Last Year's Top Free Agents

[Ben (Rays GM)]

Albert Pujols 28.8 million (2012-2015)
Miguel Cabrera 27.6 million (2012-2015)
Matt Kemp 27.0 million (2012-2014)
Justin Verlander 24.6 million (2012-2015)
Robinson Cano 24.3 million (2012-2014)
Adrian Gonzalez 23.8 million (2012-2015)
Prince Fielder 23.8 million (2012-2015)
Roy Halladay 22.9 million (2012-2015)
Jose Bautista 21.6 million (2012-2015)
Felix Hernandez 21.3 million (2012-2015)
David Wright 21.2 million (2012-2015)
Ian Kinsler 21.2 million (2012-2015)
Yu Darvish 19.5 million (2012-2015+)
Zack Greinke 19.2 million (2012-2015)
Ryan Zimmerman 19.2 million (2012-2015)
Matt Cain 18.7 million (2012-2015)
Hanley Ramirez 17.6 million (2012-2015)
Alex Rodriguez 17.1 million (2012-2014)
Jon Lester 16.5 million (2012-2015)
Jered Weaver 16.0 million (2012-2014)
Dan Uggla 14.4 million (2012-2014)
Dan Haren 14.4 million (2012-2014)
Michael Young 14.4 million (2012-2014)
Mike Napoli 14.2 million (2012-2013)
Rickie Weeks 14.1 million (2012-2015)
Joe Mauer 13.6 million (2012-2015)
Jonathan Papelbon 13.6 million (2012-2015)
Andre Ethier 13.6 million (2012-2015)

Observations? Discuss.

[Ben (Rays GM)]

Compared to 2011 I think we did much better last year curbing the insanity. These contracts all make sense; a few may look bad in hindsight, but that's to be expected - just as many look good in hindsight.

[Deleted]

Ouch on all the 2B in my opinion. The rest seem good, but I don't think it is necessary to pay a 2B that much.

[Ben (Rays GM)]

Interesting, that doesn't seem to hold true for other "up the middle" positions though. Some of the best bargains last year were catchers, for instance. Not enough info to determine whether SS would follow a similar pattern, but I wonder.

[Deleted]

Lester hurt big time. Hopefully he will return to form and pitch like 16.5 Mill. And Halladay at 22.9, what was his issue last year?

[Alex (Nationals GM)]

Jan 4, 2013 15:08:52 GMT -5 @sjkqw said:

Ouch on all the 2B in my opinion. The rest seem good, but I don't think it is necessary to pay a 2B that much.

I don't mind Cano at his price at all. He's a top 15 player at a shallow position

[Alex (Nationals GM)]

Also looks as though Braun will be our most expensive free agent ever at 33.6 million if my bid holds up not sure I won't regret that one but the opportunity of having Trout and Braun in the same outfield for 4 years seemed to good to pass up