MLB Update: 3/21/22
The first week of Spring Training is in the books and teams are starting to get their rosters together to begin the 2022 season. With the 99-day lockout causing a freeze in free agency and trade activity, there was an explosion of moves over the last week. Here is a recap of all the moves made:
New York Mets trade for Chris Bassitt: After landing Max Scherzer before the lockout, the Mets were not done adding to their starting rotation. The former Oakland Athletics righty will add big-time depth to a rotation that will feature Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Carlos Carrasco. That is arguably the best in baseball.
Clayton Kershaw re-signs with Dodgers: One of the best pitchers in baseball history is not done pitching in LA. After his 2021 season ended with an elbow injury, he is back in Dodger blue and ready to roll in 2022. He took a significant pay cut, coming off a contract where he made $31 million down to a 1-year, $17 million deal.
Atlanta Braves trade and sign Matt Olson: This was a big one. After winning the World Series last season, the face of the Braves franchise, Freddie Freeman, was still a free agent. Before any decision came from Freeman, the Braves traded for All-Star first baseman, Matt Olson, from the Oakland Athletics. That move, along with signing Olson to a 8-year contract, all but guaranteed Freeman’s departure in Atlanta.
Toronto Blue Jays trade for Matt Chapman: In another move by Oakland to clean house, they sent their star third baseman to Toronto. The Blue Jays get one of the best defenders in the league along with another solid bat to add to a great lineup.
Anthony Rizzo re-signs with Yankees: After being traded by the Cubs last season, Anthony Rizzo seems to have found a new home in New York. The All-Star first baseman is certainly past the prime of his career but he will provide the Yankees with a solid bat for the next two years.
Kris Bryant signs with Colorado Rockies: This was no doubt, the most surprising free agent signing of this list. The Rockies, after literally paying the St. Louis Cardinals to take Nolan Arenado, their star third baseman, just 2 years into an 8-year contract, they sign another star third baseman to a 7-year, $182 million deal. It doesn’t make much sense for Bryant either but he must really love wearing purple or something.
Dodgers land Freddie Freeman: The Dodgers just love taking other team’s franchise players. After the relationship between the Braves and Freeman fell apart, the Dodgers swept in and signed the 2020 MVP to a 6-year, $162 million deal. Freeman, a SoCal native, joins a star-studded LA lineup that may be the best ever assembled in MLB history.
Kenley Jansen signs with Atlanta: The Braves countered the Dodgers signing Freeman by taking LA’s best closer in franchise history. Jansen signed a 1-year, $16 million contract with the defending World Series champions who spent the last 12 seasons in Dodger blue. Jansen will add to an already impressive pitching staff in Atlanta.
Philadelphia Phillies add Outfield Depth: The Phillies front office was looking to spend money and they delivered with signing two outfielders, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. Schwarber, the former Red Sox, signed a 4-year, $79 million deal and Castellanos, the former Reds slugger, signed a 5-year, $100 million deal. Both will join Bryce Harper to secure a very dangerous outfield in Philadelphia for the next few seasons.
Carlos Correa signs with Minnesota: The long-time cheater, I mean Astro (sorry, force of habit) will join the Twins for the next 3 seasons to a tune of $105 million. I was surprised Correa didn’t get a bigger deal from free agency but I guess teams care about good character, weird.
Trevor Story signs with Boston: The former Rockie All-Star shortstop is shipping up to Boston with a 6-year, $140 million contract. The Red Sox get another great bat but it won’t help the team’s biggest need, their pitching. Unless Story has a secret he isn’t telling us.
Alright, that’s all for now. It was a lot to cover and there were several other smaller moves that I didn’t mention. I can’t imagine how insane it was for GM’s and players as soon as the lockout ended. Hopefully, your team added a good player or two. If not, sucks to suck, at least baseball is back, yeah? Keep an eye out for more MLB updates and division previews and we get ready for Opening Day next month!