Top 5 Big-Name Free Agents Still Available (And Likely Destinations)

As of Dec. 2nd, the MLB work stoppage is in effect. No free agent signings, no trades, no team business. But after the flurry of free agent deals handed out over the last few weeks, there are still some big names who will now have to wait until a new collective bargaining agreement is signed before their futures are decided. 

With that, we take a look at the five biggest names who have yet to figure out where they'll be calling home in 2022, and where they might end up. 

Carlos Correa

The former Houston Astros' shortstop has said he's happy to wait, to ensure he gets the best deal possible. Now that Corey Seager, pretty much his equal in this free agent market, has signed a 10-year, $325M deal with the Texas Rangers, Correa figures his market price can only go up from there. 

Potential destinations: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Astros.

Freddie Freeman

At the beginning of free agency, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single person who didn't believe it was a foregone conclusion that Freeman would re-sign with the Atlanta Braves. But with no deal done yet, some doubts have started to creep in.. as have the usual big-name, big-money suitors.

Yankees are among teams in the bidding for Braves superstar Freddie Freeman. But hard to find anyone who thinks he’ll leave Atlanta, including Yanks. They view it as another situation akin to Jeter as player with Yankees. It seems Braves must bridge 5/6 year difference with FF.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 2, 2021

Potential destinations: Braves, Yankees, Dodgers.

Kris Bryant

The 1B/3B/OF brings a lot of flexibility, and leadership, to any roster, so Bryant has a number of suitors, though a return to San Francisco seems unlikely, as we reported recently. Interesting to note: The Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper is Bryant's best friend. 

Potential destinations: Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies.

Trevor Story

The last of the superstar shortstops still available, there has actually been some recent talk about a potential reunion with the Rockies. But the multi-talented Story has many other suitors as well, as he is able to play other positions in addition to short. The Mariners are in here, as well. 

In addition to Kris Bryant, the Seattle Mariners are expressing interest in free-agent infielder Trevor Story, according to sources familiar with the situation. Seattle has already added Robbie Ray and Adam Frazier, but continue to seek an impact bat.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 1, 2021

Potential destinations: Mariners, Phillies, Mets, Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Rockies. 

Nick Castellanos

The Cincinnati outfielder had his best season to date, establishing himself as a feared power hitter, and a team leader. However, sources say the 29-year-old slugger (and his agent Scott Boras) is looking for a deal in the 7-year range, so it's no surprise nothing got worked out here before the work stoppage. And any hopes of the Miami Marlins signing him, despite their keen interest, would seem far-fetched.

Nick Castellanos remains a great fit for Miami, but a source said he’s seeking a seven- or eight-year deal, likely taking him out of the Marlins’ price range.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 29, 2021

Potential destinations: Phillies, Giants, Padres, Reds