Heyman's Latest: Best & Worst Free Agent Signings

The Angels are very happy with Abreu for $5M.

Some of these are obvious busts and bargains, but the rest are just fillers to make an article. Penny ranks above Wolf as a bargain signing? The stats don't tell that story. Manny a bust? Really?

He is only missing the best free agent signing of the off season when you consider money and production: Russell Branyan.

Yeah Manny's not a bust, I don't think anyone in the Dodgers org. would sign him if this would happen. Just bad luck for the Dodgers, not a bust.

I guess for now Manny is a bad signing, I have a feeling that answer will change in a few months.

If we're going pure value - how about Ronald Belisario? A minor league free agent to one of the best set up men in baseball.

Worst - Garrett Anderson. Although he only cost $2.5MM, he blows. Doesn't even seem to care about playing, and his defense is atrocious

"I guess for now Manny is a bad signing, I have a feeling that answer will change in a few months."

Yeah, it could go from bad to good, or from bad to horrible. It all depends on what happens when he returns from his steroid use suspension.

I agree that Heyman missed out on Branyan, Crede and Abreu.

Branyan is on pace for a 5.5-6.0 WAR season, Abreu is on pace for a 2.6-3.2 WAR season, and Crede is on pace for a 3.7-4.2 WAR season.

Some other guys that haven't been mentioned are Ronald Belisario, Adam Kennedy, Jeremy Affeldt, Jonny Gomes, Scott Podsednik, Andy Pettitte, Juan Rivera, Koji Uehara, and, get ready, Livan Hernandez.

Very quietly, Hernandez has actually posted a very solid 4.50 FIP. He hasn't pitched this well since 2005.

Has Griffey under worst but not Garret Anderson, AND doesn't include Branyan under best signings? Those lists are terrible.

i dont know if cc is a good signing so far. hes been mediocre and certainly not worth 20 mil a year

Adam kennedy, although he's played above expectations shouldn't be consider for this article, as for he was aquired via trade from the rays.

Heyman is a tool.

I would throw out Teixeira and CC. They were obviously going to be good and I think you need to take into account the contract numbers as well.

I would suggest Heyman look up Ivan Rodriguez's numbers (.254/.285/.402, 82 OPS+. How is that one of the best signings? Same goes to Eckstein. 271/331/344 isn't good. He should be making $800K anyway so I doubt it's a bargain. I do not buy into all the Eckstein hype. Randy Johnson is an average pitcher. Don't see how he's one of the best signings either.

As for worst, probably mentioned but Willie Bloomquist, Willy Taveras, and Adam Eaton need to be on it. I'd put AJ Burnett, too. He got WAY too much money and has been mediocre all year. If you want to point to his 2 games against the Mets, look at the 2 games against the Red Sox. Which 2 will have the most impact on the Yankees the most?

"I would throw out Teixeira and CC. They were obviously going to be good and I think you need to take into account the contract numbers as well."

Yeah, I agree with this.

How can they be among the best signings a couple months into deals that will eventually cost the Yankees about $340M?

I almost feel like Heyman just sat online and read mediocre articles written by borderline incompetent beat writers, and then compiled the list off the top of his head from that knowledge.

Can somebody just like, let Matthew Carruth take Heyman's job or something?

Let Heyman do the reporting and get the stories (he's good at that) but his analysis freaking sucks.

I agree with the comments on CC. While he's certainly a very good pitcher, he's not worth the money the Yankees are paying him right now. In a couple years I think they're really going to regret that contract.

I also don't get the problem with the Griffey signing. They're only paying him a couple million or so, and it's a one year deal mostly done as a nostalgia draw type of thing. He's not having a great year, but it's not like he's been absolutely horrible either.

Also, like I mentioned the other day on here, the funny thing is at the time the ESPN folks were saying what a great signing Bradley was for the Cubs.

"i agree with reality check about CC. Burnett's been dominant in his last starts, but its only a matter fo time before he gets injured. "

He has been good his last 2 starts but the Mets are without 3 of their best 4 hitters. He's been terrible against the AL East which is why the Yankees signed him.

"I almost feel like Heyman just sat online and read mediocre articles written by borderline incompetent beat writers, and then compiled the list off the top of his head from that knowledge."

He probably just looked at names too. Saw Ivan Rodriguez, thought "future HoFer" and assumed he'd be good. Saw Eckstein, buys into his hype, and assumes he's good, too.

"Can somebody just like, let Matthew Carruth take Heyman's job or something?

Let Heyman do the reporting and get the stories (he's good at that) but his analysis freaking sucks."

I wish. Heyman is horrible.

I just remembered. It's quite ironic that he says Adam Dunn is one of the best signings. I remember hearing him rag on Dunn b/c of his low BA, especially with RISP.

I really, really think Hendry should approach Bradley about going down to AAA.

This guy has gone from putting up excellent numbers over the last few years, especially considering how many games he plays per season (I'm not only talking Arlington, also Oakland and San Diego) to putting up awful defensive numbers and meh offensive numbers.

Although the Cubs have zero leverage here, except to bench him.

And, I don't understand why Lou uses him as a pinch hitter, ever, when his option vests with 75 games appeared in. Which he is very close to (I think he's at 56).

"I really, really think Hendry should approach Bradley about going down to AAA."

Make sure the gatorade cooler isn't in the room.

"So according to most here, CC and Teixiera can never be good signings because they were paid alot of money? Sounds about like the typical Yankee hate I would expect. Both of these dudes have been ridiculous."

I don't think that's the point. The point is that it is WAY too early to judge these contracts, because these guys are under contract for MANY more years.

And, the good performance was expected from these guys. Meeting expectations does not make a signing into the "best" signing of the season, exceeding expectations does. Everyone expected CC to pitch like an ace and Teixeira to hit awesomely.

Nobody was expecting Brad Penny to come back and pitch well. Nobody.

"On what planet is Brad Penny good and Sabathia not? "

The planet where Penny is making 5 mil and Sabathia is making 161 mil. Thats 155 million dollars more for one more win. Granted Sabathia's era is better but when it comes down to it the pitcher that gets his team wins is what matters more than era.

Wouldn't that be crazy if Sabathia made that $161M to pitch only one season in New York, just like Penny and the $5M he's making this year in Boston?

There's ZERO way to justify NOT playing Bradley for 75 games. If he were burried in AAA for the rest of the year they would have a major greivance on their hands. I still to this day can't understand why they choose Bradley for 3/30 mil. Juan Rivera would've been a better choice, even if it meant moving him or Soriano to RF.

There's ZERO way to justify NOT playing Bradley for 75 games. If he were burried in AAA for the rest of the year they would have a major greivance on their hands. I still to this day can't understand why they choose Bradley for 3/30 mil. Juan Rivera would've been a better choice, even if it meant moving him or Soriano to RF.

Or how about the blatant double-standard that Sweet Lou has held his players by? Big Z gets a little private talk when he blows up, but Bradley gets a public lashing for a similar situation? Why? Come on..
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Scribbs....I agree 100%. I said this on another subject post. If he were hitting well and the Cubs were playing better the reaction by Lou would've been different. At the least Lou is being passive agressive. Bradley should've been chewed out for the mental mistakes in the OF moreso than the destruction of dugout coolers..lol.

Set aside his history for a second. If he hit .330 and played on a 1st place team in Boston and his name was Youkilis would've been that big of a deal? Win/loss records have a lot to do with a guy being passionate and a "quarky" charachter vs a lunatic and a club cancer.

Wouldn't that be crazy if Sabathia made that $161M to pitch only one season in New York, just like Penny and the $5M he's making this year in Boston?

Posted by: scribbletone | June 28, 2009 at 12:41 PM

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Hahaha....Yeah..he acts as if CC were signed on a 1 year deal. 7-4 w/ a 3.55 ERA isn't lights out but it's not horrible either considering the slow start he had in April.

Glad to see there are at least a few knowledgeable posters here.

Russell Branyan has to be BY FAR the best free agent signing to this point. Considering money and production, he is on pace to hit well over 40 HRs and makes less than 2 million.

Ridiculous value.

Ibanez has to be right there but you have to take into account he is getting 10 million plus a year and will be under that contract through his 39th birthday.

scribbletone-

"Drafting Tyler Colvin: Part 2 with their first round pick this year?"

What makes you think Brett Jackson is Tyler Colvin part deux?

I'm not saying Bradley is worth the 3/30 but can we agree that with more at bats Bradley is more likely to be a .280/.360 hitter versus a .220/.320 hitter.

Also, let be real here....

Bradley- .236/.351 5 hrs in 174 at bats
Hoffpauir- .259/.303 7 hrs in 135 at bats

....Hoffpauir is not exactly lighting the world on fire.

Plus, Hoffpauir with more and more at bats is starting to trend downwards while Bradley, despite ZERO power in June is showing slight improvements from his slow April start.

Hoffpauir:
April- .303/.333 2 hrs/8 rbi
May- .270/.333 2 hrs/8 rbis
June- .205/.225 3 hrs/6 rbi

Bradley:
April- .118/.333 2 hrs/2 rbi
May- .268/.348 3 hrs/12 rbi
June- .259/.368 0 hrs/2 rbi

If the Cubs were throwing in the towel then I would say "play the kids" but if they want to contend then I think you have to give Bradley more at bats with the thinking that history has shown that, when healthy, he's a much, much better hitter than what he's shown and his replacement, Hoffpauir is far, far less dependable. I would think Pinella would prefer to go with the veteran despite the fact that he's probably a less superior defender than Hoffpauir.

"What makes you think Brett Jackson is Tyler Colvin part deux?"

Number one is my lack of faith in their ability to properly assess amateur talent, as their farm system is routinely at the bottom of the rankings.

Number two is that Jackson sounds an awful lot like Colvin did when he was their first round pick. A toolsy college center fielder with a decent, not great track record that needs to work on his hitting approach. It just sounds an awful lot like Colvin, although at least he's mashed in 25 AA games this year.

"3- I still have to fault Lou for using him as a PH though, ever, knowing about the options. I know "use the best options available," but Jake Fox languished in AAA for how long? I'm not anointing Fox a savior or something, but I'm saying that you don't drop your leverage for a few PH ABs."

That's one that really boggles my mind, too.

I found it to be odd strategy the way that Lou would bring in Bradley in place of Hoffpaiur or whoever was playing right, simply for one at bat.

What if Bradley manages to finish with like, 78 games played this year, even though he only had multiple at bats in 71 of them?

"There's ZERO way to justify NOT playing Bradley for 75 games. If he were burried in AAA for the rest of the year they would have a major greivance on their hands. I still to this day can't understand why they choose Bradley for 3/30 mil. Juan Rivera would've been a better choice, even if it meant moving him or Soriano to RF."

They chose Bradley on upside.

Everyone knew it.

It was a big time risk/reward situation, and Hendry went for it, rather than going after a more dependable guy like Dunn or Abreu.

Bradley has the ability to be an elite hitter and a very above average defensive right fielder, but his attitude and health issues have prevented him from consistently taking advantage of his wide array of tools and skills.

Bradley is capable of being the best player on that team, when it comes down to it.

He's just so inconsistent and he hasn't shown that side of him at all this season.

It was a risk that I found to be reasonable before the season, because the upside was so huge, but I never imagined that Bradley's play would be so unimpressive. I expected injuries to be what derailed him.

Bad, not bat (obviously).

Right, but Nady's not a pitcher, and he's a decent enough hitter to be a 1B/DH if his elbow's healthy enough to swing a bat and throw 90 feet after rehab. A bat fit for the Yankees, perhaps, but he'll find work elsewhere if he wants it.

Posted by: ColonelTom | June 28, 2009 at 01:43 PM
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I think Nady will come back and try to re-invent himself back into a 1b where his elbow won't have to go thru the same strain as an OF'ers would. He would be a good cheap pick up for team that can afford to sit on him for a little while. He's never going to be an all-star caliber hitter but if he can be signed on a 1 year/$1 mil deal w/ an incentive filled 2011 option then he could be a safe risk. He'll be 32 at the start of the 2011 season w/ a lot to prove. A team can get him for nothing and might see 15-20 hrs and a .280/.340 line from him. Not bad at all.

What if Bradley manages to finish with like, 78 games played this year, even though he only had multiple at bats in 71 of them?"

Bradley has already had 10 games of only 1 PA, out of 58 games total.

Posted by: melonis rex | June 28, 2009 at 01:57 PM
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Yeah, usually incentives for hitters are based on at bats not games appeared in. That's usually reserved for pitchers. Very bad signing..and poorly structured to boot.

Scott Podsednik Is Hitting .319 and Been Nothing But Clutch For The White Sox

The Least Coasters don't seem to realize that Casey Blake has prolly been the MVP for he best teamin baseball. His clutch hitting his glove and even his speed have made a huge difference, unexpected even by Dodger fans. Ethier has better numbers, but his HRs come in bunches. Blake has been steady all year long, plus has been a stabilis=zing influence on our core of younger players.He is our MR CLUTCH!

How about Russell Branyan and David Aardsma?

>

As far as the Dodgers were concerned he was a "good bye"

absolute worst signing:

bradley. name me another 10 mil a year guy is is hitting .236/.320 5 HRs 16 RBIs.

also, manny is not a bad signing. i dont like the guy. "manny being manny" is well he acts like bradley but is one of the best hitters in the game, so we will let him slide. but, if the man saved your season last year, you need to sign him again.

also, giambi is not that bad of a signing. is is average or maybe just below average. a's knew he could not hit for average anymore, but he is still hitting HRs and driving in runs. (what he is paid to do)

If New York needed a power bat for Citi Field, then they should have aquired Mark DeRosa, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrel, or Raul Ibanez. they need to be more aggressive.