Fans who used to update their hot stoves every day for three months are now stuck in limbo.
This is about to change. The lockout was halted by players who voted to have reach an agreement with Major League Baseball to end the lockout. This ended a 99-day stoppage of work and an accompanying roster freeze, which left Carlos Correa (and Freddie Freeman) among the 138 free agents in limbo.
It is hard to imagine that anything could compete with the record-breaking $1.4 billion club spending sprees before the lockout.
However, Kris Bryant and Clayton Kershaw are among the many who still have no home for 2022 or beyond. Expect another buzz when MLB officially lifts its transaction freeze as soon as Thursday night.
MLB called the league’s general mangers Thursday to go over the rules of free agency.
“When that call ends,” said Arizona Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall, “the frenzy starts.”
Here are some things to watch out for when this happens:
IN SHORT SUPPLY
This year’s free agent class featured a star shortstop quintet. However, three of them were removed from the board prior to the work stoppage. Semien and Seager went to the Texas Rangers and Javier Baez signed for the Detroit Tigers.
Trevor Story and Correa are still available, while Andrelton Simmons is also available for those who might be interested.
Correa was the AL Rookie of the year in 2015 and a two-time All-Star. He is sure to be the player who gets the best deal of all the players that leave this spring. Correa, 27, batted.279 and had 26 homers, two RBIs, and an OPS of.850 for Houston in 2021. Perhaps this will ease some concerns about his durability. He played 148 games, his first time playing at least 111 games since 2016.
Correa has two targets: Seager’s 10-year, $325 million deal with the Mets was the largest this offseason. Francisco Lindor’s 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets is the record payday of a shortstop.
Correa is searching for an infielder to help his team. The Yankees are the most notable club without a shortstop.
Brian Cashman, the New York general manager, has heaped praises on Correa. He stated in November that Houston’s sign-stealing scandal had “not going to enter” his calculus and that Correa was “clearly unafraid.”
Story, 29, has had six great seasons with Colorado Rockies. He hit.251 with 24 homers in 2021 and 75 RBIs in 2021. Story surprisingly stayed in Denver the entire season and was not traded to a rival. Baez’s six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit could be his equivalent.
Simmons won the 2018 Gold Gloves and he batted just.223 for Minnesota, with three homers.
BRAVES OR NEW WORLD?
Freeman is still a free agent, despite the apparent close ties he has with the World Series champion Braves. After another All-Star season, the 2020 MVP hit.300 with 31 homers and 83 RBIs. He also had a.896 OPS.
The 32-year old was drafted by Atlanta in 2007. He seems like a great candidate to be a Brave for the rest of his life, following in the footsteps of mentor Chipper Jones. It’s easy to imagine every team in the big market trying to get him.
UNIVERSAL DEMAND
As part of the new CBA the National League will adopt the designated hitter permanently. Many players would be better off waiting to sign until the change is finalized.
Nick Castellanos should be the most lucrative of the group. The 29-year old hit.309 with 34 homers, 100 RBIs, and for Cincinnati in 2021. However, his outfield defense is not great.
Nelson Cruz had a difficult year after being traded to Tampa Bay in the middle of last season. However, the 41-year old still hit 32 home runs and should be offered an everyday job. Jorge Soler, World Series MVP, is still available.
FANCY IMPORT
Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki was posted Nov. 22 by Hiroshima Toya Carp. His 30-day window to sign for a major league team was closed by the shutdown. He will have 20 days to sign a contract. In November, Joel Wolfe, agent, told Japanese media that eight to fifteen teams had expressed interest.
HOME ON THE RANGE
Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner has not committed to a reunion at the Los Angeles Dodgers. There’s also speculation that he might want to move closer to Dallas by joining the Rangers. As a courtesy, the Dodgers declined to make a qualifying offer to Kershaw, 33 years old. Texas wouldn’t have to give up a draft pick in order to sign the left-hander.
TRADE MARKET
Trades were also put off during the freeze. However, front offices had plenty of time to make headline-worthy deals over the months. It is possible that Oakland might look to move star infielders Matt Chapman or Matt Olson to save money. The White Sox may also consider moving reliever Craig Kimbrell, with Liam Hendricks still locked into the closer’s position. Cincinnati’s two-time All Star Sonny Gray might be an option for teams looking to start pitching.
BEST OF THE REST
Bryant’s versatility meant that he could be on any roster. He played 19 games in centerfield and more in the outfield last season than he did at third base. … LHP Carlos Rodon did not receive a qualifying offer by the White Sox despite being fifth in AL Cy Young voting for 2021.
