, as many high-profile sources have reported some progress in the labour negotiations.
Hopefully, this means that the MLB season will be back on and the many superstar free agents still on the market will finally be able to find their new teams.
Thus, with the expectation that we might see some signings within the next month, I decided to take a look at 15 of the most sought after free agents in all of baseball and simply speculate where I expect them to land.
I will be combining some news I've read with my gut feeling and how the player fits into a certain team.
With that being said, let's get started.
Carlos Correa, SS
One of the best shortstops in the sport, you can expect that Correa will be compensated very handsomely for his terrific year in 2021. There are many teams that will be in the running for the skilled hitter once the lockout ends and the offseason resumes.
The Astros are expected to offer him a deal to keep him in Houston, but it's been reported that Correa is looking for more money than the Astros are willing to give out. The two New York teams (Mets and Yankees) as well as the two Chicago teams (Cubs and White Sox) will likely be in the running too.
At the end of the day, I expect the Boston Red Sox to sweep in and add Correa to their already excellent infield. The Red Sox have one of the best shortstops in the game already in Xander Bogaerts, but I wouldn't be surprised if they went for Correa and moved Bogaerts to second base.
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Freddie Freeman (Kirby Lee, USA Today)
World Series champion Freddie Freeman has been with the Atlanta Braves for his entire career. Despite the fact that other teams like the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers are lurking, I can't seriously see the Canadian superstar playing in any other jersey than that of the Braves.
He'll warrant a long-term contract that will hopefully see him end his career in Atlanta. He deserves it after all his service for the organization. Freeman should go down as one of the best Braves of all-time.
Trevor Story, SS
A very good all-around player, Story is another who will warrant a long look from many teams in the MLB. The Yankees, the Mariners and the Astros will be in on the shortstop, but I expect that Story will sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bryce Harper's MVP campaign will convince management to go for it and Story would be a key part of a team that can compete at the very top of the National League. The Phillies have a weakness at shortstop, as Didi Gregorius has taken a step back. The Phils may decided to use their money elsewhere, like more pitching help or a good free agent outfielder, but Story would undoubtedly make them a better team. He could be signed for a fairly cheap deal as well.
Kris Bryant, 3B/OF
Though Kris Bryant never managed to become the generational superstar that many expected him to be after the World Series title with the Cubs, he is still an incredibly valuable player with a lot of versatility. He was acquired by the San Francisco Giants in the offseason and I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed within the division, but with a different team: the San Diego Padres.
The Padres fell off in a huge way towards the end of last season and with the Dodgers looking to make aggressive moves, San Diego needs an infusion of star power. Fernando Tatis Jr’s injury struggles are well-documented and Bryant could mask San Diego’s lack of depth with his impressive hitting ability.
Nick Castellanos, RF
Nick Castellanos (Getty Images)
Castellanos really became a very good player after becoming a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2020. His leadership and hitting skills have helped him become one of the most sought-after outfielders in this free agency class. It has widely been speculated that Castellanos would return to his hometown of Florida and play for the Miami Marlins. Though the Padres and Rockies will contest his signing, I expect that the MLB's only female GM, Kim Ng, will look at the other moves in the NL East and try to make a splash of her own.
Castellanos would be a great option for the Fish.
Kenley Jansen, RHP
Still a top reliever, Jansen hasn't been the most dominant reliever in baseball like he was a few years ago, but he will still find himself getting a lot of attention. Maybe this is just me showing my fandom, but I think the Toronto Blue Jays would be a perfect fit for Jansen. The Jays have a need for some more bullpen help and Jansen would be a low-risk signing due to his advanced age.
He would bring World Series experience and a heavy fastball to an ascendant Jays squad. Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro would be wise to pursue a deal.
Seiya Suzuki, OF
The next star coming out of Japan, Suzuki is being chased by many teams and is therefore the hardest free agent to predict where he may go. I expect that at least half the league will be in on the outfielder.
However, I expect that the Chicago Cubs will convince Suzuki to join their team. They clearly have no intention to rebuild and are attempting to find any starpower in free agency. The Cubs’ outfield needs a star to add and Suzuki possesses that in spades. I feel that the Cubs are in a similar position now to what the Angels were when they signed Shohei Ohtani. This would be a statement signing for a club looking to establish themselves in the NL Central.
Carlos Rodon, LHP
Carlos Rodon (Ron Vesely, Getty Images)
An incredible season in 2021, encapsulated by a brilliant no-hitter early in the year, will lead to Carlos Rodon getting paid by some team. He dealt with some injury woes at times, but as a left-handed pitcher who would be a perfect number 2 pitcher on a contender, his market will be plentiful.
I can see the Angels, the Mets or the Dodgers swooping in for Rodon, but ultimately, I think that Rodon will stay with the Chicago White Sox, at least on a short-term deal. He gives them a good option behind Lucas Giolito in their rotation.
Clayton Kershaw, LHP
Though a departure from his current team is possible, I'm fully expecting the Los Angeles Dodgers to hold on to their longtime star.
Like with Freddie Freeman, it simply would be strange to see Kershaw anywhere else. He hasn't been as dominant as we know he can be in recent years, but he is still a top-tier pitcher. The Dodgers have an uncertain future in the pitching staff department, particularly with Trevor Bauer, so Kershow would fill in a need in their rotation.
It just makes sense.
Michael Conforto, OF
A poor performance last season from Conforto likely impacted his market, but due to his historic production, a team in need of outfield help could do much worse than the former Met.
After watching their division opponents make big moves in the last few offseasons, a team like the Milwaukee Brewers should be in on Conforto on a prove-it deal. He would add a different dimension to their outfield and give them a really good bat to pair with their stars.
In a competitive division, the Brewers need to go all out in the free agency market. A statement signing like Conforto could be helpful in establishing Craig Counsell’s team as a World Series threat.
Kyle Schwarber, DH/LF/1B
Kyle Schwarber (Billie Weiss, Getty Images)
If the universal designated hitter is eventually implemented when the new CBA is signed, Schwarber's value will increase mightily. If they don't get Carlos Correa, the Boston Red Sox will likely keep Schwarber. However, in my alternate universe in which the Sox do get the star shortstop, I could see Schwarber signing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
After an MVP season for Bryce Harper last season and with the universal DH likely to be implemented, I could see an aggressive free agency signing for a good bat like Schwarber. There will be a fierce competition for his signature, but I feel that the Phillies are right there.
Nelson Cruz, DH
Cruz continues to age like fine wine, continuously hitting for power even into his early 40s. His bat is perfect for a young team on the rise in need of a clean-up hitter and I feel that the Seattle Mariners, Cruz's former team, would be a great fit.
The signing of AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray indicates that Seattle are ready to compete and Cruz would be a solid, low-risk, high-reward signing for the Mariners. He should be able to hit 30 homers and drive in a lot of runs in that talented Mariners lineup.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
I really can only see one destination for Rizzo. I expect him to return to the New York Yankees, as he is a really good fit in their team. He didn't excel at Yankee Stadium, but he has too much power to not bounce back.
The Yankees need some more left-handed hitting in the team and Rizzo pairs that with veteran experience and middling defense.
The AL East is expected to be very competitive again, so the Yankees need all the help they can get to keep pace with the other elite teams in the division.
Yusei Kikuchi, LHP
Yusei Kikuchi (Rob Leiter, Getty Images)
The New York Mets have already showcased interest in bringing in two top-quality free agent pitchers, so the fact that they have already signed Max Scherzer shouldn't dissuade them from taking a run at Kikuchi.
Owner Steve Cohen's deep pockets will be able to finance this deal and the Mets will be able to add a high-upside southpaw to a team that is starting to look dangerous in a tough NL East division.
Though clubs like the Angels, the Giants and the Dodgers will be in on him, the Mets will be the most desperate to add.
Collin McHugh, RHP
Though the Tampa Bay Rays are always surprising and it wouldn't stun me if they let McHugh go to another team, his multi-inning role in relief for them last year was integral to their success. I simply can't see them letting that go, even though they do have some prospects who are ready to take the next step.
It might just be a 1-year deal, but McHugh will likely resign in Tampa and get another good shot at a World Series title.
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