The 2022 off-season falls on a razor’s edge with fans. Some would say it’s been going on forever, others would say that it hasn’t been on for long enough; all thanks to the lockout. However, even with the lockout, some unique role players have seen an upswing in their valuation because of the pause. And if MLB insiders are to be believed, then the New York Yankees may even have shifted priorities from the beginning of the lockout.
With them initially being expected to go after Carlos Correa in the off-season, recent reports have come out to say that the Yankees are considering Freddie Freeman more seriously.
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The New York Yankees are in need of a squad build-up and despite the obvious lack of shortstops, 1st base could also potentially be a place they look to reinforce. However, no signings are currently able to pass through the lockout instituted by the League. The Collective Bargaining agreement that the professional players had with the league expired early in December last year.
The League then proceeded to lockout the players in a bid to hasten negotiations. A ploy that has not been as successful as they previously intended. The lockout now has extended to well over 80 days, with little signs of improvement.
Freddie Freeman over Carlos Correa?
In a recent media interaction, MLB insider Jon Heyman has reported that the New York Yankees may actually look to sign Freddie Freeman before their pursuit of Carlos Correa resumes.
The superstar shortstop has been in high demand across the league, having turned in a performance to deserve that recognition. But his price tag may just have put off the Yankees. Says John Heyman, “He was asking for 330 million,” which may well rise after his teaming up with super-agent Scott Boras. Speaking about how much the escalation would likely be, Heyman adds, “330 to 350.”
On the other hand, Freeman is a more likely acquisition for the Yankees, offering the perfect combination of being an economic signing along with fitting in with the rest of the Yankees roster too. Freddie Freeman is 32 this off-season and is unlikely to command a contract the length or value of Carlos Correa.
Said Heyman, “He’s left handed, fits in perfectly with the lineup, you know, terrific in the clubhouse as well.” Going on to add his opinion too,” I think Freeman really fits this team. I think they really think that he does.”
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The off-season this year really does seem like the wild-wild west and if the New York Yankees are to make any signing, it would come as a relief to several baseball fans as it could well signal the end of the lockout. Perhaps the one time that even rivals would be happy when a team announces a signing. But what do you think? Will the Yankees sign Freeman? Or will they still pursue superstar Correa as a signing?
