Among AL West GMs, Houston Astros Jeff Luhnow rules

Jon Daniels, Texas Rangers

The impact of one superb move rescued Jon Daniels’ rating.

In December, Daniels signed Lance Lynn to a three-year, $30 million deal. Across a combined 29 appearances the previous season for the Twins and Yankees, Lynn had managed an ordinary 10-10 record and 4.77 ERA, translating to a -0.5 WAA.

Needless to say, the Lynn signing made few national waves. But it looks a lot more profound today following the veteran right-hander’s delivery of a 16-11 record and 3.67 ERA in 33 starts for Texas.

Lynn produced a 5.7 WAA for the Rangers, far and away the most impactful season of his eight-year career.

It was also virtually the only constructive step Daniels took to impact the 2019 team. The other 39 players – yes, 39 – imported by Daniels either by trade, sale, waiver claim, free agency or callup – netted -7.9 games of WAA to the cause. Only one-third of them generated positive value, none greater than the +0.6 produced by Danny Santana and Hunter Pence.

Robinson Chirinos left Texas for Houston, where he produced a +2.3 WAA for the champion Astros. Daniels replaced Chirinos with veteran Jeff Mathis, who is known for his defense. But Mathis batted just .158 and generated -2.4 WAA. From Chirinos to Mathis is a 4.7 game negative swing at that one position.

Short-term acquisitions: -3.0

Short-term trade losses: 0.0

Short-term free agent signings: +1.1

Short-term free agent losses: -2.0

Short-term rookie production: -0.3

Short-term total: -4.2