Top 5 MLB Free Agents 2022
Predicting the Future of the Top 5 MLB Free Agents
Completely ignoring the inevitable lockout that looms over the start of next season, here are my top 5 free agents for this offseason.
5. Nicholas Castellanos, OF
2021 Season: 34 HR, 100 RBI, .309/.362/.576
Castellanos has already declined the Reds qualifying offer, so we know he’s on the move. While connected to a few NL teams like the Brewers and Mets, I feel a change of leagues would better suit the hitting-first outfielder. I could see a move to a big market team for Castellanos, so a move to the Yankees would not come as a surprise. With the Yankees currently sitting at (+1000) to win the World Series according to BetMGM, expect that number to lower drastically with the addition of a player like Castellanos.
4. Max Scherzer, SP
2021 Season: 15-4, 2.46 ERA, 238 K
I can see Scherzer staying in LA, but the real question is: will he be wearing red or gray? With the Angels reportedly not wanting to waste any more of Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani’s time, I can see them making a serious push for the future hall of famer. With the addition of Scherzer the Angels would immediately become a World Series contender, and seeing as they are sitting at +4000 to win it all, it may not be a bad investment.
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
2021 Season: 31 HR, 83 RBI, .300/.393/.503
Freddie Freeman would honestly be first on this list if I wasn’t so sure he won’t leave Atlanta. The entire city loves Freeman, and the organization would be foolish to let him walk. He’s exactly what they have been looking for since Chipper Jones left, so I can see him signing a monster contract to remain with the Braves.
2. Corey Seager, SS
2021 Season: 16 HR, 57 RBI, .306/.394/.521 (92 G)
While he may not be the best fielding shortstop on the market, Seager is the one that provides the most offensive potential in this free agency class. With the addition of Trae Turner at last season’s trade deadline, I don’t see the Dodgers offering Seager the 10-year deal he is most likely looking for. There are small chatterings out there that the Cubs may be interested in, and seeing how they just had a fire-sale last season I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a push for last year’s World Series MVP.
1. Carlos Correa, SS
2021 Season: 26 HR, 92 RBI, .279/.366/.485
This year’s platinum glove winner, Correa finds himself at the top of my free-agent rankings. Already admitting he wants to leave Houston, Correa is suspected to reunite with his former manager AJ Hinch in Detroit, but I see this going in a different direction. Correa is a strong left-handed hitter who has incredible superstar potential that makes for exciting in-game live MLB betting -- if that doesn’t scream Yankees, then I don’t know what does.
