Notable MLB free agents for 2021-22 offseason
The Astros' Carlos Correa celebrates after driving a solo home run to right field off Athletics relief pitcher Domingo Acevedo in the bottom of the eighth inning of a game, on Oct. 3 in Houston. Credit: AP/Kevin M. Cox
MLB free agency begins five days after the conclusion of the World Series. Plenty of big names could find themselves on new teams for the 2022 season, including Carlos Correa, Max Scherzer, Kris Bryant, Freddie Freeman and Starling Marte.
Among the local teams, the Mets' key free agents include Noah Syndergaard, Javier Baez, Marcus Stroman and Michael Conforto, while the Yankees' big free agents include Anthony Rizzo and Corey Kluber.
Here's a position-by-position look at some of the notable names available in free agency during the 2021-22 MLB offseason.
CATCHER
CATCHER
The Giants' Buster Posey hits a two-run single against the Padres in the third inning of a game in San Francisco on Oct. 3. Credit: AP/John Hefti
Buster Posey*
Age in 2022: 35
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: .304 BA, 18 HR, 56 RBI, .390 OBP
2021 salary: $22.1M
*-team option ($22M)
Yan Gomes
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Nationals/A’s
2021 stats: .252 BA, 14 HR, 52 RBI, .301 OBP
2021 salary: $6M
Mike Zunino*
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Rays
2021 stats: .216 BA, 33 HR, 62 RBI, .301 OBP
2021 salary: $2M
*-team option ($4M)
Tucker Barnhart*
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Reds
2021 stats: .247 BA, 7 HR, 48 RBI, .317 OBP
2021 salary: $4.18M
*-team option ($7.5M)
Christian Vazquez*
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Red Sox
2021 stats: .258 BA, 6 HR, 49 RBI, .308 OBP
2021 salary: $6.25M
*-team option ($7M)
FIRST BASE
FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman of Atlanta follows through on a base hit during the first inning against the Mets at Citi Field on July 28. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Freddie Freeman
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Atlanta
2021 stats: .300 BA, 31 HR, 83 RBI, .393 OBP
2021 salary: $22M
Anthony Rizzo
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Cubs/Yankees
2021 stats: .248 BA, 22 HR, 61 RBI, .344 OBP
2021 salary: $16.5M
Brandon Belt
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: .274 BA, 29 HR, 59 RBI, .378 OBP
2021 salary: $17.2M
Brad Miller
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Phillies
2021 stats: .227 BA, 20 HR, 49 RBI, .321 OBP
2021 salary: $3.5M
Ryan Zimmerman
Age in 2022: 37
2021 team: Nationals
2021 stats: .243 BA, 14 HR, 46 RBI, .286 OBP
2021 salary: $1M
Yuli Gurriel*
Age in 2022: 38
2021 team: Astros
2021 stats: .319 BA, 15 HR, 81 RBI, .383 OBP
2021 salary: $6.5M
*-team option ($8M)
SECOND BASE
SECOND BASE
Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, right, celebrates his home run against Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole with teammate George Springer during the first inning of a game in Toronto on Sept. 29. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
Marcus Semien
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Blue Jays
2021 stats: .265 BA, 45 HR, 102 RBI, .334 OBP
2021 salary: $18M
Josh Harrison
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Nationals/A’s
2021 stats: .279 BA, 8 HR, 60 RBI, .341 OBP
2021 salary: $1M
Leury Garcia
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: White Sox
2021 stats: .267 BA, 5 HR, 54 RBI, .335 OBP
2021 salary: $3.5M
Jonathan Villar
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Mets
2021 stats: .249 BA, 18 HR, 42 RBI, .322 OBP
2021 salary: $3.55M
Donovan Solano
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: .280 BA, 7 HR, 31 RBI, .344 OBP
2021 salary: $3.25M
Cesar Hernandez*
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Cleveland/White Sox
2021 stats: .232 BA, 21 HR, 62 RBI, .308 OBP
2021 salary: $5M
*-team option ($6M)
THIRD BASE
THIRD BASE
Kris Bryant of the Giants follows through on his first inning two run home run against the Mets at Citi Field on Aug. 26. Credit: Getty Images/Jim McIsaac
Kris Bryant
Age in 2022: 30
2021 team: Cubs/Giants
2021 stats: .265 BA, 25 HR, 86 RBI, .353 OBP
2021 salary: $19.5M
Eduardo Escobar
Age in 2022: 33
2021 team: Diamondbacks/Brewers
2021 stats: .253 BA, 28 HR, 90 RBI, .314 OBP
2021 salary: $7.66M
Jose Ramirez*
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Cleveland
2021 stats: .266 BA, 36 HR, 103 RBI, .355 OBP
2021 salary: $9.4M
*-team option ($11M, $2M buyout)
Kyle Seager*
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Mariners
2021 stats: .212 BA, 35 HR, 101 RBI, .285 OBP
2021 salary: $18.5M
*-team option ($15M)
Wilmer Flores*
Age in 2022: 30
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: .262 BA, 18 HR, 53 RBI, .335 OBP
2021 salary: $3M
*-team option ($3.5M)
SHORTSTOP
SHORTSTOP
Javier Baez of the Mets scores a run in the fourth inning against the Marlins at Citi Field on Sept. 30. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Javier Baez
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Cubs/Mets
2021 stats: .265 BA, 31 HR, 87 RBI, .319 OBP
2021 salary: $11.6M
Carlos Correa
Age in 2022: 27
2021 team: Astros
2021 stats: .279 BA, 26 HR, 92 RBI, .366 OBP
2021 salary: $11.7M
Corey Seager
Age in 2022: 28
2021 team: Dodgers
2021 stats: .306 BA, 16 HR, 57 RBI, .394 OBP
2021 salary: $13.75M
Trevor Story
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Rockies
2021 stats: .251, 24 HR, 75 RBI, .329 OBP
2021 salary: $18.5M
Jose Iglesias
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Angels/Red Sox
2021 stats: .271 BA, 9 HR, 48 RBI, .309 OBP
2021 salary: $3.5M
Andrelton Simmons
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Twins
2021 stats: .223, 3 HR, 31 RBI, .283 OBP
2021 salary: $10.5M
OUTFIELDER
OUTFIELDER
Michael Conforto of the Mets and first base coach Tony Tarasco reacts after a game against the Marlins at Citi Field on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Michael Conforto
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Mets
2021 stats: .232 BA, 14 HR, 55 RBI, .344 OBP
2021 salary: $12.25M
Starling Marte
Age in 2022: 33
2021 team: Marlins/A’s
2021 stats: .308 BA, 12 HR, 55 RBI, .381 OBP
2021 salary: $12.5M
Chris Taylor
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Dodgers
2021 stats: .254 BA, 20 HR, 73 RBI, .344 OBP
2021 salary: $7.8M
Mark Canha
Age in 2022: 33
2021 team: A’s
2021 stats: .231 BA, 17 HR, 61 RRBI, .358 OBP
2021 salary: $6.92M
Tommy Pham
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Padres
2021 stats: .229, 15 HR, 49 RBI, .340 OBP
2021 salary: $8.9M
Nick Castellanos*
Age in 2022: 30
2021 team: Reds
2021 stats: .309 BA, 34 HR, 100 RBI, .362 OBP
2021 salary: $16M
*-mutual option ($22M)
Avisail Garcia*
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Brewers
2021 stats: .262 BA, 29 HR, 86 RBI, .330 OBP
2021 salary: $10.75M
*-team option ($12M)
Kyle Schwarber*
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Nationals/Red Sox
2021 stats: .266 BA, 32 HR, 71 RBI, .374 OBP
2021 salary: $7M
*-mutual option ($11.5M)
Jurickson Profar*
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Padres
2021 stats: .227 BA, 4 HR, 33 RBI, .329 OBP
2021 salary: $4.33M
*-player option ($7.33M)
Brett Gardner*
Age in 2022: 38
2021 team: Yankees
2021 stats: .222 BA, 10 HR, 39 RBI, .327 OBP
2021 salary: $2.5M
*-mutual option ($2.3M player option; if declined, $7.15M team option with $1.15M buyout)
DESIGNATED HITTER
DESIGNATED HITTER
The Red Sox's J.D. Martinez watches his three-run home run in the 10th inning of a game against Cleveland on Aug. 28 in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Tony Dejak
J.D. Martinez*
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Red Sox
2021 stats: .286 BA, 28 HR, 99 RBI, .349 OBP
2021 salary: $19.35M
*-player option ($19.35M)
Nelson Cruz
Age in 2022: 41
2021 team: Twins/Rays
2021 stats: .265 BA, 32 HR, 86 RBI, .334 OBP
2021 salary: $13M
STARTING PITCHER
STARTING PITCHER
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws against the Padres in the second inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sept. 29. Credit: TNS/Allen J. Schaben
Max Scherzer
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Nationals/Dodgers
2021 stats: 15-4, 2.46 ERA, 236 K, 0.864 WHIP
2021 salary: $34.5M
Carlos Rodon
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: White Sox
2021 stats: 13-5, 2.37 ERA, 185 K, 0.957 WHIP
2021 salary: $3M
Marcus Stroman
Age in 2022: 30
2021 team: Mets
2021 stats: 10-13, 3.02 ERA, 158 K, 1.145 WHIP
2021 salary: $18.9M
Noah Syndergaard
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Mets
2021 stats: 0-1, 9.00 ERA, 2 K, 1.500 WHIP
2021 salary: $9.7M
Kevin Gausman
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: 14-6, 2.81 ERA, 227 K, 1.042 WHIP
2021 salary: $18.9M
Robbie Ray
Age in 2022: 30
2021 team: Blue Jays
2021 stats: 13-7, 2.84 ERA, 248 K, 1.045 WHIP
2021 salary: $8M
Clayton Kershaw
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Dodgers
2021 stats: 10-8, 3.55 ERA, 144 K, 1.019 WHIP
2021 salary: $31M
Anthony DeSclafani
Age in 2022: 32
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: 13-7, 3.17 ERA, 152 K, 1.091 WHIP
2021 salary: $6M
Steven Matz
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Blue Jays
2021 stats: 14-7, 3.82 ERA, 144 K, 1.334 WHIP
2021 salary: $5.2M
Corey Kluber
Age in 2022: 35
2021 team: Yankees
2021 stats: 5-3, 3.83 ERA, 82 K, 1.338 WHIP
2021 salary: $11M
Eduardo Rodriguez
Age in 2022: 29
2021 team: Red Sox
2021 stats: 13-8, 4.74 EA, 185 K, 1.389 WHIP
2021 salary: $6.3M
Jon Gray
Age in 2022: 30
2021 team: Rockies
2021 stats: 8-12, 4.59 ERA, 157 K, 1.329 WHIP
2021 salary: $6M
Alex Wood
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Giants
2021 stats: 10-4, 3.83 ERA, 152 K, 1.183 WHIP
2021 salary: $3M
Alex Cobb
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Angels
2021 stats: 8-3, 3.76 ERA, 98 K, 1.264 WHIP
2021 salary: $15M
RELIEF PITCHER
RELIEF PITCHER
Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki, left, and relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias congratulate each other after the Angels defeated the Red Sox on July 7 in Anaheim, Calif. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Raisel Iglesias
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Angels
2021 stats: 7-5, 2.57 ERA, 34 SV, 103 L, 0.929 WHIP
2021 salary: $5.71M
Collin McHugh
Age in 2022: 35
2021 team: Rays
2021 stats: 6-1, 1.55 ERA, 1 SV, 74 K, 0.938 WHIP
2021 salary: $1.8M
Kenley Jansen
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Dodgers
2021 stats: 4-4, 2.22 ERA, 38 SV, 86 K, 1.043 WHIP
2021 salary: $20M
Ryan Tepera
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Cubs/White Sox
2021 stats: 0-2, 2.79 ERA, 2 SV, 74 K, 0.880 WHIP
2021 salary: $800K
Aaron Loup
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Mets
2021 stats: 6-0, 0.95 WHIP, 57 K, 0.935 WHIP
2021 salary: $3M
Kendall Graveman
Age in 2022: 31
2021 team: Mariners/Astros
2021 stats: 5-1, 1.77 ERA, 10 SV, 61 K, 0.982 WHIP
2021 salary: $1.25M
Craig Kimbrel*
Age in 2022: 34
2021 team: Cubs/White Sox
2021 stats: 4-5, 2.26 ERA, 24 SV, 100 K, 0.095 WHIP
2021 salary: $16M
*-team option ($16M, $1M buyout)
Nick Klopsis is Newsday.com's sports editor. He often can be found studying NFL and college football film for his latest draft breakdown.
