Disastrous Free Agent Signings

Background

In the mid 1970’s Baseball team owners and the ballplayers union agreed on a system of free agency. After six years of major league service a player can sell his services to the highest bidder. Until that time players were controlled totally by the owners and could not change teams unless traded or released. Free agency resulted in significantly higher player salaries, now as high as $30 million per year.

It’s baseball’s offseason, the ‘hot stove league.’ Teams look to improve themselves through trades and free-agent signings. Sometimes signing a free agent works out, sometimes it doesn’t. This week we will review some of the worst free agent signings of all time. These are easy to define - The player received a large contract and then played poorly.

The Worst Signings

The Boston Red Sox have had several clunkers. Their worst was the signing of an all-star third baseman regularly hit over 20 homeruns and received MVP consideration in several years. And he was deadly in the World Series, winning the World Series MVP one year and hitting over .400 in another. He signed a 5-year 95-million-dollar deal with the Red Sox.  What did they new team get? His worst season for power and average. And then he got hurt, playing only 35 games over the next two years before being released.

Who was this player?

a)      Brooks Robinson
b)      Kris Byrant
c)      Pablo Sandoval
d)      George Brett

The Red Sox followed that up with another winner. They signed a speedy all-star outfielder. This player was a perennial league leader in triples and stolen bases. And he also hit some homeruns and batted over .300. Boston awarded him a 7-year 142 million dollar contract. The result? Two years of below average production and injuries. He only played two years for Boston before being traded away.

Guess this player?

a)       Babe Ruth
b)      Carl Crawford
c)       Mike Trout
d)      Bryce Harper

The Colorado Rockies have had their share of busts. Two in the same year! In the first, they signed a pitcher who was one of the best in baseball, finishing second the Cy Young award for best pitcher. His Earned Run Average frequently was better than 3.50. The Rockies gave him an 8-year 121 million dollar deal. The result? His ERA sored to over 5.5 runs per 9 innings as he became one of the worst pitchers in the baseball. He lasted only 2 years with the Rockies before being traded.

The player?

a)      Garrit Cole
b)      Trevor Bauer
c)      Bartolo Colon
d)     Mike Hampton

The second player signed by the Rockies also was a pitcher. He had finished as high as third in the Cy Young voting for best pitcher and appeared in several all-star games. Colorado awarded him a 5-year $51 million dollar contract. His ERA rocketed up to almost 6 runs (per 9 innings). After three awful years he was injured then charged with soliciting a prostitute. His career was over.

And who was this?

a)      Denny Neagle
b)      Randy Johnson
c)      Barry Zito
d)      Carl Pavano

Why would any team sign an outfielder who hits .250 and strikes out over 150 times a season? I don’t know but Atlanta did - 5-years, 72 million dollars. He was epically bad for his new team, averaging .198 over the next two seasons. They traded him away for little in return.

I’m sure everyone can get this one:

a)       Justin Upton
b)      Melvin Upton
c)       Bill Upton
d)      Tom Upton

This list of poor signings is dreadfully long. Let’s end with this one, generally considered the worst free agent signing ever. The California Angels had the opportunity to sign a 5-time all-star. He was an MVP winner. Led the league in batting one-year and runs batted in (RBI) in another year. Consistently good, year in and year out. A sure thing. His 5-year 125 million dollar deal made him one of the highest paid players at the time. The result, 2-years that were the worst in his career. The Angels then traded him back to his original team, but continued paying the bulk of his salary. Which means the Angels were paying for player to play against them!

a)       Ichiro Suzuki
b)      Alpert Pujols
c)       Miguel Cabrera
d)      Josh Hamilton

 Conclusion

The best I can say is that past performance is no guarantee when it comes to baseball player performance. And I’m glad it’s not my money.

Answers to the quiz:

1)      The Boston Red Sox signed third baseman Pablo Sandoval
2)      The Boston Red Sox signed outfielder Carl Crawford
3)      The Colorado Rockies signed pitcher Mike Hampton
4)      The Colorado Rockies signed pitcher Danny Neagle
5)      The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Melvin Upton
6)      The California Angels signed outfielder Josh Hamilton