Phillies: Top 3 worst free-agent signings in recent memory
Top 3 worst Phillies free-agent signings
There’s no way around it, the Philadelphia Phillies have not been the most successful of teams in terms of hitting on free-agents.
They are now entering a pivotal offseason. And, while the organization will surely explore free agency to improve the club for the 2021 season, their success in the market has been few and far between. Led for now by interim general manager Ned Rice, the Phils are poised to land at least one big name — whether that be re-signing catcher J.T. Realmuto and/or shortstop Didi Gregorius, or someone else.
Let’s look back at some of the more, shall we say, recent and unfortunate free-agent signings in Phillies history.
1. Jake Arrieta
One of the more recent busts, but not necessarily the most catastrophic despite the yearly salary, right-handed starting pitcher Jake Arrieta seems to be a case of a “reach” signing.
This move came at a time when the Phillies were beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and there’s little doubt in my mind that the front office didn’t see Arrieta as some “proof for the pudding.” That, and the fans were beginning to get resistant to the rebuilding “tag” that had been the Phillies for a few seasons.
Arrieta received a three-year, $75 million contract. Luckily, that contract was frontloaded, meaning the Phils had less to pay as Jake continues to regress in the twilight stage of his career.
In red pinstripes, Arrieta has gone 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA. Comparable to that production is Zach Eflin, who has more wins and a better ERA. Eflin made more than $3 million to Arrieta’s $75 million. That should be enough tangible evidence to see the Phillies could have found better value on the dollar.
2. Adam Eaton
A former Phillies first-round pick, right-handed pitcher Adam Eaton was traded to the San Diego Padres before he could begin his big-league career in red pinstripes.
Eaton was mediocre at best in parts of a few seasons in San Diego — his best year being an 11-5 win-loss record season, where the Seattle, Washington, native recorded a 4.27 ERA. After a stop with the Texas Rangers, the Phillies decided to sign Eaton to a three-year deal worth around $24 million following the 2006 season.
It remains to be known if the Phillies saw something in the late stages of Eaton’s career, or were just misinformed enough to make the same mistake twice. Regardless of the decision-making process, Eaton would not perform up to expectations, if there were any. He only made through two seasons in his second Phillies organization stint, boasting a 6.10 ERA.
Eaton did strike out 154 batters, and it only took him 268 2/3 innings to do so. Oh, and in that same time period, Eaton walked 115. Not a recipe for success on the big-league mound.
3. David Robertson
The most recent failure on this list, the Phillies thought they were getting a late-game finisher when they signed 2009 World Series champion reliever David Robertson.
Instead, they got seven innings and a major surgery that left Robertson with question marks on the future of his big-league career. The injury is obviously not Robertson’s fault; it’s the investment made on the part of the organization that makes this a bust.
Before the Phillies recently executed the $2 million buyout clause in Robertson’s contract for the 2021 season, Robertson made $21 million between 2019-20. He would have made $12 million next season, had the Phillies exercised the team option.
The initial deal made a little bit of sense at the time, as there was no reason to believe Robertson was slowing down — given his effectiveness in a second stint with the Yankees (2017-18), appearing in nearly 100 games and striking out 142 in 104 2/3 innings.
Set to turn 36 in April, and amid an unprecedented free-agent market, it’s possible that Robertson will never be that player again — at least not in a Phils uniform.
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