25. Brandon Belt, First Baseman
The thinking is that San Francisco will pick up the club option on Buster Posey, and SS Brandon Crawford will be back at a $16 million price tag. Thus, the Giants might have a decision to make on whether Belt’s future is in San Francisco. A late 2021 thumb injury hindered Belt, who set a career high with 29 home runs in 97 regular-season contests. At 33, age is obviously a factor. It’s hard to imagine Belt is getting a long-term deal from anybody. Though his slugging could be helpful for a lot of teams.
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24. Eduardo Escobar, Infielder
The Brewers went out and acquired Escobar midseason for his positional flexibility and switch-hitting pop. Escobar has recorded at least four seasons with 21 or more home runs. He’s a versatile performer who is capable of playing four infield spots if needed. It would seem the Brewers, who acquired him from Arizona near the 2021 trade deadline, reportedly want to make a play to keep Escobar in town. That would certainly by a popular move, but Escobar’s versatility makes him a top “value” commodity throughout the league.
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23. Nelson Cruz, Designated hitter
At 41, Cruz is in that rent-a-player portion of his career. While retirement is always an option, he hit 32 home runs for Minnesota and Tampa Bay this season, so Cruz still has value as one of the game’s top designated hitters. It would seem unlikely the small-market Rays will re-sign Cruz. Meaning, a one-year deal for another contending AL squad is a serious option. He is one shy of 450 career home runs, and could be approaching 500 by the end of 2022.
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22. Zack Greinke, Starting pitcher
Some of the more intriguing free agent storylines will come out of Houston. With one of baseball’s top shortstops seemingly poised to hit the open the market, the Astros also have two veteran starting pitchers facing free agency. Greinke, a 219-game winner, is one of them. However, he’ll be 38 when the 2022 season starts. Greinke won 11 games this season, but is dealing with a neck issue that makes it likely Houston will pass on bring him back. He hasn’t been named an All-Star since 2019 and boasts a 4.12 ERA over the last two seasons.
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21. Michael Conforto, Outfielder
One of four New York Mets who could be an intriguing free-agent prospect entering the 2020 season. Conforto has played 151 or more games just twice in his seven-year run with the Mets. His best years came from 2017-’19, when he clubbed 88 home runs – 33 in 2019. However, Conforto hit just .232 with 14 homers in 125 games this past season. He also reportedly is not willing to accept a qualifying offer from New York’s NL team. Maybe the Mets are best to move on in this circumstance. When he’s cold, Conforto is a strikeout waiting to happen and a liability in the outfield. Another team could fork over some cash for the lefty power.
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20. Kevin Gausman, Starting pitcher
Yes, Gausman’s overall body of work during the 2021 regular season was special. He set career highs in wins (14), innings (192), strikeouts (227), WHIP (1.04) and ERA (.296). But, Gausman posted a 4.36 ERA in his final 14 starts of the regular season and was roughed up in his 2021 playoff opener. There are also questions as to whether the 30-year-old Gausman’s career is truly on the rise. Still, Gausman is likely to command much attention on the open market if the Giants choose not to bring him back.
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19. Anthony Rizzo, First Baseman
At 32-years-old Rizzo is not going to be getting a long-term deal. In fact, rumors say the former Cub is going to be signing for two years at most. Rizzo had 22 homers and 61 RBIs between the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees last season. While his offense might be on the decline, he’s still a smart hitter and remains solid at first base. He’s made a career out of clutch hits and being a clubhouse leader. Rizzo is said to have enjoyed his brief time in the Bronx, but might also be eager to see where the open market will take him.
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18. Eduardo Rodriguez, Starting pitcher
It took some time, but Rodriguez finally blossomed into an ace-worthy pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He was a 19-game winner in 2019, and has posted 45 victories in his last three seasons. Yes, he missed the 2020 season with a COVID-19-related heart issue, but was solid in 2021. Still, it doesn’t seem like a done deal that the Red Sox will shell out some hefty cash to Rodriguez – especially with Chris Sale back healthy. The lefty starter will draw significant interest around the league.
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17. Chris Taylor, Infielder
The 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded with talent, and four of the biggest names on that roster – or baseball, for that matter – are poised for free agency. Taylor, a career .261 hitter, is one of them. A versatile performer, Taylor will have value, even at 31 years old. He can play everywhere on the diamond and has good wheels with some pop. The question is whether the Dodgers are willing to spend on him when they have one of the game’s best infielders and a couple of future Hall-of-Fame starting pitchers to consider re-signing. Not to mention, reliver Kenley Jansen (350 career saves) could also be a free agent.
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16. Javier Baez, Shortstop
There’s no doubt “El Mago” is one of the most exciting players in the majors. However, he still lacks plate discipline (953 strikeouts in 862 career regular-season games) and could be a liability on the bases and in the field – usually while trying to do too much. That said, Baez batted .368 over his final 24 games of the 2021 season with the New York Mets. New teammate Francisco Lindor wants the Mets to re-sign his buddy Baez. However, New York has some decisions to make with its starting rotation, so that’s where the money could end up going.
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15. Starling Marte, Outfielder
The Oakland A’s aren’t usually keen on signing their late-season rentals from the year prior. That seems like it will continue to be the case for Marte, who between Miami and Oakland, led the majors with 47 stolen bases and posted a 131 OPS+. In 56 games with the A’s, Marte batted .312 with five home runs and 30 RBIs. Throw in his outfield versatility, and that makes Marte an enticing option while testing the free-agent market for the first time in his career.
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14. Carlos Rodon, Starting pitcher
Prior to the 2021 season, Rodon never won more than nine games in any of his six seasons – or, posted an ERA below 3.75. However, the Chicago White Sox left-hander has been one of the biggest surprises of 2021, going 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA with a career-high 185 strikeouts over 24 starts. All that after signing a one-year deal to remain with the White Sox in February. Now, shoulder fatigue plagued Rodon late in the season, and that likely will play a part in where Rodon lands in 2022. Still, the former first-round pick will command plenty of interest following a breakout season.
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13. Clayton Kershaw, Starting pitcher
It would obviously be strange to see Kershaw in a uniform other than that of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, free agency potentially looms for Kershaw, who has won 185 games, struck out 2,670 batters, posted a 2.49 career ERA and won three Cy Young Awards over 14 seasons with the Dodgers. Kershaw admits he’s unsure what his future beyond 2021 holds. Los Angeles obviously has other big-time talent it’s thinking about keeping around, so the reality of Kershaw pitching elsewhere in 2022 is a more than a possibility.
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12. Marcus Stroman, Starting pitcher
The 158 strikeouts and 1.15 WHIP from 2021 is what makes Stroman highly sought after this offseason. He’s an excellent ground ball inducer who also happens to be one of the best athletes at the position. Still, his New York Mets seem to be the favorite to retain the right-hander’s services. He’s made at least 32 starts in each of the last two seasons. The belief is that Stroman has rebounded after a couple of down years in Toronto. The question is whether his 2021 performance can be replicated?
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11. Justin Verlander, Starting pitcher
Verlander’s 2022 destination, and payday, will depend on his health. He will be 39 when the season starts, and if his elbow has healed well enough and the effectiveness is there, Verlander will be coveted. Like Greinke, however, the Houston Astros might not be willing to spend too much to keep him. That said, the team reportedly seems inclined to make Verlander a qualifying offer. This is certainly one free agent drama to keep an eye on.
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10. Robbie Ray, Starting pitcher
Ray settled in nicely during his first full season with Toronto in 2021. He went 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA and set career bests with 248 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP. Still, the belief is that the Blue Jays will allow him to test the free agent waters before negotiating to bring him back. If there’s one darkhorse set for a nice payday, Ray is worth watching. Especially if a serious World Series contender is willing to overpay for him.
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9. Noah Syndergaard, Starting pitcher
Getting those two starts at the end of the 2021 regular season were important for Syndergaard, who was coming off Tommy John surgery. Word is that if the New York Mets made “Thor” a qualifying offer, he would take it. That’s a big if, however. Syndergaard has a career 3.32 ERA, 777 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP over 121 career games, but his health is obviously a concern. If the Mets make it a choice between Syndergaard and the aforementioned Marcus Stroman, things will get very interesting.
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8. Kris Bryant, Third baseman-Outfielder
Bryant felt at peace after being dealt to San Francisco at the 2021 trade deadline. He’s also hinted that he’d consider staying with the Giants beyond the season. Giants will surely be interested in locking down the the 29-year-old former MVP, but at what cost? A .278 hitter with 167 career homers, Bryant might not command the monster salary some thought following his second 30-plus-homer season from 2019. But, Bryant still has a quality bat and his positional versatility should make any investment pay off.
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7. Nick Castellanos, Outfielder
As of late August, reports suggested that Castellanos was likely to opt out of the final two years of his contract with Cincinnati. That would mean Castellanos is headed to free agency. And, he has a strong 2021 campaign boosting his cause. In his second season with the Reds, Castellanos posted career highs with 34 home runs and a .309 average – sixth in the majors. He remains a doubles machine and has managed to stay relatively healthy. It would not surprise if the longtime Detroit Tiger returns to the AL where he could potentially thrive in the designated hitter role.
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6. Marcus Semien, Shortstop
Semien took a gamble that paid off. Instead of signing a long-term this past offseason, the former Oakland A signed with Toronto on a one-year deal. In 2021, Semien set career highs in homers (45), RBIs (102) and stolen bases (15). He’s shown to be one of the best two-way players the game has to offer. Toronto is loaded with young talent. It’s possible we see them get out-bid by a team in desperate need of middle infielders. Either way, Semien is getting paid this offseason because he bet on himself, and it worked.
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5. Freddie Freeman, First Baseman
After 12 seasons in Atlanta, is it finally time for Freeman to branch out and see what free agency has to offer? The 32-year-old Freeman, who’s gotten better with age, has batted .305 with a .946 OPS since the start of the 2016 season. While it would seem weird to see Freeman in a uniform other than that of the Braves, he might owe it to himself to test the market. Especially, since he is still playing at a high level. And, if the Braves aren’t the place for him to win a World Series.
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4. Max Scherzer, Starting pitcher
It would seem current Los Angeles Dodger Max Scherzer will hit the open market. And, even though he went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts for the Dodgers since coming over from Washington this past season, they might not be willing to shell out big cash for a 37-year-old. So, where could Scherzer possibly land? The Yankees are always an option. Or, if he wants to stay in Southern California, why not the Los Angeles Angels?
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3. Trevor Story, Shortstop
It’s still puzzling why Story wasn’t shipped out of Colorado at the 2021 trade deadline. Though he recently claimed returning to the Rockies in 2022 wasn’t out of the question, Story’s future seemingly lies elsewhere. Most likely in a bigger market, and ideally with a club that’s close – or relatively close – to winning a World Series. In his six seasons with the Rockies, Story has batted .272 with 158 home runs, 450 RBIs and posted an .863 OPS. This is Story’s moment, and the next step will prove if he’s worth the money as one of the game’s best overall players.
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2. Corey Seager, Shortstop
The reigning World Series MVP is among the elite shortstops who could be headed to free agency. In seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seager has hit for average (.297 hitter), power (104 home runs) and can get on base (.870 OPS). The Dodgers will be a player, we assume. However, they also have Trea Turner, who is good for another year before becoming a free agent, currently playing second base. Would Los Angeles rather see Turner as its shortstop going forward?
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1. Carlos Correa, Shortstop
There’s no doubt the biggest free-agent drama this offseason will revolve around the Houston shortstop. Through seven seasons with the Astros, Correa is a lifetime .277 hitter with 133 home runs and 489 RBIs. He’s also 27-years-old. Meaning, this will be Correa’s big payday. And, the Astros expect to be among those in contention for his services. If Correa becomes their priority, then Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke are likely gone. With the young arms the Astros currently boast, building around Correa seems like the logical move.
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