Jorge Soler, the World Series MVP, as well as his Atlanta Braves teammates Freddie Freeman and Eddie Rosario, are among the 160 players who became free agents since Wednesday.
Thus, a recess between campaigns begins in which uncertainty will reign, with the threat of an employer strike on the horizon.
Houston Astros slugger Carlos Correa and pitcher Justin Verlander, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, also declared free agents.
Other stars hitting the market include Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Max Scherzer, Marcus Semien, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Michael Conforto, and Kevin Gausman.
Roughly 50 other players are potentially eligible, depending on the decision made regarding the option to renew their contracts in 2022.
Free agents can negotiate their contracts with any team starting Sunday night.
Catcher Tucker Barnhart, whose contract includes a $ 7.5 million team option, was traded from Cincinnati to Detroit on Wednesday by infielder Nick Quintana. The team’s decision on the option on Barnhart’s contract is pending.
The Philadelphia Phillies rejected the options they had to renew the contracts of Venezuelan Odubel Herrera and fellow outfielder Andrew McCutchen for one season.
Herrera will get $ 2.5 million for the termination clause, instead of the $ 11.5 million salary. This will complete a five-year, $ 30.5 million agreement.
You are eligible for wage arbitration.
The market is expected to be slow at the beginning, with the expectation of what may happen in the majors and without the certainty of what the economic structure will be next year. The collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the players union expires on December 1, and a lockout is possible.
Dodgers right-hander Trevor Bauer, who has been absent since July 2 while a domestic violence investigation is under way, may choose to terminate his remaining two years of contract, which includes $ 32 million in salary for the 2022 seasons and 2023.
Boston designated hitter JD Martinez must decide on a player option, as does Milwaukee outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
San Francisco catcher Buster Posey planned to announce his retirement Thursday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday, because Posey has yet to make his decision public. The Athletic was the first outlet to report the news.
The Giants said last month that they would make the option on Posey’s $ 22 million contract valid for the club in the 2022 season, as long as the 34-year-old veteran wanted to continue playing.
Teams must decide by 5 p.m. ET Sunday whether to make qualifying offers of up to $ 18.4 million for players who will become free agents.
A player is eligible for a qualifying offer only if he was with his team for the entire 2021 season and has not received any other such offer. (AP)