Way-Too-Early MLB Free-Agency Predictions Post-2022 Trade Deadline
The trade deadline has passed. There are still questions about the future of baseball's biggest stars. Aaron Judge, Dansby Swanson, Trea Turner and Jacob deGrom are all free agents this winter. The players can become free the day after the World Series ends. They can't officially sign a contract with a new team for five days. The rumor mill will be flying during that time.
Contreras is heading toward free agency. He's a 20-homer player when healthy and a good hitter for the position. The Astros will need to address the catching position as Martín Maldonado and Jason Castro are set to become free agents. They recently traded for Christian Vázquez. It could cost them up to $160 million.
Brandon Bell could be traded to San Francisco for Brandon Belt. Bell hit 37 home runs in 2019 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and 27 last year with Washington Nationals. He has a career OPS+ of 123 and is a switch-hitter. If Bell has an outstanding postseason with San Diego, he could earn $60 million.
Bogaerts is expected to opt out of his contract and sign with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals could offer him a contract extension worth $216 million. The team is eyeing a World Series. He would make $90 million over four years.
Chapman has struggled in high-leverage situations with the New York Yankees this season. The Angels' system hasn't produced much high end pitching in recent years. They need to get Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani to the postseason. Chapman would be a good addition to their team.
The Mets are interested in signing Flores. Flores is a utility player who can play first or second base. He has a career .814 OPS and 1.9 WAR. The 31-year-old is expected to sign a two-years contract worth about $15 million.
The Mariners are interested in signing Nimmo. Nimmow is a free agent and has a career OPS of .825 and a lifetime OPS+ of 128. He has improved his outfield defense this season. Kelenic was the centerpiece of the 2018 Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz trade. He is not developing into the power-hitting outfielder the Mariners had hoped for.
The Phillies are looking for a player to play with Bryce Harper. They need to spend money and bring in established talent to compete in the NL East. Bryson Stott is one of their prospects. The team could sign Turner. Harper has said he would like to reunite with his former Nationals teammate.
The Braves let Freddie Freeman walk after they won the World Series last year. Now they are interested in keeping their hometown hero, shortstop Swanson. He has the third highest OPS of all shortstops in the league behind Turner and Bogaerts and the highest WAR at the position (4.7). He recently became an All-Star for the first time.
Cohen wants to re-sign Jacob deGrom. DeGro is a two-time Cy Young Award winner. He has only made two starts this year. The Mets haven't made the playoffs since 2016. If de Grom exercises his opt-out, he will be offered a four-year contract worth $150 million. If not, the Braves fit the bill for a darkhorse contender. They are close to De Gro's DeLand, Florida home. John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux are the team's great pitchers.
The Dodgers will have money coming off the books with David Price, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel and Turner's salaries coming out. They will probably sign the league leader in home runs and OPS, Aaron Judge, from California. The Yankees offered him seven years, $213.5 million. He wants something closer to $36 million AAV. If he hits free agency, the Mets would probably make a generous offer. The Mets outspent the Yankees in the past.
