Free agent frenzy sends familiar faces to new places in MLB

Mar 23, 2022, 10:22 PM | Updated: Mar 24, 2022, 10:26 am

New York Mets' Max Scherzer pitches in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against...

New York Mets' Max Scherzer pitches in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Monday, March 21, 2022, in Jupiter, Fl. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)


              FILE - New Texas Rangers infielder Marcus Semien answers questions at a news conference at Globe Life Field, Dec. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Semien and Corey Seager are finally on the field together and able to talk about what they want to accomplish with the Rangers, who committed a half-billion dollars to the middle infielders just before the Major League Baseball lockout. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)
            
              New York Yankees infielders Josh Donaldson, left, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa walk off the field after fielding practice during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, March 14, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
            
              FILE - New Texas Rangers infielder Corey Seager speaks at a news conference at Globe Life Field, Dec. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Seager and Marcus Semien are finally on the field together and able to talk about what they want to accomplish with the Rangers, who committed a half-billion dollars to the middle infielders just before the Major League Baseball lockout. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)
            
              Washington Nationals Gerarado Parra, left, and Nelson Cruz, right, smile after arriving at the same time for a portrait session at baseball spring training Thursday, March 17, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
            
              Philadelphia Phillies outfielders Nick Castellanos, left, and Kyle Schwarber, right, do drills before a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Clearwater, Fla. Castellanos and the Phillies finalized a $100 million, five-year contract on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
            
              Colorado Rockies' Kris Bryant speaks puts on his cap and jersey after being introduced by the baseball team for the first time, Friday, March 18, 2022, at spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
            
              Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez runs the bases on an RBI-double to score Robbie Grossman in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
            
              Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa gets ready for baseball batting practice at Hammond Stadium Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla.  (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
            
              New Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story adjusts his ball cap as he speaks to the media during a baseball press conference at JetBlue Park Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
            
              Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman speaks during an introductory news conference at spring training baseball, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
            
              Atlanta Braves baseball team newly acquired All-Star first baseman Matt Olson smiles during an introductory press conference in North Port, Fla., Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The Braves signed Olson to a $168 million, eight-year contract.(Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Many familiar faces with impressive resumes are in new places following one of major league baseball’s wildest free-agent frenzies.

Max Scherzer and Corey Seager got megadeals before the lockout. Freddie Freeman had to wait until spring training to get his lucrative contract. Trevor Story jumped leagues and changed positions. Nick Castellanos switched red pinstripes.

Kris Bryant stayed in the NL West. Carlos Correa stayed in the American League.

Other stars ended up with new teams via trades. Matt Chapman went from the A’s to the Blue Jays. The Marines got outfielder Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Reds. Oakland also traded Matt Olson, sending him to the Braves. The Yankees got Josh Donaldson from the Twins.

Fans may need to pull out their programs to go with those cold beers, hot dogs and Cracker Jack to keep track of who ended up where.

A look at some of the many moves:

MAX SCHERZER: The three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star returned to the NL East, signing a $130 million, three-year deal with the New York Mets. He’s coming off a 15-4, 2.46 ERA season split between with Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

COREY SEAGER: The two-time All-Star shortstop and 2020 World Series MVP got the richest deal, a $325 million, 10-year contract to leave the Dodgers for the Texas Rangers. He joined Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien in Texas. Semien, who hit 45 homers for Toronto last year, got a $175 million, seven-year contract from the Rangers hours before Seager on Dec. 1.

FREDDIE FREEMAN: The 2020 NL MVP is out of Atlanta after helping the Braves win the World Series, heading back home to play for the Dodgers, who gave him $162 million, six-year contract. Freeman’s decision to leave came after the Braves acquired first baseman Matt Olson from Oakland.

TREVOR STORY: A four-time All-Star shortstop in Colorado, Story signed a $140 million, six-year contract with Boston to play second base. He joins shortstop Xander Bogaerts to form a powerful middle infield.

KRIS BRYANT: The Rockies signed the versatile 2016 NL MVP, giving him a $182 million, seven-year contract. Bryant was traded from the Cubs to the Giants last season after making his fourth All-Star game.

ROBBIE RAY: After winning the AL Cy Young Award in Toronto, the left-hander got a $115 million, five-year contract from Seattle.

CARLOS CORREA: A two-time All-Star shortstop and the AL 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, Correa left Houston for Minnesota, getting a $105.3 million, three-year contract. But Correa can opt out after the 2022 and 2023 seasons to become a free agent again.

NICK CASTELLANOS: The 2021 All-Star outfield got a $100 million, five-year contract from the Phillies after a career season in Cincinnati. Castellanos joined slugger Kyle Schwarber, who received a $79 million, four-year from Philadelphia.

KENLEY JANSEN: The longtime Dodgers closer and three-time All-Star with 350 career saves joined the defending champion Braves on a one-year, $18 million deal.

JORGE SOLER: The 2021 World Series MVP remained in the NL East, signing a three-year, $36 million contract with the Marlins. Soler led the AL with 48 homers in 2019 for Kansas City.

NELSON CRUZ: The veteran designated hitter is back in the NL where he spent his first season in 2005 with Milwaukee. The Nationals gave the 41-year-old Cruz a $12 million salary for this year, and the deal includes a $16 million mutual option for 2023 with a $3 million buyout.

KEVIN GAUSMAN: Third time was a charm for the Blue Jays, who signed Gausman away from San Francisco with a $110 million, five-year contract. The right-hander had spurned free agent offers from Toronto each of the previous two offseasons.

STARLING MARTE: The Mets gave Marte $78 million for four years to be their center fielder. He led the majors in stolen bases last year, but has been slowed this spring by an oblique injury. Their big splash before the lockout also included signing infielder Eduardo Escobar to a $20 million, two-year deal and giving outfielder/first baseman Mark Canha $26.5 million over two years with a club option.

JAVIER BÁEZ: The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove-winning shortstop signed a $140 million, six-year deal with Detroit before the lockout. He finished last season with the Mets after a trade from the Cubs.

___

More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

3 months ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

3 months ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

3 months ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

3 months ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

3 months ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

3 months ago

Free agent frenzy sends familiar faces to new places in MLB