MLB Free Agent Frenzy Set To Begin And Center Around Carlos Correa

Let the signings begin. Again.

When Major League Baseball lifted its lockout of the Major League Baseball Players Association on Thursday night, it also ended the sport’s transaction freeze. MLB teams could not make moves involving 40-man rosters, including signing free agents, once the lockout was imposed Dec. 2.

Now teams will scramble to sign many of the 138 free agents still on the market with spring training camps set to open and the revised opening day set for April 7.

The top two remaining free agents are shortstop Carlos Correa and first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Correa is said to be seeking a deal commensurate to the 10 years and $341 million that close friend and fellow Puerto Rican shortstop Francisco Lindor got from the New York Mets last year.

The 27-year-old Correa has spent his entire seven-year career with the Houston Astros and is a two-time All-Star. He is coming off a strong 2021 season when he hit .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs in 148 games while finishing fifth in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.

Despite his strong resume, there aren’t a lot of natural fits for Correa.

The Los Angeles Dodgers could sign Correa after losing shortstop Corey Seager to the Texas Rangers in free agency. However, the Dodgers say they plan to move Trea Turner, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals last July, from second base back to his natural position of shortstop.

The New York Yankees shifted Gleyber Torres from shortstop to second base last season. However, the Yankees insist their long-term plan is to have one of two prospects, Oswald Peraza or Anthony Volpe, eventually take over at shortstop.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been bandied as possible Correa suitors in the rumor mill, but it seems doubtful they would move Bo Bichette, an emerging superstar at age 24, off shortstop.

The Detroit Tigers signed free agent shortstop Javier Baez to a six-year, $140-million contract before the lockout. However, the Tigers have plenty of money to spend and could make a play for Correa and play Baez at second base.

Likewise, the Boston Red Sox could move shortstop Xander Bogaerts to second base to open a spot for Correa. The Seattle Mariners could do the same with their shortstop, J.P. Crawford.

Losing Baez leaves a big hole at shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, who have a lot of money after gutting much of their roster last year. Perhaps the Cubs could use some of the payroll cleared from the books on Correa.

Complicating Correa’s market is that another star shortstop, Trevor Story, is also a free agent. Another two-time All-Star, Story hit .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 142 games for the Colorado Rockies last season.

It seemed certain Freeman would re-sign with the Atlanta Braves after leading them to the World Series title last season and spending his entire 15-year professional career in the organization. However, the sides were unable to strike a deal before the lockout.

The Yankees, Dodgers and Blue Jays are all potential fits for Freeman, who had a .300/.393/.503 line in 159 games in 2021 while belting 31 homers.

The Yankees have the most glaring need of the three for a first baseman and his left-handed stroke would seemingly be a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium. With the universal designated hitter now in effect, the Dodgers could shift first baseman Max Muncy to that spot and the Blue Jays could follow the same path with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The low-budget Tampa Bay Rays also reportedly made an offer to Freeman in November, though it would be a surprise if he landed with them.

The universal DH also should theoretically widen the possibilities for Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Nelson Cruz. Castellanos hit .309/.362/.576 with 34 home runs in 138 games for the Cincinnati Reds last season, Schwarber batted .266/.374/544 combined with 32 homers in 113 games for the Nationals and Red Sox and the 41-year-old Cruz hit .265/.334/.497 with a combined 32 longballs in 140 games for the Minnesota Twins and Rays.

With many teams carrying 13 pitchers on their rosters, benches are shorter, and a premium has been placed on versatility. That makes Kris Bryant very valuable.

Bryant spent last season with the Cubs and San Francisco Giants and made 47 starts at third base, 35 in left field, 33 in right field, 13 in center field and 10 at first base. He also hit .265/.353/.481 with 25 homers and 10 steals in 144 games.

Perhaps the most interesting pitcher left on the market is left-hander Clayton Kershaw. It has been generally assumed that the three-time Cy Young Award winner will either stay with the Dodgers, sign with his hometown Rangers or retire after going 10-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 22 starts in 2021.

However, the Mets showed interest in the 33-year-old before the lockout and owner Steve Cohen is willing to push his payroll to $300 million or beyond, which would be an MLB record.

After finishing fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2021, lefty Carlos Rodon also remains unsigned. The 29-year-old was 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA in 24 starts for the Chicago White Sox last season, striking out 185 in 132 2/3 innings.