Top 5 Most Shocking MLB Free Agent Signings
Major League Baseball has seen its fair share of shocking moments and signings in their 153-year lifetime. We as fans have shared so many feelings and reactions to these moments. Looking back into these shocking signings, there are so many that pop out in our minds. These signings below, we will always remember, where we were when we first read these reports.
(Rankings are in no particular order)
1. Johnny Damon Trades in His Facial Hair for Pinstripes
Johnny Damon signs a 4-year deal with the New York Yankees via ESPN
Following the 2005 season, the Red Sox lost in disappointing fashion, losing in the ALDS to the Chicago White Sox in three games. This disappointing loss stung Boston fans, but not as much as this offseason move would. In mid-December, they found, fan-favorite, Johnny Damon in agreement to go play for the rival Yankees. This deal, which was a 4-year $52 million deal, shocked not just Boston fans, but baseball fans around the league. Nobody expected Damon to leave Boston and surely nobody expected him to be wearing pinstripes just two years after Boston’s first World Series win in 86 years. Damon went from fan favorite to never wanting to walk the streets of Boston in a matter of minutes. This move still gives Red Sox’s fans shock and Damon made it a bit more personal after helping the rival Yankees capture their 27th World Series just four years after leaving the city of Boston.
2. Albert Pujols Signs a Decade Long Contract with Angels
Albert Pujols signs a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels via LA Times
Entering the 2011 off-season, teams were drooling over free agent, Albert Pujols. Where the shocking part steps in, nobody expected Pujols to leave St. Louis. Albert compiled an outstanding .328 BA, a 1.037 OPS, along with blasting 445 HR in his 11-year tenure with the Cardinals. Albert was looking to be a lifelong Cardinal and fans wanted him to be. Then in December of 2011, the world of baseball was stunned when Pujols signed a 10-year $254 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The main problem with this deal, especially now looking back, was the fact that Albert was 31 years old. With a name we all know very well, Mike Trout, debuting his rookie season in the same year Pujols was a free agent, the Angels wanted to pair prospect, Mike Trout, with another big name. Pujols was their guy and LA didn’t mind extending into the double-digit years.
3. Max Scherzer Strikes Gold with Highest AAV of All Time
Max Scherzer signs a 3-year deal with the New York Mets via Yahoo Sports
This is the most recent shocking signing to date. The baseball world was astonished when Max Scherzer signed a 3-year $130 million deal which distributes to an even $43.333 million a year, with the New York Mets. This deal blows Gerrit Cole’s record deal of $36 million per year out of the water, making Scherzer the highest paid player of all time per year. Before Scherzer decided to play in Queens, most thought he would stay with the Dodgers. When traded to LA just a few months before his shiny new deal, Max wanted to be out West, part of the reason why he landed where he did. After considering Scherzer’s preferences and age, shocking was an understatement when it leaked, he signed with New York (NL) as well as the contract details. There’s no telling how this contract will play out, but there’s no doubting this signing will be talked about for years to come.
4. Boston Pays $51.1 Million to Talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka signs a 6-year deal with the Boston Red Sox via The NY Times
This was a very strange “signing” in MLB history. In 2006, the Boston Red Sox paid $51.1 million for rights to negotiate a contract with Matsuzaka. The day of this deal marked the start of exactly one month for Boston to sign Daisuke. The $51.1 million that Boston paid, shattered the previous bid for a Japanese player’s rights. In 2001, the Seattle Mariners paid $13 million to negotiate a contract with Ichiro Suzuki, which they ultimately signed. This was a shock to many as it was the Yankees who usually went out and never cared how much they spent, but this time it was Boston’s turn. Matsuzaka was touted as a very, very good pitcher but not a Cy Young candidate. Boston ended up signing Daisuke just 28 days later, to a six-year $52 million deal. Looking back on this deal, Matsuzaka complied a .575 W-L %, 1.418 WHIP, and a 4.45 ERA in 668.1 IP during his 6 years with Boston. Matsuzaka was what everyone expected. A good pitcher but not a Cy Young candidate, but it was a nice signing for Boston as he helped during their World Series run.
5. Alex Rodriguez Opens the Turn of the Century with a Bang
Alex Rodriguez signs a 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers via Global Sports Matter
Alex Rodriguez was arguably the best player in baseball when his contract with the Mariners ended, making him a free agent. Everybody knew he was going to get paid but the final number shocked everyone connected to the sports world. Rodriguez ended up signing a record shattering 10-year $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers. This contract was worth twice as much as the last largest professional contract which was Kevin Garnett’s deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves worth $126 million over a six-year span. The Rangers are a smaller market team and with that amount of money tied to just one player, they looked to trade the young phenom. After just 3 years after Alex signed that massive deal, he was shipped off to the Bronx. Alex was originally traded to Boston until the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association) shot down the trade. The reason the union rejected the trade was due to an effort to reduce the value of an existing contract. Then of course, adding to the long list of heart breaks for the Red Sox, it was then their arch-rival New York Yankees who then swept in and acquired Rodriguez.