Before the Major League Baseball work stoppage, with team owners and player union representatives posturing like politicians, free-agency developments were happening at a breakneck pace.

The top pitcher on the market, Max Scherzer, agreed to a deal that will make him the oldest baseball player to sign a contract worth more than $100 million.

MLB

Buck Showalter leaves Mets ‘pretty impressed’ after first interview

The Texas Rangers agreed to pay both Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.

To say the least, it was entertaining to watch all of the movement while it lasted.

For this exercise, we'll take a look at players who should stay put. There is nothing quite like home cooking, whether it be a history or a performance at a particular ballpark or a circumstance allowing a player to succeed there.

 

Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees

Anthony Rizzo was the same player in 49 games with the New York Yankees as he was in 92 with the Chicago Cubs last season. His OPS was slightly down, actually, from .792 to .768.

According to Bob Klapisch of NJ.com, Rizzo wants to return to New York, but it's unclear whether that interest is mutual by the Yankees, who would be understandably hesitant to pay a lot of money to a 32-year-old after a down season.

Luke Voit and DJ LeMahieu are the Yankees' other options at first base, but Rizzo would clearly be a better one.

Even if Rizzo's Yankee Stadium career slash line of .247/.343/.382 is not all that impressive, the four-time Gold Glove Award winner makes the team better defensively.

Unless he's headed back to Chicago, where the Cubs could also be big spenders, Rizzo's best payday chances are in New York.

 

Kyle Schwarber, Boston Red Sox

Kyle Schwarber saw an uptick in production once he was traded from the Washington Nationals to the Boston Red Sox last season.

He hit .253/.340/.570 in 72 games and 303 plate appearances for the Nationals. For the Red Sox, his slash line improved to .291/.435/.522 with a .957 OPS.

It is clear Schwarber enjoys hitting at Fenway Park, as his career slash line there is .316/.455/.570 with a 1.024 OPS.

With a swing like his, he fits in anywhere. But if the Red Sox were to make the right offer, he should stay there and take another crack at an American League pennant.