Where will the top 4 remaining MLB free agents sign

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Carlos Rodon #16 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park on September 29, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The winter meetings have concluded, but there are still some high quality free agents remaining, here’s where I think they’ll sign.

Carlos Rodon - LHP

Rodon proved he can stay healthy after a full season with the San Francisco Giants where he started 31 games and had a 2.88 ERA while striking out the most hitters per nine innings in the National League with 12.0 and also led the NL in FIP with 2.25, showing that with a better defense Rodon’s ERA could’ve been even lower.

The Giants of course would love to have Rodon back, but they have been reluctant to give out long contracts to pitchers after the Barry Zito and Matt Cain disaster deals.

With Rodon most likely to leave the city by the bay we need to look at who could use him, which to be fair, is almost every team.

The teams that make the most sense though are the Dodgers and Yankees, and they both had an interest at the winter meetings. The Twins, Red Sox and Orioles have also been involved in rumors. The Cardinals, Rangers, Padres, and more surely also have an interest and fit.

I don’t think any team will outbid the Yankees though.

The Yankees would love another star pitcher like Rodon, and he could be the missing piece to overtake the Astros.

Even with Rodon reportedly wanting more years than the Yankees want to give, I have Rodon shaving his beard and heading to the Bronx.

Prediction: New York Yankees, 5 years, $165 million

Carlos Correa - SS

Aaron Judge was the best fit for the San Francisco Giants, but after missing out on him they need to pivot to the best remaining position player free agent, Carlos Correa.

The Giants are seen as the frontrunners for the 28-year-old shortstop, and I doubt they let themselves be outbid by the Twins.

They might not even have to worry about the Cubs, as they seem to be shifting their attention somewhere else, and if the Red Sox won’t pay for Bogaerts they won’t pay for Correa.

We also know the Dodgers won’t bid for Correa.

Of course, he’s not a Giant yet, and there could be some issues with longtime Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, but I believe the veteran to be a team player and something will get figured out if the Giants and Correa come to an agreement.

This is truly the Giant’s race to lose.

I’m going back on my initial prediction of the Orioles, I think the Giants will offer him a record contract (for an infielder) in order to make sure they get their guy.

Prediction: San Francisco Giants, 12 years, $350 million

Dansby Swanson - SS

Swanson is coming off the best year of his career, posting a 5.7 rWAR, and was named to his first all-star game, won his first gold glove, and had a very respectable 115 OPS+.

He might not have the offensive potential as the other top shortstops, but his defense makes up for it, and he’s proven that he can be good with the stick.

The Braves just don’t seem to be too interested in keeping Swanson which is definitely a surprise to me as I initially predicted them to re-sign him.

That begs the question, who will sign the 28-year-old.

I think it comes down to three teams, the Cubs, Dodgers, and Red Sox.

The Cubs have been interested, and it makes sense for him to have interest back as his fiancé Mallory Pugh plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League.

That could make the Cubs too good of an offer to pass up, but I think Swanson will go somewhere else.

Will that team be the Red Sox?

I don’t think so, they’re going to want to replace Bogaerts, and Swanson will be cheaper than Correa, but I think the chance to play for another contender in the Los Angeles Dodgers is something that he will take.

The Dodgers may not pursue Correa, but they surely want to replace the hole left by Trea Turner, and they haven’t had an offseason splash like they seemingly always have.

The need is there and I think these two will come to an agreement.

Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers, 6 years, $144 million

Kodai Senga - RHP

There are reportedly between six and twelve teams looking into Japanese sensation Kodai Senga, 30, who will be coming to the MLB from the NPB where he had a 2.59 ERA across 11 seasons, and a 1.94 ERA this past year.

Senga throws a pitch that no one else does, the ghost fork.

Teams will want that pitch and the rest of his offerings, and with such a big market I believe Senga will get a good, long contract, with a contender.

I believe that contender will be the San Diego Padres.

The Padres have Senga’s mentor Yu Darvish on the team, and Senga knows Nick Martinez and Robert Suarez from their time in Japan.

These familiar faces should make a transition easier.

The Padres also need starting pitching, they’ve crafted one of the best offenses and defenses in the MLB, but they need to now switch their attention to the open spots in their rotation.

Senga would immediately slot in and make them much better.

Padres general manager A.J Preller has built up a reputation as a bit of a madman, and shouldn’t be put off by any potential risk there is of signing a foreign player.

Senga could end up almost anywhere, but the Padres just make the most sense, as they try to not only stay ahead of the Giants but dethrone the Dodgers as the kings of the NL West.

Prediction: San Diego Padres, 5 years, $117.5 million

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