What’s next for baseball after lockdown ends?

with MLB and the union end lockout, what’s next in baseball? Here are six things that will happen now that the barriers are down.

Free Agents

There are still a few hundred. If history holds, about 60 points will sign major league contracts and more points will sign minor league contracts. Carlos Correa and Freddie Freeman will be the highlight names, followed by a next level like Kris Bryant, Trevor Story, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber, not to mention Zack Greinke, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw.

trade

The talks had to be interrupted because of the lockouts. But before that, the grassroots work has been done and the key team to watch is Oakland. The A’s are expected to make big moves, possibly with their corner infielders Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, and their top three starters in Chris Bassit, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas.

Arbitration

There are about 125 cases that need to be settled or go to a hearing. The biggest names and dollars are likely to flow to the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, the Nationals’ Juan Soto and the Dodgers’ Trea Turner.

Rule 5 Draft

This usually takes place on the last day of the winter meetings in December, but these meetings have been canceled due to the lockout. Teams will have the opportunity to select those who meet the criteria and have not been included in a 40-man roster. Last year, for example, the Red Sox snapped up valuable helper Garrett Whitlock from the Yankees.

injury recovery

Teams were not allowed to oversee rehabilitation efforts during the lockout. As a result, clubs need to familiarize themselves with where each of their injured players is and what their physical plans were.

Bring players to camp

This will be most difficult for those coming from abroad, particularly those who have not worked with their teams and done the legwork necessary to set up visas before the lockout.