by Questions surrounding the future of many of the game’s best will finally be answered as the 2022-23 MLB off-season is in full swing and clubs reload their roster as they prepare for another run in the World Series in 2023.
A few notable free players have already signed on in the early stages, but as many big names are still present, it will be interesting to see who finishes where in the coming months. As the free player era continues to evolve, check out the list below for notable actions in the league:
For more on MLB’s top free agents of 2022, check out the current top 50 players’ breakdown and signature predictions.
December 5: Dodgers Hire Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw’s second consecutive free agency trip didn’t take long after Los Angeles opted to bring the veteran left-hander back on a one-year deal, the move reported hours after his free agency period last month but was announced by the team on Monday. Now in his 16th season with the Dodgers, Kershaw is leaving behind an injury-filled year but still playing as the ace he has been throughout his career while in good health; The soon-to-be 35-year-old earned his ninth All-Star appearance this year, climbing 12–3 with a 2.28 ERA from 22 starts. —Jelani Scott
December 5: Phillies Catch Trea Turner
Philadelphia cemented its central defender look with the Dodgers, arguably the most wanted player of the position at Turner, earning All-Star endorsements in each of the last two seasons. Turner, who was the 2019 World Series champion with the National Champions in 160 games last season, recorded .298/.343/.466 slashes, 21 home runs and 100 RBIs. —Jelani Scott
For more on signing, read Emma Baccellieri’s analysis: Trea Turner and the Phillies are a Perfect Match
December 5: Mets Sign Justin Verlander
Verlander, who will turn 40 in February, is back for the 2022 season after missing most of ’20 and all of ’21 due to Tommy John’s surgery. He started 28 games for the Astros last season, going 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA and 185 wins in 175 innings, resulting in his third Cy Young trophy and first place since ’19. —Zach Koons
For more on the signature, read Tom Verducci’s analysis: The Mets Had No Choice But To Sign Justin Verlander
December 2: Rangers Land Jacob deGrom
Two-time Cy Young winner and four-time All-Star deGrom is now heading to Arlington in a stunning move that nets the coveted ace a massive five-year deal. The often injured 34-year-old struggled with a shoulder injury before and throughout the 2022 campaign, but managed to start 11 and finished the year with a 3.08 ERA and 102 strokes. —Jelani Scott
For more on the signature, read Tom Verducci’s analysis: Jacob deGrom’s Deal Opens MLB’s Free Agency Plug
November 28: Astros Sign Jose Abreu
The 2020 AL MVP and three-time All-Star chose to leave the White Sox after nine seasons to sign a three-year deal with Houston on November 28. In his final season in Chicago, Abreu recorded a career-low 15 home runs. however, it finished the year with 75 RBI of .304/.378/.446. The 35-year-old is now gearing up to take the lead in a formidable Astros line-up and provide the defending champions with another effective slug for a potential role as a designated spiker. —Jelani Scott
For more on signing, read Nick Selbe’s analysis: José Abreu Signature Helps the Astros Approach the Evil Empire State
November 15: Yankees Re-sign Anthony Rizzo
After arriving in New York on a deadline deal in 2021, Rizzo continued to deliver solid production on a plus last year, leading to back-to-back contract extensions. He finished his 22 seasons in second place for the Yankees with 32 points at home, setting a career high and producing .817 OPS with 75 RBIs. —Jelani Scott
November 15: Angels and Tyler Anderson Agree to Deal
For the first time ever, the All-Star turned down a convenient offer to return Dodgers in favor of an hour’s drive on I-5 to sign a three-year deal with Halos. After playing for five different teams over the past four seasons, Anderson seems to have stepped up by stepping out of a 2022 campaign erupting in Los Angeles. As well as 2.57 ERA. —Jelani Scott
November 15: Giants’ Joc Pederson Accepts Eligible Offer
Pederson’s Bay Area native has chosen to stay close to home this off-season after another season of rebounding with San Francisco. Signing as a free agent last March, Pederson took .274/.353/.521 hits on his way to earn his second All-Star selection and finish the season as a Silver Slugger finalist. The two-time World Series champion has recorded 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 134 games. —Jelani Scott
November 10: Padres Hire Robert Suárez
San Diego’s prominent right-hand man has joined a growing list of relief shooters who have signed new deals after an impressive debut campaign. Having spent 2016-20 pitching at Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, 31-year-old Suárez hit 61 while recording a 2.27 ERA and a save, posting a record 5-1. —Jelani Scott
November 10: The Mets Re-sign Edwin Díaz
After earning his second career All-Star endorsement in 2022, Díaz made money from his outstanding season by signing the largest ever contract for a utility pitcher. The 28-year-old has recorded 32 saves with a 1.31 ERA, 118 strokes and 18 walks. Díaz was also part of MLB’s 17th combined hitter when he closed a historic win over the Phillies in New York in April. —Jelani Scott
