The 2022 MLB Free Agent class is star studded. From sluggers like Aaron Judge, and Trea Turner to Cy Young’s like Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom. There’s plenty of money to be spent this winter. Where will the MLB’s top Free Agents land? Lets break it down.
Aaron Judge
- Destination: New York Yankees
- Contract: 9y 337.5M
Aaron Judge is the most recognizable Yankee since Derek Jeter, and has catapulted himself into a franchise great. The Yankees would be foolish to let him walk out the door.
Jacob deGrom
- Destination: Texas Rangers
- Contract: 4y 180M
Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in the MLB on a per inning basis, however health has been a huge issue. The Rangers splurge on pitching after spending 500M on their middle infield a year ago.
Trea Turner
- Destination: Philadelphia Phillies
- Contract: 9y 280M
The Phillies have one of the best lineups in baseball but have one clear hole: leadoff hitter. Trea Turner would provide that. Dave Dombrowski has proven he’s willing to spend. Turner has expressed interest in playing on the east coast.
Carlos Correa
- Destination: Minnesota Twins
- Contract: 9y 280M
Carlos Correa stays put in Minnesota. He’s beloved in that clubhouse, is obviously an excellent player, and provides invaluable postseason experience and leadership.
Justin Verlander
- Destination: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Contract: 3y 135M
Dodgers have a lot of money coming off the books, and splurge on one of the biggest fish. Justin Verlander heads out west after winning his 3rd Cy Young.
Carlos Rodòn
- Destination: New York Mets
- Contract: 5y 167.5M
After losing Jacob deGrom, the Mets spend big to replace him. Carlos Rodòn gets rewarded for a career year.
Xander Bogaerts
- Destination: St. Louis Cardinals
- Contract: 8y 228M
St. Louis needs a shortstop, Xander Bogaerts is a good fit. An elite table setter for MVP finalists Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.
Brandon Nimmo
- Destination: Toronto Blue Jays
- Contract: 6y 138M
After dealing Teoscar Hernández, the Jays have an opening in their outfield. The team needs more lefty bats, and seem to prefer to move George Springer to RF. Nimmo is a perfect fit.
Dansby Swanson
- Destination: Chicago Cubs
- Contract: 7y 184M
After a career year in Atlanta, Swanson gets paid. Chicago was in on the top shortstops last year, and that appears to be the case once again. They reel in a 25-year-old building block.
Kodai Senga
- Destination: San Diego Padres
- Contract: 5y 72M
The Padres take a chance on Japanese flamethrower Kodai Senga to sure up their rotation. An opportunity for Senga to learn from another Japanese phenom in Yu Darvish.
José Abreu
- Destination: Chicago White Sox
- Contract: 3y 66M
José Abreu has posted an outstanding 134 OPS+ since coming over from Cuba. He looks to continue his success in Chicago.
Willson Contreras
- Destination: New York Mets
- Contract: 4y 86M
The Mets went after Contreras at the deadline, but fell short. This time they get it done. New York gets one of the best catchers in baseball, that can also mentor top prospect Francisco Alvarez.
Chris Bassitt
- Destination: St. Louis Cardinals
- Contract: 3y 64M
Chris Bassitt has proven to be very reliable, posting a 3.29 ERA over his last 593.2 innings. The Cardinals get some much needed rotation depth.
Josh Bell
- Destination: San Francisco Giants
- Contract: 3y 48M
The Giants lineup desperately needs some punch. They get some in the form of switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell.
Jurickson Profar
- Destination: San Diego Padres
- Contract: 4y 48M
After a nice season in San Diego, Profar stays put. Solid switch-hitter, and a plus defender.
Jameson Taillon
- Destination: San Francisco Giants
- Contract: 3y 42M
Solid arm to solidify San Francisco’s rotation.
Masataka Yoshida
- Destination: New York Yankees
- Contract: 5y 65M
The Yankees need a left fielder and a leadoff hitter. Masataka Yoshida is just that, all while providing more upside than someone like Andrew Benintendi.
J.D. Martinez
- Destination: New York Mets
- Contract: 2y 28.5M
Middle of the lineup bat for the Mets, can split DH duties with Daniel Vogelbach.
Taijuan Walker
- Destination: New York Mets
- Contract: 4y 60M
Taijuan Walker stays put in Queens, after a successful first two seasons in a Mets uniform.
Kenley Jansen
- Destination: San Francisco Giants
- Contract: 1y 14.5M
One of the best closers of the past decade heads back out west to pitch for a former rival.
Andrew Benintendi
- Destination: Texas Rangers
- Contract: 4y 54M
A solid top of the lineup table setter for Texas’ sluggers. Plays a solid left field as well.
Brandon Drury
- Destination: San Francisco Giants
- Contract: 2y 18M
Coming off a career year, Brandon Drury heads to San Francisco to replace Evan Longoria.
Others:
- Noah Syndergaard: Toronto Blue Jays
- Cody Bellinger: New York Mets
- Michael Conforto: Chicago White Sox
- Christian Vazquez: Boston Red Sox
- Adam Ottavino: Philadelphia Phillies
- Jose Quintana: Cleveland Guardians
- Zach Eflin: Texas Rangers
- Sean Manaea: Seattle Mariners
- Nathan Eovaldi: New York Yankees
- Trey Mancini: Baltimore Orioles
- Kevin Kiermaier: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Tommy Pham: Boston Red Sox
- Andrew Chafin: New York Yankees
- Joey Gallo: Colorado Rockies
- Taylor Rogers: Houston Astros
- Johnny Cueto: Chicago White Sox
- Mike Zunino: St. Louis Cardinals
- Seth Lugo: Philadelphia Phillies
- Chad Green: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Zack Greinke: Kansas City Royals
- AJ Pollock: Milwaukee Brewers
- Jean Segura: Baltimore Orioles
