As the MLB season wraps up fans will move their attention to the top free agents. So why not take a look at the free agent class a little early.
This year’s class is loaded. Not included in my top five free agents are stud middle infielders Trevor Story and Marcus Semien. Robby Ray will likely win the AL Cy Young and he’s not even the most sought after pitcher this offseason.
This year’s offseason will be fun, but here is where the top free agents are guaranteed to land.
Carlos Correa: Detroit Tigers
Correa is a case of a team with too many mouths to feed. The Astros are very likely to let Correa walk in order to pay other players in the future.
So why the Tigers?
Correa has a relationship with manager AJ Hinch and Detroit has a gaping hole at shortstop. The Tigers showed potential in the second half of this season and could make the move for Correa to show their devotion to creating a winner.
Corey Seager: Philadelphia Phillies
After extension talks before the season broke down, it is clear that Seager is likely to move on in the offseason. The addition of Trae Turner also is a sign of the Dodgers moving on.
Philadelphia has shown a devotion to spending money to make their team better. Didi Gregorius was not great at short for the Phillies this season, and Seager would be a great addition to an already effective lineup.
It feels as if Philadephia can go one of two ways this offseason, and a possible Seager addition could be a sign of things to come for them.
Kris Bryant: New York Mets
After Bryant finishes off his season with San Francisco, he will be a coveted free agent. The Giants will be in position to make a run at Bryant, but Steve Cohen’s pockets are deeper with the Mets.
Expect the Mets to look more different than just about any team next season, and the signing of Bryant could help put them back into postseason contention.
Freddie Freeman: Atlanta Braves
This feels about as safe as any of the predictions. Freeman wants to retire as an Atlanta Brave, and favorable contracts with Acuna and Albies help Atlanta to make a strong offer for their franchise first baseman.
It’s hard to picture Freeman in another uniform, but the New York Yankees would be the wild card team to make a strong offer to Freeman.
Max Scherzer: Chicago White Sox
Scherzer should not demand a massive contract, which puts the White Sox in play here. The White Sox rotation faltered over the second half of the season, and Scherzer could help stabilize their staff.
The White Sox would like to keep their young, talented lineup in tact next season, but Scherzer would only help their already talented pitching staff to improve.
