It feels like Christmas! Baseball is officially back as a new collective bargaining agreement was reached. We’ll still see a full 162 game season and Opening Day is scheduled for April 7th. Now that the lockout is over, free agency is back on. There are still a bunch of big names on the market ready to find their new homes. In this article, we’ll touch base (no pun intended) on some of the league’s top free agents and predict where they may end up. We’re just happy baseball is back!
Carlos Correa
Former Team: Houston Astros
Predictions: New York Yankees
There are few teams in the league that can afford the money that Correa will demand and ultimately draw. The Yankees are obviously one of them and they just so happen to have some holes both offensively and defensively in the middle of the infield. The Yankees do have some nice infield talents in the minors, but if they can land a talent such as Correa, I don’t think they think twice.
Trevor Story
Former Team: Colorado Rockies
Prediction: Houston Astros
I don’t see Trevor Story returning to the struggling Colorado Rockies so he’ll look for a new home via free agency, or I guess, the same home. Story is from just south of Dallas and has made it known that he would not be opposed to playing close to home. I’m predicting that the Astros lose Correa to the Yankees as many do, therefore they’d need a replacement, and Story will draw much less than Correa. Additionally, Story stated he would not settle for a position change, removing teams such as the Texas Rangers who signed Corey Seager prior to the lockout.
Freddie Freeman
Former Team: Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
I don’t see a world where Freddie leaves Atlanta. He seems like the type of guy to leave some money on the table to continue playing for the Braves, especially after claiming a world title. There will be teams such as the Dodgers and Yankees who can throw a bag at him, and rightfully so. I just think his loyalty runs too deep and I believe the Braves will do what it takes to retain his services.
Nick Castellanos
Former Team: Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
As a Phillies fan, this is a bit hopeful for me. Not only that, but it makes a lot of sense. The team currently has just Bryce Harper and Matt Vierling as options in the outfield. They need to bring someone in and Castellanos may be the best outfield free agent out there. He’s fresh off a career year and a lineup consisting of Castellanos, Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins would excite a lot of fans.
Kris Bryant
Former Team: San Francisco Giants
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
Bryant has been linked all over the league since hitting free agency. I’ve even heard rumors that he may return to the Chicago Cubs who traded him as a rental last year to the San Francisco Giants. In the end, I think Seattle gives him a good deal to be their everyday third baseman. Seattle has a nice young crop of players and are trending in the right direction. They are in desperate need of a right handed bat and one that can also play third base would be a jackpot in their eyes.
Michael Conforto
Former Team: New York Mets
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
Michael Conforto will almost certainly not return to the Mets. They essentially had to pick between him and Brandon Nimmo and Nimmo seems to be their guy. The White Sox have a need in right field. He’s also a good left handed power bat, something the White Sox could use more of.
Kyle Schwarber
Former Team: Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers
Kyle Schwarber’s value has just gone up with the National League welcoming the DH officially as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. The Brewers are a team that lacks some pop and Schwarber definitely can bring that. His defense is questionable but suitable to be a plug-and-play outfielder on off-days for starters. But with the DH now league wide, he can make a living swinging the big stick and that’s what he does best.
Anthony Rizzo
Former Team: New York Yankees
Prediction: New York Yankees
The New York Yankees obviously used a rental of Anthony Rizzo a season again from the Chicago Cubs. Now with the former world champion a free agent, they must look to bring him back. The Yankees have a void at first base which led to them getting Rizzo in the first place. With the likes of Freddie Freeman returning to Atlanta in these predictions, Rizzo too will stay put.
Kenley Jensen
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are one of the most electric teams in the league. They’ve done a great job in developing a ton of great young hitters. They need to capitalize on these young studs and build a pitching staff around them. Jensen was once one of the best closers in the game and still has the ability to shut down opposing teams in the ninth. It’ll take some coin, but Jensen should be worth it for a squad like Toronto.
Clayton Kershaw
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
I don’t see Clayton Kershaw leaving town. For one, he will draw a big contract, one that the Dodgers should gladly play for a club legend and someone who is still one of the best in the league. Two, the Dodgers have already lost names such as Seager this offseason, they can’t lose their pitching too.
Carlos Rodon
Former Team: Chicago White Sox
Prediction: New York Yankees
After getting the best overall player left in free agency, the Yankees strike and grab the best starting pitcher (besides Kershaw.) The Yankees are a team that spends, there’s no surprise there. The Yankees have one of the best arms in the game in Cole but the rest of their rotation is nothing to write home about.
Nelson Cruz
Former Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Prediction: San Diego Padres
Again, with the universal DH officially in play, National League teams are scrambling to fill that position. The Padres have a ton of talent up and down their lineup, but don’t have a ton of pop. They were a team linked to Cruz before the Twins traded him to Tampa last year.
Andrew Chafin
Former Team: Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
Chafin is a versatile arm that would be welcome on any team. The Red Sox could use some depth to their rotation. Chafin is the ideal back-end of the rotation guy and could even serve as a number three.
Seiya Suzuki
Former Team: Hiroshima Carp
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox seem like a perfect landing spot for the Japanese star. They’ve been the landing spot for former international players prior and are a big spending team that have the ability to take a risk on a player like Suzuki. On top of that, they could use some outfield help.
Zack Greinke
Former Team: Houston Astros
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies need to add to their pitching staff behind Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler. Greinke is a veteran arm that would be a perfect fit for the team.
Collin McHugh
Former Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
Collin McHugh will see quite the interest as one of the best relievers on the market. A team such as Boston who needs help on the backend of their bullpen makes a lot of sense but so does a team such as Detroit with a bunch of young talent. McHugh would be the highlight of their off-season.
Danny Duffy
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Kansas City Royals
Danny Duffy was sent from the Royals to the Dodgers prior to last season’s trade deadline. The Royals should look to bring back their “homegrown” pitcher though. They’re a team that has to get creative to be successful and bringing back a fan favorite would help. He also won’t be back until sometime in June due to a flexor repair surgery.
Andrew McCutchen
Former Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: Texas Rangers
After being some of the biggest spenders prior to the lockout, the Rangers still have holes to fill. After bringing in the likes of Corey Seager, Marcus Siemen and Jon Gray, who knows how much more money they’re willing to dish out. Bringing in a veteran outfielder who still has some pop in his bat in McCutchen could strike to be a great deal for them.
Eddie Rosario
Former Team: Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
I believe Rosario returns to the Braves. I think his value is the highest with the defending World Series Champions with the way they’re built that roster. I think they do what it takes to retain their guys from last season.
Ryan Tepera
Former Team: Chicago White Sox
Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals
A team that gets the most out of the players, the Cardinals look to bolster their bullpen via free agency. The Cardinals also were linked to Tepera prior to the lockout. It was also reported that Tepera was “intrigued” by the club.
Tommy Pham
Former Team: San Diego Padres
Prediction: Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are a team looking to piece out what they have and get into a full rebuild. Pham is perfect for their plan. A buy low option that would have the ability to show what he can do in Oakland before ultimately getting moved from the team prior to the deadline.
Jonathan Villar
Former Team: New York Mets
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs tore down their club a season ago and now look to rebuild it in a way. They still have some good pieces on their roster and did add Marcus Stroman via free agency before the lockout. Villar could get his chance at being a starting shortstop in Chicago.
Jose Iglesias
Former Team: Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
I think Iglesias played well enough last season to earn a contract and return to the Boston Red Sox.
Odubel Herrera
Former Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
I know I predicted Kris Bryant here as the team’s much needed right handed power bat, but they could definitely use one more. Herrera isn’t the definition of power but he does offer some pop from the right side of the plate.
Yusei Kikuchi
Former Team: Seattle Mariners
Prediction: New York Yankees
The Yankees continue their attempt to boost their rotation behind Cole with the addition of Kikuchi.
Joe Kelly
Former Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
Joe Kelly has expressed that he wants to stay with the Dodgers and I believe that is what will happen.
Kevin Pillar
Former Team: New York Mets
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
I predicted both Nick Castellanos and Zack Grienke to the Phillies and they already added Corey Knebel in December. They have just two outfielders essentially and adding Castellanos is huge but adding depth with Pillar is also big.
Michael Pineda
Former Team: Minnesota Twins
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
As the Cubs look to rebuild, adding veterans such as Villar and now Pineda are a must. Pineda adds a nice veteran arm to their rotation that is nothing great as it sits.
Tyler Anderson
Former Team: Seattle Mariners
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
Tyler Anderson was one of the most important and valuable pre-deadline moves made across the league last year. I think the Mariners need to keep him with the moves they’ve made and are projected to make.
Jorge Soler
Former Team: Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
I already predicted the Braves to attempt to keep as much of their championship team together. Now with the DH, they shouldn’t have an excuse in keeping Soler in town.