The Biggest Bargains In Baseball
In the age of nine-figure contracts and billion-dollar TV deals, it’s becoming harder and harder to find bargain deals. These five players are just a few examples of some of the biggest bargains in baseball.
Last winter, some of the biggest free agents signed deals for over $200 million(David Price, Zack Greinke), while others opted for shorter deals with average annual values of over $25 million. In recent years, however, some teams have made some savvy free agent signings and contract extensions that look great in hindsight.
These hidden gems can make a huge difference in the fortunes of a team. In signing what, in retrospect, turns out to be a team friendly extension, they have helped their teams be able to get additional pieces in an attempt to either rebuild or contend. Of course, it helps that these players are greatly outproducing their contracts.
This list will consist of a variety of player types, but they all have one thing in common: a great contract. Players who are making the Major League minimum that haven’t yet reached arbitration aren’t included in this, since there are so many valuable players in that category. This list isn’t a complete collection of every team-friendly contract in baseball, but these are five players with high production for little cost.
Next: MVP Candidate in Houston
Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
2016 Salary: $3.5 million(source: cbssports.com)
2016 Stats: 362 PA, .357/.432/.572, 13 HR, 4.4 WAR
Jose Altuve was never a top 100 prospect or hailed as a franchise savior, but he is producing at an MVP level this season. His 4.4 wins above replacement this season rank second in the league, only trailing Angels star Mike Trout. However, Trout is collecting $15.2 million this season, compared to Altuve’s meager salary of $3.5 million.
After his breakout season in 2012, Altuve signed a 4 year, $12.5 million extension with Houston in July 2013 including team options for 2018 and 2019. It was a bit of a gamble on the Astros’ part, as he was only making the Major League minimum at the time. The extension has certainly paid off for Houston, as Altuve has morphed into one of the most valuable players in the game.
This season, he is currently tied for the highest average in baseball with Washington’s Daniel Murphy. He provides a steady defensive presence at second base, and he owns a 1.004 OPS and 170 OPS+ this season to go along with 21 stolen bases. Altuve has been the do-it-all player for the Houston Astros this season, and he is right in the thick of the AL MVP race.
He will continue to be incredibly cheap for the Astros through 2018, making him easily one of the biggest bargains in baseball.
Next: Desert Star
Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2016 Salary: $5.8 million(source: mlbtraderumors.com)
2016 Stats: 356 PA, .298/.428/.512, 2.9 WAR
Even in a down year for him, Paul Goldschmidt is one of the most valuable first basemen in the league. His mark of 2.9 WAR is good enough for 22nd in baseball, and is tied with Anthony Rizzo for the best among first basemen. His .428 OBP is currently third in the league, only trailing David Ortiz and Jose Altuve. Goldschmidt’s 63 walks are second in the league, with only Bryce Harper ahead of him.
Prior to the 2013 season, he inked a 5-year, $32 million deal with the Diamondbacks including a $14.5 million team option for 2019. When he first signed, the public reaction was not all positive. Many ripped the Diamondbacks for the move, even though he had a productive 2012.
Since then, he has silenced the doubters. In the last three seasons, he’s posted 18 Wins Above Replacement, including a career high 7.7 last season. In both 2013 and 2015, he finished second in NL MVP voting. He’s set to earn $8.8 million next season and $11 million in 2018, providing an ultra team-friendly deal.
Next: North Side Slugger
Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
2016 Salary: $5 million(source: foxsports.com)
2016 Stats: 327 PA, .284/.407/.575, 2.9 WAR
He may be one of the old guys for the Chicago Cubs, but Anthony Rizzo is just as important of a part of the future as anyone else on the North Side. The 26-year-old is an anchor for this potent Cubs lineup, and he provides production in a number of ways. This season, he’s posting a career-high walk rate of 14.4%, almost a whole point higher than his strikeout rate(13.5%). His isolated power(.291) so far this season is a career high, also good enough for fifth in baseball. He’s currently on pace for career-highs in home runs and RBIs.
After acquiring Rizzo from the Padres in 2012, the Cubs signed him to a seven year, $41 million extension in May 2013, including team options for 2020 and 2021. He had a down year in 2013, but he broke out in 2014 and has remained one of the best first basemen in the game. Chicago will reap the benefits of the deal for years to come. They have arguably the best first baseman in the game at an incredibly low rate, and they have him under control through at least 2019.
Because his deal is so far below his market value, it gives the Cubs the payroll flexibility to add top free agents such as Jon Lester and Jason Heyward. Thanks to a great contract extension by management over three years ago, the Cubs have a perennial MVP candidate making only a fraction of his market value.
Next: South Side Southpaw
Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
2016 Salary: $9.2 million(source: Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com)
2016 Stats: 113.0 IP, 2.79 ERA, 2.7 WAR
After making his way to the Majors as a 21-year-old in 2010, Chris Sale has become one of the most feared starting pitchers in the game. This season, his 2.7 WAR ranks eighth among all starting pitchers. He’s striking out just shy of nine batters per nine innings. Sale’s thirteen wins are currently the most in the Majors. His WHIP sits at an incredible 0.98, good enough for sixth in the majors. He and Jose Quintana have been carrying the shaky White Sox rotation so far this season.
After a standout season in 2012, the White Sox signed Sale to a five year, $32.5 million contract, including team options for 2018 and 2019. Considering the price of elite starting pitchers on the open market, the White Sox are paying about a third of typical “ace money” this season.
This is what makes Sale such an attractive trade target. While pitchers past the age of 30 continue to earn $200 million deals, Sale is not only younger, but he is also on a vastly reduced rate through 2019. With one Win Above Replacement being worth roughly $7 million, Sale has already been worth $21.3 million this season, per Fangraphs.
Whether he continues to take the mound for the White Sox or becomes trade bait, Chris Sale is an incredible pitcher with an absolute steal of a contract.
Next: Bay Area Ace
Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
2016 Salary: $9.8 million(source: ESPN.com)
2016 Stats: 114.2 IP, 2.20 ERA, 2.5 WAR
It’s hard to believe that Madison Bumgarner is still entering his prime. It feels like the top-of-the-rotation anchor for the San Francisco Giants has been around forever, and he still hasn’t reached his 27th birthday.
He has already become an October legend and has been a part of three World Series titles. Bumgarner has the Giants looking like heavy contenders for the title this October. His 2.20 ERA ranks fifth in the Majors, and his 1.02 WHIP ranks tenth. Any team the Giants face in the playoffs are up for a test every fourth game because of him.
Bumgarner signed his extension with the Giants in April 2012, and it looks like a stroke of genius for the team looking back. He signed a 5-year, $35 million deal with team options for 2018 and 2019. He’s one of the top pitchers in the league, just now entering his prime, and making less than $10 million. Every other team in the league would kill to have him on their team.
Next: David Ortiz passes three Hall of Famers
Bumgarner is the key to the Giants’ World Series hopes this fall, and he’s being paid at an incredibly reasonable rate. The early contract extension has paid huge dividends for San Francisco thus far, and it will continue to do so for years to come.