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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 23, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports. MLB.
Apr 23, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports. MLB. /

SP Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates

3-years, $26 million

1.3 FanGraphs WAR

1.7 Baseball-Reference WAR

3-3, 42 IP, 27 K, 1 BB, 2 HR, 2.14 ERA, 2.48 FIP

The Pittsburgh Pirates traded for Ivan Nova last August 1 for a player to be named later, which turned out to be minor leaguer Tito Polo. Nova had a 4.90 ERA with the Yankees at the time of the trade but improved immensely after arriving in Pittsburgh. In his final 11 starts of the season, Nova posted a 3.06 ERA. He was granted free agency in November. About seven weeks later, Nova signed a three-year deal with the Pirates to remain in Pittsburgh.

Whatever magic was spun to make Nova a good starting pitcher last year has carried over into the 2017 season. Through his first six starts, Nova has a 2.14 ERA that is backed up by a 2.48 FIP. The change in Nova has been remarkable. Since joining the Pirates, he has simply refused to walk anyone and greatly cut down on his home runs allowed. Consider the numbers pre-Pittsburgh and with the Pirates:

Ivan Nova, with the Yankees:

53-39, 4.41 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 1.39 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 2.3 K/BB

Ivan Nova, with the Pirates:

8-5, 2.70 ERA, 2.56 FIP, 1.01 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 0.3 BB/9, 19.8 K/BB

In 106 2/3 innings with the Pirates, Nova has struck out 79 batters and walked just four. This season, he has one walk in 42 innings. Amazingly, that one walk was against an American League pitcher batting in a National League Park, the Yankees Jordan Montgomery, and it was in Montgomery’s first major league plate appearance.

Nova is well on his way to being worth the three-year contract he signed with the Pirates. He could be another Ray Searage success story. We’ll have to see how the rest of the season plays out, but right now Nova is the second-best free agent signing of the offseason.

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