In the wake of Angels right-hander Matt Harvey‘s designation for assignment Friday, we took a look at how the other seven pitchers who signed one-year contracts worth at least $5MM have performed so far in 2019. We’ll do the same here with the 13 hitters who received $5MM-plus last offseason. While most of the pitchers we covered have endured disappointing years, the majority of the offensive players have helped their teams…
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Braves ($23MM):
- After an injury-marred 2018 with the Blue Jays and Indians, the Bringer of Rain said yes to the Braves’ gargantuan one-year offer early last winter. The deal has gone swimmingly for both parties so far. The 33-year-old Donaldson has enjoyed a healthy season and slashed .255/.373/.517 with 22 home runs and 2.7 fWAR in 397 plate appearances. Donaldson’s age will prevent him from landing a long-term contract in the offseason, but it’s safe to say the overall value of the deal will outdo his current pact at the rate he’s going.
Yasmani Grandal, C, Brewers ($18.25MM):
- Grandal turned down a lucrative multiyear offer from the Mets’ before settling for the Brewers’ short-term pact – a contract that has worked out beautifully for the Brew Crew. Not only has the switch-hitting Grandal batted .252/.372/.502 with 19 HRs and 3.1 fWAR across 366 trips to the plate, but he has continued to provide high-quality defense. Grandal’s deal does include a $16MM mutual option for 2020, but he’s almost certain to reject his half of it in favor of another free-agency experience. The soon-to-be 31-year-old won’t have a qualifying offer hanging over him then, as he did last offseason.
Nelson Cruz, DH, Twins ($14MM):
- Now a member of his fifth team, the ageless Cruz, 39, continues to rake. Cruz has torched opposing pitchers for a .271/.365/.541 line with 18 homers and a .271 ISO in 299 PA, making him one of the chief threats on a Minnesota team with no shortage of formidable hitters.
Mike Moustakas, 3B/2B, Brewers ($10MM):
- For the second straight winter, Moustakas wound up with a one-year contract. There’s also an $11MM mutual option for 2020, but it’s likely he’ll decline it to try his hand at free agency yet again. After all, Moustakas is in the midst of one of his best seasons. The 30-year-old Moose has not only slashed .265/.334/.544 with 25 homers and a .279 ISO over 386 PA, but he has been an asset at two defensive positions. Between his customary spot (third base) and his new one (second), Moustakas has logged 5 DRS with a 1.6 UZR. The newfound defensive flexibility should serve him well during the upcoming winter.
Brian Dozier, 2B, Nationals ($9MM):
- Dozier had been a star in Minnesota until last season, when the Twins traded him to the Dodgers during the summer, but he was uncharacteristically subpar between the two clubs in 2018. The 32-year-old carried those struggles into the beginning of this season with the Nationals, though he has rebounded at the plate over the past several weeks. In all, Dozier has hit a useful .235/.333/.436 and swatted 14 homers with a .201 ISO through 333 PA. Contrary to past seasons, Dozier no longer runs much – he has attempted just three steals, succeeding on two. Meanwhile, his work in the field (minus-4 DRS, minus-0.9 UZR) has earned below-average reviews.
Brett Gardner, OF, Yankees ($7.5MM):
- The Yankees opted to continue their relationship with their longest-tenured player, which has been a wise choice. Their outfield has battled major injuries to Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks, but the long-steady Gardner has been around to help pick up the pieces. The 35-year-old’s a 2.1-fWAR player through 350 PA on the strength of .245/.326/.465 hitting with 15 homers and an effective defense and base running mix. He also delivered one of the greatest dugout conniptions in recent memory on Thursday.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Twins ($7.25MM):
- Schoop couldn’t secure a multiyear contract in the offseason after a rough 2018 divided between Baltimore and Milwaukee. The 27-year-old has bounced back this season to give the Twins league-average offensive production (100 wRC+) with 15 bombs and 1.1 fWAR in 321 PA. Still, it doesn’t look as if he’ll come close to replicating the career year he enjoyed in 2017.
Steve Pearce, IF, Red Sox ($6.25MM):
- Pearce was one of the toasts of Boston last autumn, earning World Series MVP honors after the team’s Fall Classic triumph over the Dodgers. As we covered Thursday, though, this year hasn’t been nearly as fruitful for Pearce. At this point, hindsight says the Red Sox would have been better off letting the 36-year-old go. Multiple injuries have kept Pearce out since May 31 (and a return isn’t close). Perhaps of greater concern, the 2018 standout has hit a disastrous .180/.245/.258 with one homer in the 99 trips to the plate he has taken this season.
Nick Markakis, RF, Braves ($6MM):
- Old reliable Markakis, 35, has added another effective season to a long line of them this year. A solid amount of walks, a dearth of strikeouts, below-average power and plenty of contact continue to define Markakis’ offensive game. He’s hitting .289/.361/.441 with nine long balls through 395 PA, though the lefty hasn’t fared nearly as well against southpaws this season. Nevertheless, this has been yet another impressively durable year for Markakis, who came into 2019 with six straight campaigns of 155-plus games and has appeared all of the Braves’ 99 contests this season.
Robinson Chirinos, C, Astros ($5.75MM):
- After the in-state rival Rangers passed on Chirinos’ 2019 option, the Astros scooped him up on a buy-low deal. As was the case with the Rangers, the 35-year-old Chirinos has given the Astros an offensively adept, defensively limited backstop. Despite a recent slump, Chirinos has still hit .218/.347/.424 and totaled 12 homers across 293 PA. The defense hasn’t been very good, though, which helps explain why the Astros had interest in Martin Maldonado before the Royals traded him to the Cubs.
Billy Hamilton, OF, Royals ($5.25MM):
- The out-of-contention Royals are primed to trade Hamilton, but the value’s minimal. It’s true Hamilton’s always imposing speed and defense could catch contenders’ eyes, though his typically punchless bat has been worse than ever this season. The 28-year-old’s wRC+ (50) ranks dead last among 217 hitters who have amassed at least 250 PA in 2019.
Jordy Mercer, SS, Tigers ($5.25MM):
- For the Tigers, the ideal endgame in signing Mercer – previously a usable shortstop with the Pirates – was likely to trade him in the summer. That’s going to be difficult, however, as Mercer hasn’t been good or healthy this season. He owns a miserable 62 wRC+ with minus-0.2 fWAR in 106 PA.
Freddy Galvis, SS, Blue Jays ($5MM):
- Never a significant threat at the plate, the switch-hitting Galvis has batted a personal-best .270/.307/.452 and slugged 15 dingers in 384 PA this season. The durable 29-year-old has been a fixture in the rebuilding Blue Jays’ lineup as a result, though that may come to an end in the next two weeks with the deadline nearing. The fact that Galvis seems to have trade value is a win for a Toronto team which was likely hoping to flip him this summer when it signed him.
I’ve noticed a lot of the Donaldson haters have been quiet lately.
Cause he brought the rain and washed the Rodney out. Nice to see him getting that walkoff. Anybody noticed when he squares up the baseball, I’m surprised that it doesn’t break his bat each time.
Braves have any extremely tough decision lurking for the rest of the season on what to do with him. Dont see a long term but maybe a 3/65. Maybe that could get agreed on right now but if he keeps gifting fans with not only an experience and free gifts of baseballs dropped in the seats and defensive prowess he possesses. He’s only getting more expensive. Good for him.
They have Austin Riley. Donaldson isn’t resigning with the Braves. This was a pillow deal that’s worked out for both sides. They’ll shake hands after the season and go their separate ways.
That’s what I was thinking all year, but I’m not sure, now. Riley has been in the lineup with Donaldson, so if he leaves there would be a huge hole. I don’t think Ender or Duvall are gonna be able to fill it and Pache won’t be ready. I can see them resigning Donaldson and leaving Riley in left another season.
Yep, I’d love Donaldson back especially since Riley is really struggling, but I think the braves main focus has to be spending on pitching.
Another option that will be studied I’m sure would have to be Rendon and what’s happening with him and the Nationals. Starting to get the feeling he doesn’t believe his future is in Washington.
If Donaldson was willing to take another one year deal, we’ll bring him back. Unfortunately, he’ll most likely be looking for a 3 year deal and that just doesnt line up with our plans. Pache and/or Waters will be ready by then, even possibly sometime next year, so Acuna will be moving back to left, Riley to 3rd and Pache in center. Trade for Stroman now, and sign one of Cole or Strasburg this off season and call it a day. We simply cant have the same off season as last. We have a chance to sign a TOR pitcher and keep our prospects. Theres no reason we shouldnt have signed at least Charlie Morton or Corbin last off season. Plus, if we sign Stras, that takes away at least 4/5 wins for the Nats since he alwayssss pitches well against us. Come 2020, sign Paxton or Robbie Ray to perfect the back end of the rotation for our team and win the WS!!! Wow I wish we lived in this ideal world I speak of lolll
Braves probably QO Donaldson. For that I’d also deal Camargo this week. Braves will find a place for Riley. Donaldson may be better served in the AL to DH once in a while.
Some in Toronto want Edwin back next year to mentor the young guys. I love Encarnacion, but I’d rather have Donaldson on a 2-year plus team option if I had to pick one. Gives Vlad a true 3B mentor and Bichette apparently has a similar drive and desire to the game Donaldson has.
> Some in Toronto…
Everything in that paragraph is crazy talk. The Jays don’t need very expensive players in their mid-30s to take playing time away from the kids or mentor anyone. Donaldson missed well over 100 games his last year and a half with the Jays; Edwin is a DH only player. And some players can be mentors but stars usually aren’t — that’s usually a forced media narrative from people who don’t actually cover the teams. (Yesterday, I heard a beat reporter say on the radio he asked Roy Halladay if Roger Clemens mentored him in spring training during the two years Clemens pitched for the Jays. Halladay said, no, that Clemens kept to himself. But today, I heard a radio host declare that Halladay was blessed to have been mentored by Clemens. Pure baseless garbage.)
Donaldson would be the DH in Toronto, much like Edwin would, if obtained next year.
If Donaldson is not a mentor then I guess he was not the leader we were led to believe. I’d have no problem seeing Edwin come back. I’d rather have JD over Edwin, DH/3B. You have 3 vets taking playing time away as we speak and blocking Bichette. JD would only be 1. If you feel strongly about your vets comment then where have you been on the vet pitchers the Jays continue to obtain, then cut, while the young guys stall in the AAA? Many Jays fans believe in the vet stopgap, whereas I don’t. Except in this case it’s JD. Even Edwin.
If what I said was crazy than call me crazy. Blue Jays aren’t going anywhere for the next two years because the pitching they currently do not have in the system besides Pearson needs 2 years to develop.
Preach
Am I the only person who thinks Brett Gardner’s appearance might be indicative of PEDs? His head is HUGE. Like abnormally possibly unnaturally huge. I know when people use synthetic testosterone, steroids or HGH their heads continue to grow because that is the only bone in a humans body that never totally fuses. All you have to do is look at Barry Bonds head in his 20’s and then again in his 30’s. I heard he grew close to 2 full hat sizes. Gardner looks like he is a human spliced with a “Grey” alien. I personally find it incredibly hard to believe that his noggin is 100% natural. The sad thing is that even if you stop using PEDs, the head size is permanent. He has to live like that forever. Also, hair loss is a well known sign of PED use. We are 2 for 2 here. Any thoughts?
As someone with a rather large head who comes from a family of people with huge heads I can assure you that you can have a head like Gardner without using PEDs. Also if memory serves me he’s been bald his whole career
I get what your saying. Some people have big heads just like others have small heads. There’s nothing about the shape of his head that seems unnatural to you though? Most of the folks I know with big heads also have big faces too because they grew at the same time. I know bald people sometimes appear to have larger heads than they do. It looks like Gardner’s head is easily bigger ABOVE the eyebrows than it is from BELOW the eyebrows all the way down to the neck. It looks like his face stopped growing and then his cranium started growing again after everything else was done. I can understand some level of disproportionality but this seems rather extreme. I’m not saying he is currently on PEDs or anything like that, but would you find it absolutely shocking to discover that he had used them in the past? Maybe when he was younger to get over a highschool injury or something?
i had a smaller head with a long face. after a surgery my head hast gotten so much bigger and the face longer because i take both steroids daily and hgh often.
My point exactly. I’m net saying he’s juicing now. Heck, I’m not even saying he has ever cheated at the game of baseball. I’m just saying he has likely taken something like HGH or steroids at some point in his life. Maybe it was for a legit medical reason. Who knows? No knock on the guy. I just find it interesting.
He’s always had a large head. just look up some of his photos from college and high school.
This list looks substantially better than the pitcher list.
I noticed that too. Apparently hitters are easier to project than pitchers. Stating healthy also helps.
2yrs 33 million. You heard it here first 😉
For who?
Naw… I’m going with 4/52.
Lol if anyone from any sport or any profession signs for those terms I will congratulate you