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As Nathan Eovaldi buzzed through the Yankees in Tuesday’s AL wildcard game, he provided an example of how a free agent contract can age.
Eovaldi played in the 2018 playoffs for champion Red Sox and was rewarded with a four-year, $ 68 million pact – the fourth biggest for all players this offseason and the second for all pitchers. In Season 1 of his six-year, $ 140 million pact, Patrick Corbin was instrumental in ensuring the Nationals win their first World Series in 2019.
There was a feeling the moment Corbin signed – I know I had it – that the Yankees had blown him up by not making big bids on the southpaw, who grew up as a fan of the team. But since then, of the 94 pitchers who made at least 30 starts between 2020-21, Corbin’s 5.50 ERA is the sixth-worst of the majors. Washington probably wouldn’t reverse the decision to sign Corbin, as the championships are forever. But the Nationals are hoping for yet another turn in the final three years of this deal.
Eovaldi has seen such a rebound since a 2019 season full of injuries and failures (5.79 ERA). Eovaldi has been good in the shortened 2020 season and was the Red Sox’s best starter this year before even helping oust the Yankees. And if Boston put him on the market now with a year and $ 17 million left, there would be a long line of suitors.
So remember that this review of the top 10 free agent class contracts from the last offseason – before I get to a more in-depth group this year – is a one-year snapshot:
1. George Springer (six years, $ 150 million)
Even after Springer’s three spells on the injured list in 2021, the Blue Jays would not rescind the deal. In the 78 games played by Springer, he was exceptional, as always: he made 22 home runs, a .904 OPS, and had some familiar moments. None of his leg injuries appear chronic. Springer has a career similar to that of Bernie Williams.
JT Realmuto (five years, $ 115 million)
We could view Steve Cohen’s first offseason as owner of the Mets as a missed opportunity. The Mets didn’t go for Springer or Realmuto, but instead traded assets for Francisco Lindor, then gave him a 10-year extension of $ 341 million and signed James McCann for four years at $ 40 million. It’s interesting to wonder what would have happened with the 2021 Mets if they had just used up enough Cohen’s money at the top of the market.
Instead, the Phillies retained Realmuto, who had a terrific season alongside players who could win the NL MVP (Bryce Harper) and Cy Young (Zack Wheeler), and Philadelphia finished just 82- 80 and out of the playoffs for a 10th consecutive year. .
3. Trevor Bauer (three years, $ 102 million)
It could have been a lot worse for the Mets – they had the highest bid here. But Bauer preferred to return to his Southern California roots with an almost sure winner. Bauer was charged with sexual assault, was first put on administrative leave on July 2, and has not played in majors since. His legal issues are still unresolved, and there’s a good chance he’ll never show up for the Dodgers again and possibly reappear in the majors again.
4. DJ LeMahieu (six years, $ 90 million)
He was the Yankees’ only major pursuit last offseason. The parties eventually agreed on an amount that satisfied LeMahieu, who was initially trying to exceed $ 100 million, and that spanned six years to help the Yankees with the luxury tax in the short term. LeMahieu was almost the AL’s MVP in his first two seasons with the Yankees, but his OPS went from .922 (2019-20) to .711. There are few more prominent hopes for the organization than the athletic hernia that sidelined LeMahieu late was a factor that held him back all year.
5. Marcell Ozuna (four years, $ 65 million)
It’s not a good idea for the sport that two of last year’s five biggest free agents ended up missing much of this season following domestic violence charges. Ozuna was arrested on May 29 for an alleged assault on his wife. The Braves brought back Ozuna after leading the NL, in the shortened 2020 season, in homers and RBIs. He was underperforming in 2021, then injured a finger, before the arrest. His legal case is not fully resolved and he still faces a potential MLB suspension.
6. Liam Hendriks (three years, $ 54 million)
If you take out the Yankees, who had seven runs (won six) with three homers against Hendriks in a 3/4 inning over three outings, the right-hander would probably be in play for one of the best relief seasons of all. time. Even including the numbers against the Yankees, Hendriks was third in majors for relief strikeout percentage (43.3) and second for lowest walk percentage (2.6) while maintaining batters. at an average of 0.174. He was worth every penny at the White Sox.
7. James McCann (four years, $ 40 million)
The White Sox didn’t keep their backup receiver, who was paid by the Mets as a frontline receiver, and with a full workload he could have shown he’s a backup receiver. His offense, which improved in two seasons at Chicago, returned to the kingdom well below the average of his Tigers years. McCann was good defensively. The Mets spent lavishly last offseason on a starting receiver and may still need a starting receiver.
8. Justin Turner (two years, $ 34 million)
The Dodgers were determined not to let go of such an important player and clubhouse voice, and Turner didn’t want to go. His eighth year as Dodger was familiar: he was productive and the team made it to the playoffs. I wonder if the success this year of hitters in their mid-thirties and older such as Turner, Brandon Crawford, Yuli Gurriel, Buster Posey and Joey Votto helps what has been a class under siege in recent years – the agent post. free older. player.
9. Michael Brantley (two years, $ 32 million)
Brantley, 34, was another older hitter who remained in the top flight even as his power waned. Here is the list of qualified players who have reached .300 or better in each of the last four seasons: Michael Brantley. End of list.
10. Didi Gregoirus (two years, $ 28 million)
There was a large subset of fans this year who emailed or tweeted me how much the Yankees missed Didi Gregorius or how they should have signed him last offseason. Here’s what I wondered every time: had any of them actually seen Gregorius play this year? He was tied for the seventh worst OPS-plus among players with 400 home plate appearances, and his defensive metrics were among the majors’ worst – worse than Gleyber Torres in short.
It’s so bad that even with $ 14 million left next season for Gregorius, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski wouldn’t guarantee him a starting job. Philadelphia needs him – like another ex-Yankee – to have an Eovaldi-esque bounce.
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