It's been a very long time since my last post, over five months, but better late than never. Here is my take (somewhat) on MLB Free Agent Market this winter:
The money given out to free agents like BJ Upton, Zack Greinke, and Shane Victorino seem like overpays, and that's because these players were all overpaid. Here is my breakdown on each of these three players without getting into statistical data (that can wait till a later day).
BJ Upton: ($75 Million plus/4 years): Upton signed with the Atlanta Braves, and he is expected to be their everyday center fielder. Upton has been regarded as a five tool player, but it has also been noted that he has never figured out how to use all his tools. He is a good defender, and he posted a career high in Home Runs this past year, but his strikeout rate soared as well.
Zack Greinke: ($147 million/6 years): I have always been heard that timing is everything, and Zack Greinke is living proof. I believe Greinke got the richest contract in MLB history for a right handed pitcher, and that says something about this market. Greinke was the best available starting pitcher on the market without a doubt, and he cashed in because of that. So Greinke is the best picher in baseball? No, but the Dodgers had money to spend and they wanted Greinke and now they have him.
Shane Victorino ($39 Million/3 years): Victorino had a tough contract year, and was hardly the player he was in 2011. There could have been a number of reasons for that, pressure, the Phillies underperforming, or maybe the stress of cashing in got to him, but based on his 2012 performance, that money could have been better spent elswhere by the Red Sox.
Don't get me wrong, I believe Upton has a ton of upside and is a great defender just as Victorino is, and Zack Greinke is an outstanding pitcher. However, the prices spent on players such as these three this offseason says a lot about the 2012 market, and I say that without trying to undermine the players and their talent.
Within the next few weeks I will take a more in depth look at these three players, maybe some others, and comparable players and their contracts.
(Contract Value and length provided by Baseball Reference-www.baseballreference.com)
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