In MLB Free Agency Sometimes Winners are Losers
Some of last year’s “winners” may be having second thoughts.
Our long national nightmare will soon be over. Shoehei Ohtani will announce which team he will allow to give him a boatload of money. And fans of said team will cut loose with great rejoicing. But that might be a little premature. Seldom does the signing of a big-time free agent to a multi-year deal work out. Last year was a huge year for high profile free agents. And a year later, a lot of those signing don’t look too good.
Here’s a quick look at some of last year’s big free agent signings and how they look today.
Carlos Rodon: Carlos signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees. Rodon pitched 64.1 innings for the Yankees and went 3–8 with an ERA of 6.85. His future is cloudy. Whoever missed out on this signing probably feels pretty good.
Jacob de Grom: Jacob signed with the Rangers for five years and $185 million. Jacob was great for the Rangers. For all 30.1 innings he pitched. Jacob underwent reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. If all goes well, he hopes to return to action in the latter part of the 2024 season. Once again, whoever didn’t sign him may have dodged a bullet.
Justin Verlander: Justin signed a two-year deal with the Mets for $86.7 million. Verlander actually had a pretty good year with the Mets, and with the Astros after having been traded. The bottom line for Verlander’s 2023 season was a combined record of 13–8 with an ERA of 3.22. Plus, he was still a strikeout guy. While the contract was rich considering Verlander’s age, it doesn’t look that bad.
Aaron Judge: Judge signed with the Yankees for nine years at $360 million. Due to injury, Judge appeared in only 106 games for the Yankees, but was productive when in the lineup with an OPS of 1.019. This contract probably won’t wear well, but if it makes sense for any team, it would be the Yankees.
Trea Turner: Trea signed an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies. After a miserable start, Turner went on to post some decent numbers, hitting .266 with 26 homers and an OPS of .778. The contract doesn’t look great but looks better than it did early in the season.
Carlos Correa: Correa’s contract with the Twins has the potential to hit $245 million over seven years. While that’s a massive contract, Correa was looking at over $300 million before questions arose about his physical. Correa had, what was for him, an off year, hitting 18 home runs and compiling an OPS of .711. His WAR for the season was 1.4. Not a real good start. Even at a reduced rate, the Twins may be sweating this contract.
Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts contract was good for 11 years and $280 million. He actually put up a pretty good season in 2023, with a WAR of 4.4, hitting 19 homers and recording an OPS of .790. The question is how many of the last years of that contract will be bad. Xander is 31 now, so it could be a few.
Dansby Swanson: Dansby was the last of the four excellent free agent short stops in last season free agent class and looks to be the best value. Swanson signed for seven seasons at $177 million. Swanson tailed off in the later part of the season, but still put up a WAR of 4.8. He hit 22 homers and drove in 80 runs to go with an OPS of .744. His gold glove defense was a huge help for the Cubs. His contract looks pretty good.
So, whoever signs this year’s big free agents may, or may not be winners. Check back in a year.
New Pitch- Larry Needs Money
Larry is closing in on getting a cool $18 million from a Nigerian oil company. He just needs a little help from you. And he’s not even asking you for money.
Just by reading Larry’s stories for a mere 30 seconds, and then clapping and commenting on his stories you can help Larry cover the legal fees to collect his $18 million.
And after Larry collects his $18 million, we will see if he will stop talking in the third person.
