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Grading the 2019 MLB season free agent signings

By Bill Felber

CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 2: John Middleton, Philadelphia Phillies managing parter, shakes hands with Bryce Harper as general manager Matt Klentak looks on during the press conference introducing Harper as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday March 2, 2019 at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 2: John Middleton, Philadelphia Phillies managing parter, shakes hands with Bryce Harper as general manager Matt Klentak looks on during the press conference introducing Harper as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday March 2, 2019 at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Grading the 2019 MLB season free agent signings

American League East

New York’s under-the-radar signing of D J LeMahieu, who could win the American League batting title, was, in retrospect, a brilliant move, even at the fairly extravagant price of $12 million. He has returned 3.3 Wins Above Average, the fourth-highest total among all free agents. The Yankees also scored with the re-signing of Brett Gardner, who returned 1.6 WAA on his $7.5 million deal.

The knock on New York’s free-agent season was the cumulative $69.16 million they spent on a dozen free agents, an amount that is almost impossible to cost-justify. Almost all of that went to a half dozen players who got deals valued at $7.5 million each or more, some of whom – C.C. Sabathia and J.A. Happ come to mind – simply weren’t worth it.

The Rays made only one free agent move of consequence, but that one – the signing of pitcher Charlie Morton for $15 million – was well worth it. Morton produced 2.9 WAA, fifth-best in the 2018-19 class. The Rays spent a little more than one-quarter of what the Yankees laid out for free agents but got two-thirds as much value, which amounts to quality value shopping.

Boston laid out $23.41 million for five free agents and got nothing from any of them. That failure played a significant role in the team’s fall out of post-season contention.

The Toronto Blue Jays had an active winter, signing nine free agents, and like Boston got little value in return. The most productive was probably Matt Shoemaker, who in a $3.5 million deal made just five starts before being injured.

Baltimore’s new management laid low over the winter, preferring to develop its farm options. The Orioles spent just $1.65 million on free agents – easily the least in the majors – the only signing of any significance being starter Nate Karns.

Division grades:

  • Tampa Bay – Net ROI: A-; Gross ROI: A-; GPA: A-.
  • Baltimore – Net ROI: A; Gross ROI: C: GPA: B
  • Toronto – Net ROI: B-; Gross ROI: B-; GPA: B-
  • New York – Net ROI: D; Gross ROI: A; GPA: C+
  • Boston – Net ROI: D; Gross ROI: C-; GPA: C-
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