One of these days, the MLB lockout will end and there will be an absolute tidal wave of free-agent signings and trades being made across the league. There are going to be plenty of active teams – both contenders and rebuilders alike – but who will be most active when baseball is once again open for business?
New York Yankees
It's doubtful the Yankees will land the most prized MLB free agent out there in shortstop Carlos Correa, but Trevor Story sure would be a nice consolation prize. Plus, New York is likely interested in trying to bring back first baseman Anthony Rizzo, and if that fails, the Yankees could possibly be in the mix for a trade involving Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson or signing Freddie Freeman in Free Agency. Don't be fooled too much by the Yankees' supposed adherence to some form of restrained spending; if the right deal comes along, they're going to do it.
Oakland Athletics
It's pretty much the worst-kept secret in the MLB that the Athletics are about to embark on a full-on fire sale of their team. Matt Olson, third baseman Matt Chapman, and pitchers Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, and Lou Trivino are all likely candidates to be dealt, which will no doubt bring back a boatload of prospects to Oakland (or wherever this team ends up playing in the next few years). The fact is, the A's had some really good seasons, making the playoffs three of the past four years and notching 97 wins in both 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, they just couldn't get it done in the postseason and the time has come to reset – the price of doing business as a “small market” team.
Texas Rangers
It might seem surprising to see the Rangers on this list considering they blew the doors off the league by acquiring shortstop Corey Seager, infielder Marcus Semien, pitcher Jon Gray, and outfielder Kole Calhoun before the lockout shut things down. But it's clear Texas isn't looking to enter a rebuilding phase at all, and there is still more roster-shaping to be done, especially when it comes to the pitching staff. Though you can't count the Rangers out of any moves at this point.
Tampa Bay Rays
It might seem strange to see the Rays opening themselves up for trades, but since when does Tampa Bay do anything like other MLB teams? It would appear outfielders Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Meadows and even Manuel Margot are available, thanks to yet another crop of exciting young talent ascending through the Rays' minor-league system.
Cleveland Guardians
Sure, you might laugh at this given Cleveland's eternal budget-tightening, but there's a very good chance the Guardians will be active in the trade market when things open back up. The team has a loaded farm system, with many players ready to potentially breakthrough to the majors. This has created something of a logjam, primarily in the infield, and it would make perfect sense for Cleveland to trade away some of that unproven talent for an outfielder or even a first baseman.
New York Mets
You might have thought the Mets would take a break from the feeding frenzy MLB Free Agency, but there's a good chance New York will continue to wheel and deal when the lockout ends. After signing outfielder Starling Marte, third baseman Eduardo Escobar, outfielder and first baseman Mark Canha, and pitcher Max Scherzer, the Mets are faced with a logjam on the current roster. Names like Dominic Smith, Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis could very well be on the move to make room for what appears to be a pretty substantial roster overhaul.
Cincinnati Reds
It's a frustrating time for Reds fans. Cincinnati was in the playoff hunt most of last season before fading down the final stretch and finishing with an 83-79 record. It was clear the Reds would be losing Nick Castellanos in free agency, but Cincinnati still had plenty of pieces that would allow them to contend if they wanted to. Well, it appears the opposite is going to happen for the Reds this MLB offseason, as the team traded catcher Tucker Barnhart in early November to the Detroit Tigers. Since then, Wade Miley has been claimed off waivers by the Cubs, and pitchers like Sonny Gray and even Luis Castillo appear available to trade. Not to mention there's been chatter about outfielder Jesse Winker being potential trade bait, too. The Reds were so much closer to contention than they're acting and now they appear ready to enter a long, dark rebuilding period.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are in rebuilding hell and will continue to be there in 2022, even as some top prospects inch ever closer to making their debuts in Baltimore. Pitcher John Means, along with outfielder Anthony Santander and first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini could be had, but don't count out the possibility that an MLB team swoops in and blows Baltimore away in a deal for budding superstar center fielder Cedric Mullins.
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