MLB Rumors: Latest Free Agency Buzz on Nick Castellanos, Yankees and Red Sox

Now that the Atlanta Braves have been crowned World Series champions, teams are gearing up to make moves on the open market, and the 2021 free-agent class is loaded.  

However, there's going to be some competition for MLB's most prominent stars. Regardless, let's take a look at the latest rumors regarding outfielder Nick Castellanos, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. 

Rockies targeting All-Star OF Nick Castellanos?

The Colorado Rockies are interested in adding to their outfield this winter, and Nick Castellanos is among the players the club is reportedly targeting, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. Michael Conforto and Starling Marte are also on their list. 

The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday that Castellanos exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and will become a free agent this offseason. He had two years and $34 million remaining on his four-year, $64 million deal.

Castellanos is coming off one of his best seasons in MLB. He hit .309/.362/.576 with a career-high 34 home runs and 100 RBI in 138 games. 

Aside from Charlie Blackmon, who has spent his entire 11-year career in Colorado, the Rockies lack star power in the outfield. During the 2021 campaign, the club relied on Raimel Tapia, Yonathan Daza, Garrett Hampson and Sam Hilliard in the outfield. 

While Blackmon played most of the 2021 season in right field, he could shift to left or center in 2022 if the Rockies were to acquire Castellanos, who is primarily a right fielder. Also, with MLB likely to implement a universal designated hitter next season, either Blackmon or Castellanos could serve that position. 

However, the Rockies will face tough competition for the 29-year-old. The Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs have also reportedly been linked to the star outfielder, which means a bidding war could be on tap. 

Yankees looking for improvements at several positions?

The New York Yankees are reportedly looking for upgrades at catcher and in center field, according to Bowden. The Bronx Bombers are also reportedly interested in adding a starting pitcher. 

The Yankees could absolutely use help at catcher after inconsistent seasons from Gary Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka. Sanchez slashed .204/.307/.423 with 23 home runs and 54 RBI in 2021. He also remains a defensive liability. Higashioka was even worse, hitting .181/.246/.389 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI. 

Sanchez has popped up in trade rumors in each of the last four seasons, and New York's desire to upgrade at the position has been known for a long time. However, it's unclear which players the Yankees might be targeting. 

Yan Gomes, Martin Maldonado, Stephen Vogt and Sandy Leon are among the catchers currently headed for free agency. Christian Vazquez, Mike Zunino and Roberto Perez could hit the open market if their club options are declined. 

As for center field, the Yankees could use an upgrade from Brett Gardner, who is far removed from his 2017 21-homer season. During the 2021 season, he hit .222/.327/.362 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI. 

New York also used Aaron Judge and Tyler Wade in CF at points last season. 

Ian Desmond, Starling Marte and Kevin Pillar are among the centerfielders available on the open market. However, it's unclear if the Yankees are interested. 

The Yankees actually had one of the better pitching staffs in 2021, with a 3.74 ERA, which was sixth-best in baseball. However, they could use depth behind Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery, with Corey Kluber entering free agency and Jameson Taillon recovering from an ankle injury. It's also important to mention that Luis Severino is an injury risk, which further jeopardizes New York's depth.  

There are several talented free-agent starting pitchers available, too, including Zack Grienke, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Marcus Stroman and Kevin Gausman. 

Red Sox focusing on bullpen depth, but in the market for a shortstop?

The Boston Red Sox will reportedly focus on improving their bullpen this winter, according to Bowden. However, they "also could be a sleeper in the shortstop market," Bowden adds. 

"Don't get me wrong, they love Xander Bogaerts," Bowden writes. "The thinking is they could sign a shortstop and move him to second base, or perhaps even consider moving Bogaerts there." 

The Red Sox bullpen was inconsistent throughout the 2021 season. It ranked eighth in strikeout percentage (25.6 percent) and 13th with a 3.99 ERA, according to The Boston Globe, but had the sixth-highest walk rate (10.8 percent) and seventh-worst WHIP (1.39). 

Boston could lose Garrett Richards, Adam Ottavino and Hansel Robles in free agency, while Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes, Hirokazu Sawamura, Josh Taylor, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are among the relievers set to return. 

Regardless of who walks and who returns, the Red Sox have needed bullpen help for a while. Luckily, there are many talented relievers available, including Trevor Rosenthal, Andrew Miller, Craig Kimbrel, Joe Kelly and Brad Hand. 

Boston reportedly had its eyes on Hand, Alex Colome and Joakim Soria before the 2021 season. Colome and Soria will be free agents this winter.

As for shortstop, Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120 million deal in 2019, but he has the ability to opt out after the 2022 season, and he reportedly plans to do so, according to ESPN's Joon Lee. So, it's no surprise the team is interested in adding some insurance at the position.

The Red Sox have no shortage of options, either. Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Javier Baez and Andrelton Simmons are among the players set to hit the open market. However, they'll face some tough competition for any of those players.