With MLB and the MLBPA still in a lockout, many of the top players in the game are still unsigned in free agency. When the lockout ends, these players will most certainly sign with high-level teams. But, the question is where. Let’s take a look at five players, and also where they might land in free agency. 

Carlos Correa

The shortstop is one of the game’s premier stars, and arguably the best player in this year’s free agency class. The two-time All-Star hit 26 home runs this season, with a .270 batting average and an .850 OPS. Correa finished fifth in MVP voting in 2021, and he walked away with a Gold Glove as well, proving he is one of the best defenders in the game. He is also steadily improving, with his strikeout and walk percentage being the best they’ve been since he entered the league. 

While there is a possibility that Correa returns to Houston, other possible landing spots include the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees seem like a frontrunner to land Correa, but both New York and Los Angeles are in need of a shortstop. Correa may earn between $330 and $340 million in free agency, as this number is similar to what other top shortstops Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. earned.

Freddie Freeman

World Series champion Freddie Freeman is another player primed to make a splash this offseason. The first-baseman followed up his 2020 MVP season with an All-Star appearance, a Silver Slugger, and an .896 OPS. His Silver Slugger is his third straight season with this award, and he also earned a Gold Glove in 2018. Freeman is known for hardly striking out, and he posted only a 15.4% strikeout rate this season, the second-lowest in his career. 

Freeman has been one of the league’s best players since his rookie season in 2011, but his age might lower the number of years a team will sign him for. He is expected to make top dollar for his performances, but teams may be skeptical about how much longer he can play. A likely possibility is that Freeman returns to his reigning champion Atlanta Braves, but the Yankees are also expected to make a push to sign him. With first base being a major question for the Yankees this upcoming season, Freeman would be a game-changer to their offense. 

Clayton Kershaw

If Clayton Kershaw decided to retire today, he would be considered as one of the greatest pitchers ever. The accolades are astounding: eight All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, five ERA titles, an MVP, a Pitching Triple Crown, and a World Series. However, his age has been a factor in his performance, as he has shown a steady decline once the injuries started to pile. Kershaw pitched to a 3.55 ERA and 144 strikeouts in an injury-shortened 2021 campaign, where he missed two months of the regular season as well as the postseason with a forearm/elbow injury. Although he only pitched 121.2 innings last season, he finished both 2019 and 2020 in the top-10 for Cy Young Voting. 

Entering his age-34 season, many have thrown out the possibility that he may decide to retire. If he decides to sign with a team, he will most likely either return to the Dodgers or sign with his hometown Texas Rangers. The injuries have certainly been a problem for Kershaw in his career. He has dealt with neck, back, shoulder, elbow, and forearm injuries. If he pitches a healthy season in 2022, he could be one of the best pitchers in the game, but that is a big if. 

Kyle Schwarber

One of the top left-handed power hitters, Kyle Schwarber is one of the most feared hitters in the game today. In only 113 games this season, Schwarber clubbed 32 home runs, and posted an astronomical .928 OPS along with an All-Star selection. He has also created reliable production, as he hit at least 25 home runs in three straight years, from 2017 to 2019. Schwarber, however, is not great defensively, as he is projected to be the designated hitter for whichever team he signs with. 

The main problem that is holding Schwarber back is his versatility. Schwarber has posted below-average numbers in the outfield while on the Cubs and Nationals, and designated hitter isn’t seen as a priority to some teams. There are many teams vying for his talents. The Phillies, Mets, Nationals, Guardians, and Red Sox have all expressed interest in Schwarber. The main targets will be his former teams, the Nationals, and Red Sox, but the Mets will also be in the running, especially if outfielder Michael Conforto leaves in free agency. 

Trevor Story

Another top shortstop is on the market this offseason in Trevor Story. Even with a down year by his standards, Story is a top target for many teams seeking a young shortstop. In 2021, Story hit 24 home runs and posted a mediocre .251 average. However, he was an All-Star and won Silver Slugger in both 2018 and 2019, years in which he posted 35 and 37 home runs, respectively. Teams are hoping that Story can return to his previous form this year, and his elite play makes him poised to do so. 

With Story seeming increasingly unlikely to return to Colorado, he will be forced to look for alternative destinations where he can earn his paycheck. The Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees are the most probable targets for the shortstop. The Phillies would see a major increase in production if they decide to sign Story, as 31-year old shortstop Didi Gregorious put up league-worst numbers defensively as their main shortstop. The Yankees will have to decide whether to invest their money in Story or Correa, as both are projected to make massive amounts of money. Any team that invests in Story’s talent is hoping that he will return to his 2018-19 form, and the amount of money that he is expected to receive will come with a possible risk. 

MLB has already decided to cancel the first two series, so players will have very little time to make a decision on where to sign before Spring Training begins. The league will begin to move fast when the two sides agree on a new CBA, and these players must be ready to make a decision on their teams to get ready for a new, albeit slightly shortened season of baseball.