The best and worst free agent signings in MLB history: A comprehensive analysis
MLB free agency has been a game-changer for the sport, allowing players to move between teams and sign lucrative deals. In this article, we delve into the top 25 most successful free agent signings in MLB history, as well as some of the deals that didn't quite work out.
Top 25 successful free agent signings:
- Barry Bonds (2,563.6 points)
- Greg Maddux (1,173.6 points)
- David Ortiz (818.3 points)
- Larry Walker (780.3 points)
- Randy Johnson (777.0 points)
- Craig Biggio (663.2 points)
- Rickey Henderson (632.4 points)
- Adrian Beltre (631.3 points)
- Manny Ramirez (579.4 points)
- Bobby Grich (523.1 points)
- Rich Gossage (520.7 points)
- Carlos Beltran (509.3 points)
- Tony Phillips (481.7 points)
- Aaron Judge (479.1 points)
- Jamie Moyer (462.1 points)
- Max Scherzer (452.5 points)
- Reggie Jackson (441.5 points)
- Edwin Encarnacion (435.7 points)
- Shohei Ohtani (435.5 points)
- Dave Winfield (433.3 points)
- Vladimir Guerrero Sr. (427.1 points)
- Tom Candiotti (423.8 points)
- Paul Molitor (422.8 points)
- Roger Clemens (416.4 points)
- Roberto Alomar (414.2 points)
Signings that didn't work out so well:
- Kris Bryant (minus-226.0 points)
- Jaime Navarro (minus-232.0 points)
- Jeff Suppan (minus-232.7 points)
- Jason Heyward (minus-240.6 points)
- Albert Pujols (minus-252.6 points)
- Anthony Rendon (minus-275.5 points)
- Jordan Zimmermann (minus-279.2 points)
- Patrick Corbin (minus-302.0 points)
- Stephen Strasburg (minus-302.8 points)
- Chris Davis (minus-360.9 points)
- Barry Zito (minus-386.9 points)
Methodology: How we compiled free agency points
The rankings were compiled based on player performance under the duration of the deal, and its economic efficiency. Points were awarded for aggregate performance, average performance, win probability added, championship win probability added, and bWAR produced above or below expectation.
