Using Wins Above Replacement data from FanGraphs and contract info from Cot’s Baseball Contracts, I have determined the biggest free agent bargains and busts of the 2008 season (position players only). I did my best to calculate what the player was paid in 2008, including bonuses and incentives. Hopefully I didn’t miss anyone important; I used ESPN’s Free Agent Tracker.
Top Ten Bargains
- Willie Harris: +$14.6MM (paid $800K, worth $15.4MM)
- Jody Gerut: +$13.715MM
- Mike Cameron: +12.55MM
- Jorge Cantu: +$10.7MM
- Jerry Hairston Jr.: +10.375MM
- Milton Bradley: +10.3MM
- Eric Hinske: +$8MM
- Aaron Miles: +$6.9MM
- Rod Barajas: +$6.2MM
- Cesar Izturis: +$5.25MM
Top Ten Busts
- Andruw Jones: -$15.7MM (worth -$1.6MM, paid $14.1MM)
- Jose Guillen: -$11.1MM
- Jorge Posada: -$9.7MM
- Mike Lamb: -$9.4MM
- Corey Patterson: -$8MM
- Aaron Rowand: -$7.2MM
- Brad Wilkerson: -$6.9MM
- Omar Vizquel: -$6.5MM
- Torii Hunter: -$5.7MM
- Paul Lo Duca: -$5.1MM
A few notes…
- Fair Value Award goes to Sean Casey, who signed for and was worth $800K.
- Doug Melvin and the Brewers came out almost $20MM ahead with their signings of Cameron, Russell Branyan, and Jason Kendall. The Cardinals, Astros, and Rangers also did well on position player free agents.
- Ned Colletti and the Dodgers were the worst at a loss over $16MM, mostly due to Jones. The Giants, Twins, and Yankees also did not fare well on position players.
- The Nationals made a modest $1.2MM profit, because Jim Bowden’s Harris signing was negated by Lo Duca, Rob Mackowiak, Johnny Estrada, and Aaron Boone.
- Of the eight free agent hitters who cost $10MM or more in 2008, six did not earn their salary.
