MLB’s Free Agent Crop Has Been Generally Disappointing

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Abstract

os Correa was involved in a lot of contact turmoil, mostly connected with his medical reports. Well, Correa hasn’t produced his usual numbers thus far, compiling an OPS of .708 with a WAR of 1.1. I think it’s safe to assume the Twins were hoping for more.Xander Bogaerts, he of the 11-year contract is having a decent season with the bat and has strong defensive metrics. Still, the numbers are good, not great. The question is how long before that contract looks bad. And will it hamstring the Padres down the line.As for Trea Turner, he is having the toughest time of all four of the premier shortstops. Fortunately, the fans in Philly are very patient. Right. An OPS of .674 isn’t going to cut it. Turner has a career OPS of .824. Turner signer an 11-year deal good for $300 million. I suspect some buyer’s remorse might be setting in.<h2 id="c479">A lesson in why high-priced pitchers are a dangerous proposition</h2>Carlos Rondon was the prize left-handed starter on the free agent market. He signed with the Yankees for six years at$ 162 million. Thus far he’s pitched 20.1 innings with an ERA of 5.75 and a record of 1–3. Based on Rodon’s past health issues, he doesn’t look like a good investment.

Options

Justin Verlander has done fairly well after a rough start. He has gone 5–5 with a 3.54 ERA. Not bad, but probably not worth the over $43 million due Verlander this season and next.When healthy, Jacob deGrom is one f the best pitchers in baseball, but that “when healthy” caveat is huge. deGrom signed a five-year year, $180 million dollar contact. After pitching 30.1 innings, de Grom had to curtail his season to undergo elbow surgery. He hopes to make it back before the end of the 2024 season. $180 million doesn’t buy what it used to.Then there are the slugging first basemenLeading the way in this category were Josh Bell, who signed with the Guardians, and Jose Abreu, who signed with the Astros. Abreu in particular struggled mightily in the early part of the season. His 3-year, $60 million dollar contract is looking cumbersome now. Bell has also not provided the offensive punch the Guardians were looking for.What to make of itAre you disappointed because your team missed out on a big-time free agent? Don’t be. They might can pick up last year’s model at a lower cost or overspend in next year’s free agent market.</article></body>

MLB’s Free Agent Crop Has Been Generally Disappointing

Especially at the top end.

Creative Commons: Keith Allison

The 2023 crop of MLB was highly anticipated. The bidding for the upper crust of the group exceeded the even high expectations of most pundits. Now, about 60% into the season the early returns are in, and they aren’t promising for return on investment. The 2023 class of free agents was headlined by Aaron Judge, four standout shortstops and some high-end starting pitchers. You could probably trade for a lot of these guys at a reduced price now. Sort of like a free agent after market.

Let’s take a look at what is going on with this high-priced group.

The four shortstops of the spending apocalypse

Of course, the big four were Dansby Swanson, Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts. Of those four, Swanson has pretty much been as advertised, a decent to good offensive player who plays gold glove defense. The other three have had things a little tougher.

Carlos Correa was involved in a lot of contact turmoil, mostly connected with his medical reports. Well, Correa hasn’t produced his usual numbers thus far, compiling an OPS of .708 with a WAR of 1.1. I think it’s safe to assume the Twins were hoping for more.

Xander Bogaerts, he of the 11-year contract is having a decent season with the bat and has strong defensive metrics. Still, the numbers are good, not great. The question is how long before that contract looks bad. And will it hamstring the Padres down the line.

As for Trea Turner, he is having the toughest time of all four of the premier shortstops. Fortunately, the fans in Philly are very patient. Right. An OPS of .674 isn’t going to cut it. Turner has a career OPS of .824. Turner signer an 11-year deal good for $300 million. I suspect some buyer’s remorse might be setting in.

A lesson in why high-priced pitchers are a dangerous proposition

Carlos Rondon was the prize left-handed starter on the free agent market. He signed with the Yankees for six years at $162 million. Thus far he’s pitched 20.1 innings with an ERA of 5.75 and a record of 1–3. Based on Rodon’s past health issues, he doesn’t look like a good investment.

Justin Verlander has done fairly well after a rough start. He has gone 5–5 with a 3.54 ERA. Not bad, but probably not worth the over $43 million due Verlander this season and next.

When healthy, Jacob deGrom is one f the best pitchers in baseball, but that “when healthy” caveat is huge. deGrom signed a five-year year, $180 million dollar contact. After pitching 30.1 innings, de Grom had to curtail his season to undergo elbow surgery. He hopes to make it back before the end of the 2024 season. $180 million doesn’t buy what it used to.

Then there are the slugging first basemen

Leading the way in this category were Josh Bell, who signed with the Guardians, and Jose Abreu, who signed with the Astros. Abreu in particular struggled mightily in the early part of the season. His 3-year, $60 million dollar contract is looking cumbersome now. Bell has also not provided the offensive punch the Guardians were looking for.

What to make of it

Are you disappointed because your team missed out on a big-time free agent? Don’t be. They might can pick up last year’s model at a lower cost or overspend in next year’s free agent market.