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MLB: The 5 Best Free Agent Signings So Far

By Bobby Mueller

Apr 13, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames hits a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames hits a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the tenth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the tenth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

After numerous MLB players signed free agent deals in the offseason, let’s take a look at the five best free agent signings so far.

The free agent signings this past offseason were much more subdued than the year before. In the 2015-2016 offseason, MLB teams signed seven players to contracts worth $110 million or more, including two contracts worth over $200 million (David Price and Zack Greinke). Prior to this year, only Yoenis Cespedes signed a deal worth more than $100 million.

One big difference was the lack of top tier starting pitchers. After David Price, Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann, Jeff Samardzija, Wei-Yin Chen, and Mike Leake all signed for $80 million or more in the 2015-2016 offseason, the highest-priced free agent starting pitcher signed before this season was Rich Hill, for three years and $48 million.

There was considerable cash doled out to top tier relievers, though. Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon all signed for $60 million or more. Outfielder Dexter Fowler left the Chicago Cubs for the rival St. Louis Cardinals thanks to a 5-year, $82.5 million deal. Ian Desmond got $70 million for five years to play in the hitter’s paradise of Colorado. Infielders Justin Turner and Edwin Encarnacion signed deals worth $64 and $60 million, respectively.

From the bargain bin, there are a few players off to good starts this year who were signed as free agents to minor league contracts, including Mark Reynolds, Anthony Swarzak, and Bud Norris. With most teams having played around 30 games, it’s time to take an early look at the deals inked before this year and determine which have worked out well so far. Here are the five best free agent signings (through the first 30-ish games of the season).

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