With the All-Star break approaching quickly, fans are looking with optimism or skepticism at the free agent signings their respective teams have made. With that in mind, this series will take an in-depth look at free agent signings that made fans pinch themselves, hoping it was a dream. These moves will be selected for each team in a division. For the third installment of this series, we will take a look at the worst signings of the teams from the AL East. If you missed the first installment looking at the AL West, check it out here. If you want to look back at the AL Central as well, check those out here.
Worst Free Agent Signings-AL East
Baltimore Orioles
The Pick: Alex Cobb
While the Chris Davis extension was tempting to put here, it’s technically not a free agent signing. For fans of the Baltimore Orioles, this year has been an absolute disaster. From the Davis extension to increasing rumors of the organization trading superstar Manny Machado, everything has seemed to go wrong for the team. But perhaps nothing has made Baltimore fans angrier than the signing of pitcher Alex Cobb. During what was an odd offseason around MLB, the Orioles signed Cobb to a four-year, $57 million deal on March 20th, 2018. Cobb was a decent pitcher during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching a 3.66 ERA last year.
But his first year in Baltimore has been nothing short of horrendous with a 7.23 ERA so far with a 2-8 record. If this is the kind of production or lack thereof that Cobb will provide, Baltimore will look to trade him as quickly as possible.
The Runner-Ups: Albert Belle, Sidney Ponson
Boston Red Sox
The Pick: Pablo Sandoval
While the Boston Red Sox have certainly had their fair share of success with players, they often miss the mark in free agency. While this pick was very much a three-way race, it’s hard for fans not to look at the Red Sox career of third baseman Pablo Sandoval and wonder what the team was thinking. Sandoval was part of three World Series championship teams with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012, and 2014 winning World Series MVP in 2012. These performances, along with some stellar numbers in 2014, such as a .279 batting average, allowed him to get a massive five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox on November 24th, 2014.
But that contract would quickly enter the conversation as one of the worst contracts in MLB history. In his first year in Boston, Sandoval set career lows in batting average, hitting .245, home runs, hitting only 10, and RBI, with 47. Coming into spring training before the 2016 season, Sandoval was overweight and lost the starting job at third base to Travis Shaw. He would play in a total of three games that season, with injuries also playing a role. Sandoval’s struggles would only continue as he would hit a .212 batting average with 4 home runs and 12 RBI. After 32 games with the Red Sox in the 2017 season, Sandoval would be released by the team on July 19th. Sandoval would return to the Giants on July 22nd and continues to play for the Giants.
The Runner-Ups: Carl Crawford, Rusney Castillo
New York Yankees
The Pick: Carl Pavano
With a team that spends most of their resources on free agents, the New York Yankees have had a fair amount of misses. The biggest miss is the contract of pitcher Carl Pavano. While there were many players to consider, Pavano’s performance was ultimately the determining factor. After a stellar contract year pitching for the Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins), which included an All-Star nod, Pavano ultimately decided to sign a four-year, $39.95 million contract with the Yankees after receiving multiple offers on December 20th, 2004.
In his first year in New York, Pavano would pitch a 4-6 record with a 4.77 ERA in 17 starts. After having a right shoulder injury in June, Pavano seemed to be ready to turn around his Yankees career. But in one of the more bizarre injuries, Pavano landed on the disabled list in Spring Training due to a buttocks injury. This combined with a car accident, caused him to miss the entire 2006 season. In the 2007 season, Pavano made only two starts before opting for Tommy John surgery in his elbow after sustaining an elbow strain.
During what would be his final season in New York, Pavano would start in the minor leagues but would make seven appearances for the Yankees. In total, Pavano would pitch a 9-8 record with a 5.00 ERA and 75 in 145.2 innings pitched. This isn’t what you want to see for a pitcher who was getting paid almost $10 million per year. Pavano would move on to the Cleveland Indians before finishing his career with the Minnesota Twins.
The Runner-Ups: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Giambi
Tampa Bay Rays
The Pick: Pat Burrell
The Tampa Bay Rays have had their share of hardships. But perhaps none is worse than the contract for left fielder Pat Burrell who they planned on using as a designated hitter. After winning a World Series as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Burrell signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the team on January 5th, 2009. In his first year in Tampa Bay, Burrell hit a decent .221 with 14 homeruns and 64 RBI, but it was nothing compared to his stats last year when he hit .250 with 33 homeruns and 86 RBI. During his second season in Tampa Bay, Burrell would once again decline, hitting a .202 batting average with two home runs and 13 RBI. He would only appear in 24 games before being released by the Rays. Burrell would be signed by the San Fransisco Giants and that’s where he would finish his career.
The Runner-Ups: Greg Vaughn, Wilson Alvarez
Toronto Blue Jays
The Pick: B.J. Ryan
To finish off this list, the story of relief pitcher B.J. Ryan. After many sub-par years as a member of the Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays gave Ryan the biggest contract for a reliever in MLB history at the time, a five-year, $47 million contract. His first year in Toronto was a good one, to be fair, as Ryan pitched a 1.37 ERA with 38 saves, converting 38 out of 42 save opportunities. During his second year with the Blue Jays, Ryan would have Tommy John surgery, which showed in his 12.46 ERA.
He would come back from the surgery and have a decent 2008 season, pitching a 2.95 ERA with 32 saves, converting 32 out of 36 save opportunities. During a 2009 season that saw Ryan pitch a 6.53 ERA, he would be released by the Blue Jays. Ryan would sign with the Chicago Cubs, but wouldn’t make it up to the majors.
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