The MLB is back! After a long journey and a frustrating lockout, baseball is officially back and that means that the MLB's free agency period is back with it. However, the sports world got a glimpse of the free agency period before the lockout began, as teams went on a spending spree, reeling in big-time free agents such as Corey Seager, Max Scherzer and Marcus Semien. However, one team was notably quiet during this time period: the New York Yankees. The Yankees didn't make a single noteworthy move, which is most unusual for a franchise that is almost always circling the waters around the game's biggest free agents. However, that doesn't mean the Yankees can't still get involved in the free agency period, especially considering there are still plenty of great players available. That said, here are three MLB free agents that New York must sign now that baseball is back.

3 Free Agents Yankees Must Sign

3. Anthony Rizzo 

The Yankees have been linked to Atlanta Braves All-Star Freddie Freeman and Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson as possible options for the team. The Yankees could go that route, though it seems far more likely that they opt for a lower cost option, such as Rizzo. The former Chicago Cubs starter is a good fit for the Yankees for several reasons. Rizzo is a lefty bat, which the Yankee lineup doesn't have a whole lot of. Not only that, but the free agent to-be also has a good hitter's eye and not a whole lot of swing-and-miss to his game, as he posted just a 15.1 percent strikeout rate, which would be one of the lower marks on the Yankees. Perhaps most importantly, Rizzo is the best defensive first baseman the Yankees have had since Mark Teixeira. New York and Rizzo make sense. He should be one of the first free agents the sign.

2. Trevor Story

The Yankees need a shortstop for the 2022 season. The team seems unlikely to spend big for Carlos Correa, the best available option, especially considering the fact that they just doled out millions for Gerrit Cole somewhat recently. This is where Trevor Story comes in. He's good enough to not be considered an unappealing stopgap option but also coming off of a bit of a down season, which could prevent his free agent market from heating up as much. Story hits for average, hits for power and can steal bases, all facets of his game that would make him an ideal Yankees target. Story's speed would particularly be a big addition for one of the slower lineups in baseball. New York needs to go out and get Story to address their shortstop problem.

1. Carlos Rodon

The Yankees had one of the better pitching staffs in baseball this past year, ranking sixth in the league with a 3.74 ERA. New York has a bonafide ace in Gerrit Cole. Luis Severino, who was seen as a high-end starter just a few years ago, returned from injury but is a question mark after a long road back from Tommy John. Jordan Montgomery is a capable pitcher but isn't considered a true number-two starter. Carlos Rodon, who finished fifth in the American League Cy Young award voting, is. If the Yankees were wondering what kind of stuff Rodon has, they can look no further than their matchup against him from this past May, where he struck out 13 batters. The lefty pitcher posted a career-best 2.37 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Rodon won't come cheap, though some could be scared away from his shoulder injury, which cut his strong White Sox season short. He's worth it for the Yankees, who could solidify the rotation behind Cole and Severino with a strong arm.