FREE AGENT FRENZY

Evan Davis

It’s crazy to think the MLB season is officially over, and boy what a season it was. The MLB postseason was probably the craziest I have ever witnessed. From the Seattle Mariners winning their first postseason series in over 20 years, to two wild card teams making it to the NLCS. But with all that, comes a conclusion that saw the Houston Astros capture another World Series title.

Now the fun begins, as numerous superstars are on the free agent market and could be potentially looking for a new team. So let us take a dive into some potential superstar and let's find them a new home.

Aaron Judge (RF, NYY)

After betting on himself and turning down a 7 year, $213.5 million contract, and breaking the AL home run record, Aaron Judge is officially a free agent. Has he played his last game in the Bronx? Well after fans booed him due to his poor performance in the playoffs, I sure as heck see him moving from the East Coast to the West Coast.

This team has made it very clear they will give Aaron Judge a blank cheque, and with him growing up not too far from the area, it seems almost inevitable he signs. Similar to Freddie Freeman last year with the Dodgers, I predict Aaron Judge heads to the San Francisco Giants and signs a 10 year, $350 million deal to head back home. I know this contract sounds crazy, but the Giants said they’d do anything to get Aaron Judge on their team.

Trea Turner (SS, LAD)

The second best free agent available after Aaron Judge, Trea Turner is without question the best contact hitter in baseball. The 29 year old Shortstop is one of the fastest players in the MLB, and in my opinion, the best at his position. He is a career .302 hitter and has eclipsed 20+ stolen bases in each of his last 3 seasons.

Now he has made it clear that he would like to head back to the East Coast, as he even made that suggestion during his trade talks back in 2021 when he was dealt to the Dodgers. I do believe he heads to the East Coast and joins a team who could really use an every day Shortstop.

He would fit beautifully into this lineup and could make this team as dangerous as the Braves, Mets and Dodgers on offense. Ladies and gentlemen, I predict Trea Turner heads to the Philadelphia Phillies and signs a 8 year/$300 million deal, which would give him $37.5 million annually.

Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL)

In my opinion the second best Shortstop on the market, it is weird to think Swanson hasn’t been signed yet given the fact the Braves are excellent at locking up young talent. I’m curious to see how the Braves handle the free agent market with Swason. He is from Georgia, so I could only imagine he would love to stay with the Braves for a long time, but appears as though he is exploring his options.

He is one of the elite Shortstops in our game who always finds a way to elevate his play come postseason time. I predict he takes over from Trea Turner in Los Angeles, joins his buddy Freddie Freeman, and comes to the Dodgers on a 8 year, $250 million contract. This would pay him roughly $31 million annually.

Carlos Rodon (SP, SF)

Carlos Rodon has expectedly opted out of the second year of his contract, and is officially a free agent. I don’t see an avenue that has him returning to the Giants, but I do see him staying in the National League. This team is starving for a legitimate ace and has the capabilities of making it to the World Series, in fact, they have two NL MVP candidates on their roster.

In case you haven’t guessed it, I believe Carlos Rodon is joining the St. Louis Cardinals on a 3 year, $60 million contract. They have Jordan Montgomery, Miles Mikolas, Adam Wainwright and now they can add a true superstar Pitcher in Carlos Rodon who finished last season with a 14-8 record with 237 K’s and a 2.88 ERA.

Jacob DeGrom (SP, NYM)

After opting out of his contract that would pay him roughly $36 million this upcoming season, the 34 year old Jacob DeGrom is searching for what could be his final big payday. I really don’t know what to expect from the market in regards to Jacob DeGrom. Yes, I know he is a sensational talent, but he is also very injury prone.

He has only made 26 starts in his last two seasons, which isn’t very encouraging especially if this guy wants to make $40 million a year. I also just don’t know how long a team is willing to commit to him, remember he is 34 years old, he is definitely not getting a 4-5 year deal anywhere in my eyes. I could really only see him returning to the Mets on a 3 year, $100 million contract.

Carlos Correa (SS, MIN)

Carlos Correa has opted out of the final two years of his deal with the Minnesota Twins and has officially hit the free agent market. There are a ton of SS free agents on the market who had better seasons than Correa, so I am curious to see what his specific market is like.

I can see him being one of the final SS free agents to sign a deal since I have Swanson, Turner and Bogaerts as better options heading into next season. If Swanson does indeed leave the Braves, I could see Correa taking over there, but my official prediction is Carlos Correa heads to the Bronx and signs a 3 year, $100 million contract with the Yankees.

Anthony Rizzo (1B, NYY)

Anthony Rizzo has opted out of the final year of his contract that was going to pay him $16 million and is headed to the free agent market. A lot of contenders are in need of a power hitting first baseman and I think I found the perfect spot for him.

The Milwaukee Brewers are in desperate need of some offense and this move will allow for them to move Rowdy Tellez to full time DH. I know the Brewers had a not so good end to the season, but I am not ready to write this team off completely. I see the Brewers giving Anthony Rizzo a 2 year, $45 million contract to come join the Brew Crew next season.