The 2021 MLB season was filled with excitement, controversy, and was finished with an unexpected 88-win World Series Champion. This year’s MLB free agent class is stacked which offers an opportunity for losing teams to break the bank and try to upstart their franchise. That is where we will start off.
· Carlos Correa – Detroit Tigers ; 10 years, $300 million
The Tigers have been at the bottom of the year for quite some time now. They are one of the youngest teams in the league but have some blossoming young players and have shown they can get on track towards competing this past year. Their manager, AJ Hinch is Correa’s old manager from his Houston years. Over the early years of Correa’s contract I would not be surprised to see the Tigers acquiring All-Star level players to pair with Correa.
· Corey Seager – Texas Rangers ; 7 years, $215 million
The Texas Rangers are another team that has consistently been in last place in the MLB. The Rangers should be willing to do whatever they can to attract free agents because they are in for many, many more years of losing if they don’t start making moves. Sure the Rangers have one of the best farm systems in baseball, but you don’t want to rely on your prospects developing into stars. Look for Texas to be aggressive in free agency this winter.
· Trevor Story – Houston Astros ; 6 year $150 million
Recently, the Astros offered Carlos Correa a 5 year, $160 million contract. That is the equivalent of waving the white flag to surrender. That offer is probably laughable to Correa and his agent (but not to the average person). Correa is expected to demand $300 million or more in free agency, and he will get that. Trevor Story would gladly accept that offer to Correa and happens to be the perfect replacement. If the Astros want to spend $150-$170 million on a shortstop, Story is the guy. With, or without Story/Correa the Astros will still be the AL West favorites.
· Freddie Freeman – Re-signs with Atlanta Braves ; 6 year, $170 million
In the last four years of Freeman’s career he has won the Gold Glove Award (2018), Silver Slugger Award (2019), National League MVP (2020), and a World Series Championship (2021). It is time to pay this man, Atlanta. Freeman has earned every right to break the brinks truck and it would be a shame to see the Braves not reward him.
· Max Scherzer – Los Angeles Angels ; 3 year, $90 million
The Dodgers went all-in to win the 2021 World Series by trading for Scherzer and Trea Turner during the trade deadline. I would not say it was a bad trade (landed Trea Turner although he is a free agent next season) but it did not necessarily succeed on the Scherzer part. The Dodgers took a gamble on Scherzer closing out the Giants in Game 5 of the NLDS. That gamble hurt them in the long run as it left Scherzer with a dead arm, and unable to pitch in a pivotal Game 6 in the NLCS. Scherzer is expected to test the free agent market, with teams such as the Giants, Angels, Mariners, Padres, and Cardinals in pursuit.
· Kris Bryant – Re-signs with San Francisco Giants ; 5 years, $100 million
Kris Bryant was a tremendous trade deadline acquisition for the Giants. He fit in perfectly with the team and played much better with them than he did his last few seasons with the Cubs. Bryant may never be in his 2016 MVP form again, he is still a top 15, could argue 10, third baseman in the league. Bryant grew up a Giants fan and his favorite player was Barry Bonds. I would be surprised to see Bryant leave, unless a different team has a mind-blowing offer.
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