Who are the Best Remaining Free Agents on the Market?

Who are the best remaining free agents on the market, where could they land once the lockout ends, and what could their contracts look like?

© Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Infielders:

1. Freddie Freeman, 1B

To the surprise of most of the league, the reigning World Champion Atlanta Braves were unable to ink their longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman to a deal before the lockout. As talkingchop.com reported on Nov. 14, Freeman rejected the Braves’ initial offer of 5 years for $135 million. The free agent is reportedly seeking a deal closer to $200 million and a projected 6 years, which MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman tweeted on Nov. 30. Not too shabby for a former NL MVP. While he's most likely to land back in Atlanta, the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees are reportedly also interested in the 32-year-old. 

2. Carlos Correa, SS

At the age of 27, Carlos Correa has already racked up an impressive number of accolades: 2015 Rookie of the Year, 2017 World Series Champion, two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove Award, and a Platinum Glove Award. That's why the free agent shortstop is such a hot commodity on the market. Prior to the lockout, Correa reportedly drew interest from the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Braves, per Mark Berman of Houston's Fox 26. Of course, they are all competing with Correa's incumbent Houston Astros, who offered him a five-year, $160 million deal in November. As reported today by Buster Olney, the Detroit Tigers offered Correa a 10-year, $275 million contract, which he turned down, before eventually signing Javier Baez for six years and $140 million. If Corey Seager's 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers is any indication, Correa could be setting his sights on earning a similar, or even pricier contract than that.

3. Trevor Story, SS

Trevor Story is yet another top-tier shortstop who is a free agent this winter. As his relationship with the Colorado Rockies has soured, it's most likely that Story winds up somewhere else following the lockout, although Colorado reportedly remains interested in bringing him back. It was reported before the stoppage that the 29-year-old was drawing interest from the Seattle Mariners, Yankees, Astros, and Red Sox, with Seattle actually making an official offer. There were also multiple reports of Story returning home to his native state of Texas in signing with the Rangers, but after inking Seager and Marcus Semien to deals, that seems to be out of the picture.

Outfielders:

1. Nick Castellanos, RF

Perhaps the top free agent outfielder still on the market is that of Nick Castellanos. The right fielder opted out of his four-year, $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the offseason, with two years and $34 million still remaining on the deal. Castellanos has been projected to earn a seven or eight year deal for about $150 million, with his potential landing spots being the Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants, or Philadelphia Phillies, who were all reported as being interested before the transaction freeze. 

2. Kris Bryant, 1B, 3B, OF

Kris Bryant is primarily an infielder, but for the purposes of this article, he's an outfielder. And his versatility on the field is why he's still one of the top free agents on the market. The former NL MVP was reported to have many suitors prior to the lockout, including the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Phillies, Mariners, Astros, and Rockies. Bryant was acquired by the Giants at the July trade deadline, but he is unlikely to be retained by the club. MLB Trade Rumors projected a six-year, $160 million contract for the 29-year-old, with an average annual value of $26.67 million.

3. Kyle Schwarber, LF

Kyle Schwarber was another player on the move at the 2021 deadline, being traded from the Washington Nationals to the Red Sox. While Boston remains interested in retaining Schwarber, the 28-year-old slugger has been linked to a multitude of teams, including the Phillies, Marlins, and Rockies. The Phillies were allegedly close to inking a deal with the 2021 All-Star, but were unable to get it done before the lockout. While Philadelphia remains an attractive landing spot for Schwarber following the resumption of free agent signings, nothing is guaranteed. 

Starters:

1. Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodón may be one of the most underrated free agents left on the market. Rodón had a successful 2021 with the Chicago White Sox, even pitching a no-hitter on April 14. He was named an All-Star for his pitching performance in the first-half, and finished fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting. Some potential landing spots for the southpaw include the Red Sox, Angels, Astros, Yankees, or Detroit Tigers. The 28-year-old could see a long-term deal this winter, but even in a shorter contract, his AAV could approach 10 times the $3 million he's making this season.

2. Clayton Kershaw

While it's difficult to imagine Clayton Kershaw representing any other team besides the Dodgers, the 33-year-old is still a free agent. Heyman suggested on the "Big Time Baseball" podcast that the Dodgers and Rangers are the only options for Kershaw in free agency, adding "assuming he doesn't retire." Los Angeles elected to not extend the $18.4 million qualifying offer to Kershaw out of the respect for the left-hander, as it likely would have impacted his market and it allows him to take his time in decided, while also keeping his family in mind. 

3. Zack Greinke

At 38-years-old, Zack Greinke isn't the most attractive free agent candidate, but the former Cy Young Award winner and six-time All-Star could still see a decent payday due to his impressive track record. 37-year-old Max Scherzer just signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the Mets, after all. Speaking of Scherzer, he hit the 3,000 strikeout milestone in 2021, and in 2022, Greinke could join him, as the right-hander currently has 2,809. Either way, he would be a solid addition to any rotation as he's made at least 25 starts and thrown at least 150 innings in 13 consecutive full seasons, and struck out at least 100 batters in all 16 full seasons of his career.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

• How The Pre-Lockout Spending Spree Could Impact Negotiations
• MLB and MLBPA Unlikely to Meet on Big Items Until January
• Predicting the NL East Following Historic Spending Spree

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