Grading the 10 richest free-agent contracts signed this winter
Major League Baseball shelled out more than $1.3 billion on free agency this offseason, though whether or not that financial commitment will pay dividends remains to be seen.
With all the big names off the board and spring training games getting underway Friday, let's take a look at the 10 highest-priced deals of the winter and judge which were the best for the clubs that signed them.
10) Rich Hill, Dodgers
Contract: 3 years, $48 million
The Dodgers were so smitten by Rich Hill in his three-month stay at the end of last season, that they rewarded the veteran journeyman with the richest free-agent contract for a starting pitcher this winter. Hill has arguably been one of the best starters in the majors the last two seasons, posting a 2.00 ERA over 24 outings, though durability has been a major concern and should remain so. The soon-to-be 37-year-old missed significant time with a recurring blister in 2016 and has only thrown more than 100 innings twice in his 12-year career. The Dodgers have roughly $40 million committed to injury-prone starters (Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu) in 2017, so rolling the dice on Hill is a gamble, no matter how deep their pockets are.
Grade: B
9) Josh Reddick, Astros
Contract: 4 years, $52 million
Josh Reddick's eyes must have lit up when his agent said the Astros had a four-year, $52-million offer on the table in late November. The good, but not great, corner outfielder landed the sixth-richest contract among position players this winter and capitalized by signing early, before the market crashed for others. The 29-year-old only has one 20-homer campaign over the last four years and has missed an average of 40 games per season over that span. He offers a little bit of speed and a solid glove while ranking as a slightly above-average hitter. The Astros were eager to add offense when they signed Reddick, but they might have been better served by being patient and getting a better bat, or waiting until his price came down.
Grade: C
8) Edwin Encarnacion, Indians
Contract: 3 years, $60 million
In what could be the steal of the winter, the Indians inked Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60-million deal, representing a major play in the reigning American League champs' bid to repeat. Encarnacion has averaged 39 home runs and 110 RBIs while appearing in 145 games over the last five seasons. He's a capable defender at first base, giving the club some versatility in the field. Though his strikeouts drastically spiked in 2016, Encarnacion still boasts a .357 on-base percentage due to walking a career-high 87 times. The Indians needed a middle-of-the-order presence. They got one in the form of one of baseball's most consistent power threats, and they did it for just under half what the Mets paid Yoenis Cespedes.
Grade: A+
7) Mark Melancon, Giants
Contract: 4 years, $62 million
The Giants' bullpen was a complete disaster last season, blowing a major-league-leading 30 saves in 73 opportunities for a dismal 58.9 percent conversion rate. General manager Bobby Evans made adding a top-tier closer his primary goal this winter, and achieved it by inking Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62-million deal. Reliable late-inning relief is becoming a major key to success in today's MLB, so adding an established arm like Melancon is an excellent move. The right-hander owns a 1.80 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over the last four seasons and proved he can pitch outside of Pittsburgh with his success in Washington.
Grade: A
6) Justin Turner, Dodgers
Contract: 4 years, $64 million
The Dodgers locked up one of their key offensive weapons with a five-year, $64-million deal, making Justin Turner the fifth-highest-paid third baseman in the majors in terms of average annual value. Turner's career took off in Chavez Ravine and he established himself as one of the most undervalued players in the majors - at least, until he signed this deal. The Dodgers certainly absorb some risk with the late bloomer, but are comfortable given the success he's achieved in house. With so few good options at third base, bringing back the 32-year-old was necessary, even if it was expensive.
Grade: B+
5) Ian Desmond, Rockies
Contract: 5 years, $70 million
The front office for the National League's highest-scoring offense made an interesting decision this winter: committing $70 million and forfeiting a draft pick to sign Ian Desmond to play first base, a position he's never experienced at any level professionally. The addition of Desmond gives the Rockies arguably the best lineup in the NL and a strong defensive core, though some would argue their resources could have been better allocated to the pitching staff - or the club could have at least flipped one of its abundance of outfielders for starting help. The Rockies won't have a problem scoring runs in 2017, though that hasn't been their problem in the past.
Grade: B
4) Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
Contract: 5 years, $80 million
The Dodgers couldn't afford to let Kenley Jansen go, and they certainly paid to keep him around. The 29-year-old cashed in with a five-year, $80-million contract - the second-richest deal for a reliever in major-league history. Jansen has been one of the most effective closers in baseball since taking over the role in 2012, posting a 2.22 ERA and 0.86 WHIP while converting 180 saves. He's coming off a career year in which he managed a 1.83 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts across 68 2/3 innings.
Grade: A-
3) Dexter Fowler, Cardinals
Contract: 5 years, $82.5 million
Dexter Fowler turned a career year with the Cubs into a lucrative deal with the division-rival Cardinals, getting $82.5 million over five years to handle center field and leadoff duties for St. Louis. The 30-year-old's speed, defense, and on-base skills will play well for the Cardinals as they try to return to the postseason, and the addition of the 2016 All-Star should go a long way toward helping them succeed in years one and two of his deal. There should, however, be major concerns as Fowler progresses to year three, four, and five. He's averaged only 129 games over his last four seasons and has reached the 150-game plateau just once in his nine-year career.
Grade: B+
2) Aroldis Chapman, Yankees
Contract: 5 years, $86 million
The Yankees proved they aren't completely reliant on a youth movement by bringing back closer Aroldis Chapman on the richest deal ever handed out to a reliever. Chapman, who helped net the Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres at the deadline, solidifies the back end of the bullpen for the next half-decade and gives the Yankees the best one-two relief punch in the majors when combined with Dellin Betances. The cost of adding Chapman was significant, but with the contracts of Mark Teixeira, and Carlos Beltran off the books, and the influx of young talent coming through the minors, the Yankees were smart to ink one of the best relievers in the majors long term.
Grade: A-
1) Yoenis Cespedes, Mets
Contract: 4 years, $110 million
The Mets wasted no time re-signing Yoenis Cespedes this winter, inking the Cuban slugger to a four-year, $110-million deal in late November that turned out to be the offseason's richest contract. Their desperation to retain the man who rejuvenated their offense 16 months prior made the club spend big - Cespedes is now the highest-paid outfielder by AAV in the majors. At the time, the contract seemed justified, but looking back, the Mets appear to have been bidding against themselves. Patience could have landed them a different star at less of a financial commitment, or a lack of outside interest may have driven Cespedes' price down. But the Mets believed they'd drop off significantly without their star, and, like two years ago, think he's the key piece to get them back to the World Series.
Grade: B+
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)