Top 5 Shortstops On The Free Agent Market (And Possible Destinations)

 

Free agency has begun, and there are some very big names on the market, perhaps more than we've seen in some time. And how to rank them can take on many forms: age, performance, expected contract value, etc. 

No position is more stacked than shortstop. 

Let's run down the Top Five SS up for grabs in a very exciting free agent market. 

1. Carlos Correa

At 27 years old, he's the youngest of this stacked class of top hitters available. His offense may not be ahead of a couple of others on this list, but his Gold Glove defense gives him the edge. 

He had a 5.8 FanGraphs WAR in 2021, behind only Trea Turner and Fernando Tatis at the position. He's looking for a contract total that starts with a "3". That is, $300M+. 

The only drawback (aside from being one of the faces of the Houston Astros 2017 cheating scandal) is that he's only reached 500 at-bats once in the past four full seasons (that being in 2021).

Top suitors: New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers

2. Corey Seager

Finishing a very close 2nd, is the Los Angeles Dodgers 28-year-old superstar shortstop. His offensive potential is easily as high as Correa's, potentially much higher. 

Seager also has had his injury troubles, not reaching 145 games played since 2017. But when he plays, he rakes. His OPS the last two seasons combined of near .930 almost dwarfs Correa's (about .800), but can he play a full season? And how will his defense at SS hold up?

Top suitors: New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers

3. Marcus Semien

Semien spent the 2021 season at second base with the Toronto Blue Jays, but has made it known he still considers himself a shortstop. He posted MVP-caliber numbers in '21, for the second time in three seasons. 

Semien's age, 31, keeps him below the other two shortstops on this list. But his character, clubhouse leadership and professionalism are unparalleled, and will still land him a huge contract in average annual salary. The former Oakland Athletic is from the Bay Area, and still has a home there, so his potential destination could be in that direction.

Top suitors: San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners

4. Trevor Story

The Colorado Rockies mainstay knew his days in the Mile High City were nearing an end after the Rockies dealt Nolan Arenado last offseason, in the midst of cutting costs and a rebuild. 

The 29-year-old's numbers dipped a little in 2021, but his power is unquestioned as no shortstop has hit more homers than Story since 2016.

Actually, there is one question—his numbers away from Coors are considerably less impressive than in the Mile High environment, so that's always a consideration. 

Top suitors: Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals

5. Javier Baez

The mercurial 'El Mago' is a more volatile choice here; His joy for the game is unbridled, and his fielding is, shall we say, magical. But along with that, you have to take his disastrous swing-and-miss tendencies: he strikes out in more than 33% of his plate appearances. 

His extreme passion for the game can rub some the wrong way, as witnessed by his controversial "thumbs down" battle with New York Mets fans after his trade there this season. Could a return to the Windy City be in the offing?

Top suitors: New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports