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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 Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Grading the 2019 MLB season free agent signings

National League East

NL East teams poured more than $159 million into the winter free-agent market — the most of any division — and that includes the Miami Marlins, who did little. The other four teams, all envisioning themselves as contenders, averaged a $38 million layout on free agent talent.

Washington’s signing of Patrick Corbin did not merit headlines commensurate with the pursuits of Manny Machado or Bryce Harper, but it has turned out to be the second most productive free-agent signing of the 2019 MLB season. Corbin has produced a 4.0 WAA on a $12.9 million deal. The Nats also scored with their pickup of Anibal Sanchez, who at $8 million produced 2.0 WAA. At the same time, the Nats spent a division-high $45 million, a fact that tempers the overall assessment of them.

Harper returned 1.7 WAA on the $11.53 he got from the Phillies. That may over the length of the deal prove to be a brilliant investment. But considering the 2019 NL East alone, Harper was only the fourth most valuable free-agent signee, behind Corbin, Sanchez and Josh Donaldson.

The Braves gambled on Donaldson’s health, investing $23 million in their third baseman. At 3.7 WAA they likely were not disappointed. Their mid-season signing of Dallas Keuchel also has been productive, Keuchel delivering 1.6 WAA to date on his $14 million salaries.

The Mets will look back on their signings as a series of largely wasted investments. They signed 11 players – among them relievers Jeurys Familia and Justin Wilson, catcher Wilson Ramps, and infielder Jed Lowrie at a cumulative $28 million-plus — among whom only Ramos proved helpful.

The Marlins made only two moves of note, and neither Neil Walker nor Sergio Romo has been a factor.

Grades

  • Atlanta – Net ROI: C; Gross ROI: A-; GPA B
  • Philadelphia – Net ROI: C; Gross ROI: B; GPA: B-
  • Washington—Net ROI D; Gross ROI B; GPA: C
  • Miami – Net ROI: B-; Gross ROI: C-; GPA: C
  • New York – Net ROI: D; Gross ROI: C-; GPA: D+
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