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Free agent frenzy sends familiar faces to new places in MLB

Rob Maaddi

Associated Press

Tags: Kenley Jansen, Matt Chapman, Josh Donaldson, Kyle Schwarber, Starling Marte, Sports, Matt Olson, Nick Castellanos, Eugenio Suarez, Kris Bryant, Max Scherzer, Nelson Cruz, Eduardo Escobar, Freddie Freeman, Kevin Gausman, Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Jorge Soler, Mark Canha, Carlos Correa, Robbie Ray, Xander Bogaerts, Marcus Semien, Jesse Winker
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New York Mets' Max Scherzer pitches in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Monday, March 21, 2022, in Jupiter, Fl. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New York Yankees infielders Josh Donaldson, left, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa walk off the field after fielding practice during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, March 14, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - New Texas Rangers infielder Marcus Semien answers questions at a news conference at Globe Life Field, Dec. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Semien and Corey Seager are finally on the field together and able to talk about what they want to accomplish with the Rangers, who committed a half-billion dollars to the middle infielders just before the Major League Baseball lockout. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman speaks during an introductory news conference at spring training baseball, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez runs the bases on an RBI-double to score Robbie Grossman in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story adjusts his ball cap as he speaks to the media during a baseball press conference at JetBlue Park Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Colorado Rockies' Kris Bryant speaks puts on his cap and jersey after being introduced by the baseball team for the first time, Friday, March 18, 2022, at spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa gets ready for baseball batting practice at Hammond Stadium Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Philadelphia Phillies outfielders Nick Castellanos, left, and Kyle Schwarber, right, do drills before a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Clearwater, Fla. Castellanos and the Phillies finalized a $100 million, five-year contract on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Washington Nationals Gerarado Parra, left, and Nelson Cruz, right, smile after arriving at the same time for a portrait session at baseball spring training Thursday, March 17, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
FILE - New Texas Rangers infielder Corey Seager speaks at a news conference at Globe Life Field, Dec. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Seager and Marcus Semien are finally on the field together and able to talk about what they want to accomplish with the Rangers, who committed a half-billion dollars to the middle infielders just before the Major League Baseball lockout. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

New York Mets' Max Scherzer pitches in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Monday, March 21, 2022, in Jupiter, Fl. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Many familiar faces with impressive resumes are in new places following one of major league baseball’s wildest free-agent frenzies.

Max Scherzer and Corey Seager got megadeals before the lockout. Freddie Freeman had to wait until spring training to get his lucrative contract. Trevor Story jumped leagues and changed positions. Nick Castellanos switched red pinstripes.

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Kris Bryant stayed in the NL West. Carlos Correa stayed in the American League.

Other stars ended up with new teams via trades. Matt Chapman went from the A’s to the Blue Jays. The Marines got outfielder Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Reds. Oakland also traded Matt Olson, sending him to the Braves. The Yankees got Josh Donaldson from the Twins.

Fans may need to pull out their programs to go with those cold beers, hot dogs and Cracker Jack to keep track of who ended up where.

A look at some of the many moves:

MAX SCHERZER: The three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star returned to the NL East, signing a $130 million, three-year deal with the New York Mets. He’s coming off a 15-4, 2.46 ERA season split between with Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

COREY SEAGER: The two-time All-Star shortstop and 2020 World Series MVP got the richest deal, a $325 million, 10-year contract to leave the Dodgers for the Texas Rangers. He joined Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien in Texas. Semien, who hit 45 homers for Toronto last year, got a $175 million, seven-year contract from the Rangers hours before Seager on Dec. 1.

FREDDIE FREEMAN: The 2020 NL MVP is out of Atlanta after helping the Braves win the World Series, heading back home to play for the Dodgers, who gave him $162 million, six-year contract. Freeman’s decision to leave came after the Braves acquired first baseman Matt Olson from Oakland.

TREVOR STORY: A four-time All-Star shortstop in Colorado, Story signed a $140 million, six-year contract with Boston to play second base. He joins shortstop Xander Bogaerts to form a powerful middle infield.

KRIS BRYANT: The Rockies signed the versatile 2016 NL MVP, giving him a $182 million, seven-year contract. Bryant was traded from the Cubs to the Giants last season after making his fourth All-Star game.

ROBBIE RAY: After winning the AL Cy Young Award in Toronto, the left-hander got a $115 million, five-year contract from Seattle.

CARLOS CORREA: A two-time All-Star shortstop and the AL 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, Correa left Houston for Minnesota, getting a $105.3 million, three-year contract. But Correa can opt out after the 2022 and 2023 seasons to become a free agent again.

NICK CASTELLANOS: The 2021 All-Star outfield got a $100 million, five-year contract from the Phillies after a career season in Cincinnati. Castellanos joined slugger Kyle Schwarber, who received a $79 million, four-year from Philadelphia.

KENLEY JANSEN: The longtime Dodgers closer and three-time All-Star with 350 career saves joined the defending champion Braves on a one-year, $18 million deal.

JORGE SOLER: The 2021 World Series MVP remained in the NL East, signing a three-year, $36 million contract with the Marlins. Soler led the AL with 48 homers in 2019 for Kansas City.

NELSON CRUZ: The veteran designated hitter is back in the NL where he spent his first season in 2005 with Milwaukee. The Nationals gave the 41-year-old Cruz a $12 million salary for this year, and the deal includes a $16 million mutual option for 2023 with a $3 million buyout.

KEVIN GAUSMAN: Third time was a charm for the Blue Jays, who signed Gausman away from San Francisco with a $110 million, five-year contract. The right-hander had spurned free agent offers from Toronto each of the previous two offseasons.

STARLING MARTE: The Mets gave Marte $78 million for four years to be their center fielder. He led the majors in stolen bases last year, but has been slowed this spring by an oblique injury. Their big splash before the lockout also included signing infielder Eduardo Escobar to a $20 million, two-year deal and giving outfielder/first baseman Mark Canha $26.5 million over two years with a club option.

JAVIER BÁEZ: The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove-winning shortstop signed a $140 million, six-year deal with Detroit before the lockout. He finished last season with the Mets after a trade from the Cubs.

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Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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