The 2021-22 Major League Baseball free agent class is loaded with star-studded shortstops and elite veteran pitchers. With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 2, however, many players are expected to wait to sign after a new deal is reached.
So here’s a guide to my Top 5 free agents and my prediction for likely destinations for each.
Perhaps the greatest villain in the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal is now a free agent. The 27-year-old shortstop is still one of the top players in the game at his position and will make himself a lot of money this offseason. Correa led the Astros to an American League Championship while batting .279 with 26 home runs and 92 RBI.
Many don’t expect the Platinum Glove winner to re-sign with the Astros. It’s likely that Correa remains in the American League with the Tigers as a possibility because former Astros manager A.J. Hinch now works in Detroit. Never count out the New York Yankees for a major signing as well, especially since they need a shortstop.
The biggest knack against Seager is his durability. The Dodgers shortstop played in just 95 games in 2021, and 26 games in 2018. However, his 2020 postseason showed why he’s one of the most talented hitting shortstops in the game. On the way to the World Series two years ago, he smashed seven home runs and torched some of the game’s top pitchers.
It’s likely that the Yankees will land one of the top shortstops on the market, but if it’s not Seager, he could remain with the Dodgers. The Giants and Phillies also make sense for the shortstop entering his prime.
Freeman finally got his ring. The 12-year Atlanta Braves legend helped secure the team’s first World Series win since 1995. The 2020 NL MVP showed no signs of slowing down this year, batting .300 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI in 159 games. His 120 runs also led the league. It’s hard to imagine the Silver Slugger playing for any team outside of Atlanta, but teams will definitely show interest. He’ll likely stay with the Braves.
Scherzer is one of the most intriguing candidates this offseason. As a 37-year-old pitcher, it’s hard to imagine him getting a long-term deal. However, he might be an anomaly.
He is still as dominant as ever and posted a 2.46 earned run average behind a 15-4 record with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals. His WHIP also led the National League. With the Los Angeles Angels signing Noah Syndergaard, that likely takes them out of the Scherzer sweepstakes. He could also team up with Dusty Baker in Houston or Gerrit Cole in New York, but those both seem unlikely compared to him re-signing with the Dodgers.
Three years ago, the thought of Semien being one of the most sought-after free agents would have been laughable. The middle infielder had never made an All-Star game, won a Gold Glove or been in the running for an MVP.
Now, he’s done all three.
His breakout season came with the Oakland A’s in 2019 when he hit a career-high 33 home runs and finished third in MVP voting. In 2021, he outdid himself, hitting 45 home runs while playing in all 162 games for the Toronto Blue Jays. He also stole 15 bases.
Semien’s landing destination is hard to predict. As one of the more under-the-radar stars, he could go undervalued, but he’s now proven himself in two different seasons. If the Blue Jays want to keep their powerful lineup together, he could re-sign, but it’s likely he finds a home elsewhere.
Max Baker can be reached at max@chathamnr.com and @maxbaker_15.