By: Kelly Byrnes
The Hot Stove season is here but the CBA is looming largely over the heads of everyone in the industry. Which is a shame because the Free Agent class this off-season has some great names especially at the SS position, Seager, Correa, Baez, Story. It sounds like people think we’ll have a busy November leading up until December 1st when the current CBA ends then several weeks of some sort of hold out then once an agreement is come to things will heat up before pitchers and catchers start to report. So buckle up we’re in for a wild ride this Hot Stove season.
Corey Seager (Dodgers)
To me Seager seems like a Dodger lifer but I am a Dodger fan. The Dodgers have several free agents (Seager, Kershaw, Taylor, Jansen, Scherzer) and they can’t pay them all. If Seager does bolt at least they have Trea Turner to man SS in 2022 but I still think they pay up for Seager. It does sound like the Yankees will be putting on the full court press for Seager.
Marcus Semien (Mariners)
Perfect fit for Seattle. They need a second baseman and they need to add some thump. Semien checks both of those boxes. It sounds like Semien prefers to play on the West Coast which is obviously good for the Mariners. Semien is a natural SS but signed with the Blue Jays last off-season to play second base and it paid off big time. He broke the record for HR’s hit by a second baseman and he won a Gold Glove. He is going to cash it nice off-season. Other fits could be Phillies or White Sox.
Max Scherzer (Cardinals)
The Dodgers have the inside track on Scherzer but I don’t think they’re able to re-sign him. Scherzer is going into his age 37 season so he’s probably looking for at least a 3-year contract and we know he wants to pitch for a winner. If I’m any free agent pitcher this off-season I would be heading for St. Louis. Who wouldn’t want to pitch for a team with 5 Gold Glove winners? Other fits could be Astros or Yankees.
Marcus Stroman (Angels)
Every offseason for the last several years all we hear is that the Angels need pitching and every year they address other needs. Well, how has that worked out for them, they haven’t made the postseason since 2014 and haven’t won a postseason game since 2009. Is this the year they finally give in to pressure and add starting pitching? They have lots of options and I think Stroman is their best option. Other fits could be Twins or Dodgers.
Kyle Schwarber (Rockies)
Who wouldn’t want to see hit Schwarber hit at Coors Field in Colorado? For this to happen the DH will need to be adopted by the NL since the Rockies have C.J. Cron at first base. Nobody and I mean nobody wants to see Schwarber play RF in that spacious outfield in Colorado. Another fit could be the Blue Jays.
Carlos Rodon (Giants)
Rumor is that Rodon is looking for a multi-year contract which shouldn’t be a surprise. The problem is he didn’t finish the year healthy but before that he was in the running for the Cy Young. He may be a bit spendy for the Giants but if they aren’t able to re-sign Gausman they will need to replace him. Other fits could be Braves or Red Sox.
Michael Conforto (Guardians)
First of all, it felt really weird to type, Guardians. I would imagine Conforto signs a 1-year deal to re-establish his market for next off-season but then why didn’t he just accept the QO from the Mets. He’s a slightly above average OF on defense with a lot of potential in his bat. The Guardians (still weird) need help in the outfield as they have for years. Other fits could be Marlins or Phillies.
Kyle Seager (Blue Jays)
I always said if Seager wasn’t in Seattle he probably would have loved to play with the Rangers, he always killed them while they played in Texas. They’re in a new stadium now so I don’t think that happens. Blue Jays would be a good fit for Seager, he deserves to play for winner and they are headed in the right direction. Seager hit free agency at the right time as there isn’t a lot of available third base options this off-season. Other fits could be Phillies or Mets.
Hot Stove Free Agent Predictions Part 2
Hot Stove Free Agent Predictions Part 3