The MLB's Free Agency Frenzy Following the Lockout
- Chandler Giampietro
- Mar 27, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: May 3, 2022
(Jim Bowden talks MLB free agents concluding the lockout. (Courtesy of CBS Sports) )
The sequel of MLB free agency included a frenzy of signings and trades worth billions of dollars. Following the conclusion of the owners-imposed lockout, general managers threw their thinking caps on in hopes of improving their teams with half the time of a full offseason.
All thirty MLB squads had plenty of time to think about their plans after the conclusion of the lockout. However, this meant GMs had less time to make the moves for their club once the lockout finally concluded. A multitude of trades and signings had MLB fans notification bars filling up. Fans turned to their social media and other fans to discuss the winners and losers of free agency.
In recent years, MLB free agency has seen dispersed signings and trades throughout the entirety of the offseason. With the near three-month lockout, the free agency signings this year came in two waves. While fans was disappointed with the lockout, the craziness of signings were appreciated with spring training approaching.
“Despite the three-month lockout, the mass signings made it an exciting time to follow baseball considering that the last few offseasons have been so slow," said Matt Sosler, a junior at Ithaca College.
With so many signings, it was easy for fans to forget about impactful signings that drastically improved some teams during the offseason. An excellent shortstop free agency class included Carlos Correa, Marcus Semien, Corey Seagar, and Trevor Story. Most focused on these studs landing spots while other key signings went unnoticed.
“Some of the biggest pitcher signings flew under the radar. Robbie Ray to the Mariners, Kevin Gausman to the Blue Jays, and Corey Kluber to the Rays. I feel that the pitching market has a real impact and will be the thing people talk about at the end of the season,” said Syracuse junior, Ryan Nelson.
The offseason ends and the couch cushion general managers race to figure out who won or lost free agency. There is no commissioner’s trophy for this honor, however, GMs all have plans to improve their teams, and fans weigh how successful their efforts were during the Winter.
“The Dodgers and Twins improved the most during the offseason. Carlos Correa (Twins) and Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) are huge signings that impact both teams offensively and defensively,” said a graduate student at Mizzou, Kaylee Schreiner.
“The Dodgers man, You already have those pieces. Justin Turner, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, you have Trea Turner. All these ridiculously good pieces, and add Freddie Freeman then move Max Muncy over to second. The Mets too, of course, they got Max Scherzer, Starling Marte and Mark Canha. Those two I probably would expect to be in the NLCS at the end of the year,” said Sam Silveira, a senior at Roosevelt University.
(Sam Silveira free agency opinion)
With the free-agent frenzy ending, MLB fans will now get to see the new players in their new uniforms come opening Day. Now, only time will tell for fan predictions. As there can be only one winner in the MLB season, the team that holds up the coveted commissioner’s trophy.
Source list
Sam Silveira: ssilveira@mail.roosevelt.edu
Matt Sosler: msosler@ithaca.edu
Ryan Nelson: rtnelson@syr.edu
Kaylee Schreiner: kayschr06@gmail.com
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