Each Monday in the course of the MLB season, Yardbarker unveils a listing dedicated to a MLB-related matter. This week, we’re rating the 5 free-agent signees of the offseason who’ve upset probably the most.
It is nonetheless early within the season, so for this listing, we aren’t merely itemizing the statistically worst gamers who signed offers in free company. As a substitute, we’re rating gamers who had legit expectations to be dependable contributors however have didn’t ship up to now.
With that in thoughts, right here is the listing in inverse order.
(All data and statistics are by way of Sunday’s video games.)
5. Second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield | Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia, winners of 12 of its past 15 video games, is tied for probably the most wins in MLB (19), although Merrifield — an All-Star with Toronto final season — hasn’t been a lot of an element within the crew’s success.
The 2-time MLB hits chief and three-time American League stolen base chief has had issue adjusting to a part-time function, the primary of his profession. By means of 14 video games, the 35-year-old has a slash line of .209/.244/.302 with 9 hits, one residence run, two RBI, two stolen bases and a 54 OPS+ (MLB common is 100).
Whereas Merrifield has collected six hits over his previous 5 video games, it is arduous to be too optimistic about that stage of manufacturing persevering with as a result of he posted a 77 wRC+ within the second half of 2023.
Nonetheless, if he can return to his pre-2023 All-Star break kind, the Phillies’ deep lineup shall be that rather more formidable. If he doesn’t, Philadelphia shouldn’t hesitate to provide its younger gamers extra at-bats.
4. RHP Robert Stephenson | Los Angeles Angels
After enhancing his slider’s velocity throughout his stint with Tampa Bay final season to the purpose the place Statcast thought-about the pitch a cutter, Stephenson turned a extremely coveted reliever on the free-agent market. The Angels finally received the Stephenson sweepstakes, signing him to a three-year, $33M deal, making him their greatest addition this previous offseason. The expectation was that he’d be Los Angeles’ setup man.
It did not take lengthy till the Angels had an issue on their fingers, as Stephenson missed spring coaching with shoulder soreness that compelled him to begin the season on the injured listing. Then, simply 4 pitches into his first rehab outing, the right-hander left the sport with an elbow difficulty. On April 17, the Angels introduced Stephenson’s damage would force him to miss all the 2024 season and bear surgical procedure.
The Angels certainly may’ve used Stephenson within the bullpen because the crew’s relievers have a mixed 5.55 ERA, the second worst in MLB.
3. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez | Arizona Diamondbacks
Rodriguez, who signed a four-year, $80M deal this offseason, has but to pitch for the Diamondbacks after struggling a left lat pressure throughout spring coaching. On the time of Rodriguez’s damage, supervisor Torey Lovullo believed the Diamondbacks “dodged a bullet,” however the lefty suffered a setback in April and landed on the 60-day IL.
The 31-year-old is eligible to return off the injured listing Could 25. Even so, it would not be all that stunning if Rodriguez returned to motion later than that as a result of there aren’t any stories that he has resumed his throwing program.
Arizona’s beginning rotation has been resilient with out Rodriguez, compiling a 3.79 ERA (thirteenth within the majors) along with posting a 1.16 WHIP, the fifth lowest in MLB. Even so, with sequence in opposition to the Dodgers, Padres, Reds and Orioles on deck, Arizona’s pitching workers is in a troublesome spot, particularly in mild of starter Merrill Kelly’s latest shoulder pressure.
2. LHP Josh Hader | Houston Astros
The three-time Nationwide League Reliever of the Yr got here to Houston on a record-setting five-year, $95M contract and was imagined to be the piece that put a powerful bullpen excessive. Nevertheless, like many areas of Houston’s roster, the backend of the bullpen has been a large disappointment this season, with Hader taking part in a significant function in the issue.
Throughout 12 appearances, Hader has a 7.59 ERA, the 17th worst amongst certified relievers, and has blown one among his three save alternatives. The Astros certainly remorse shelling out what they did for the five-time All-Star. On a constructive word, Hader has a better strikeout charge (14.34%) this season than the mark he posted in 2023, doubtlessly signaling he may flip a nook.
1. LHP Blake Snell | San Francisco Giants
There isn’t any query Snell, one other Scott Boras shopper who overplayed his hand this previous offseason, needs he had accepted the six-year, $150M deal the Yankees reportedly offered him. In 2023, Snell turned the seventh participant in MLB historical past to win a Cy Younger in each leagues and entered free company searching for a nine-year, $270M contract because of this.
Snell’s market worth, nonetheless, wasn’t almost as excessive as he and Boras anticipated. Whereas the Yankees gave him a beneficiant supply, the left-hander believed he may signal for a better AAV or an extended contract elsewhere. A month into spring coaching, Snell lastly signed a two-year, $62M cope with the Giants, which incorporates an opt-out after this season.
Unsurprisingly, not having any spring coaching begins to ramp up his workload took a toll on Snell. Throughout three begins with San Francisco, Snell posted an 11.57 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP in simply 11.2 innings pitched with 12 strikeouts and 5 walks.
To make issues worse, the Giants lately positioned Snell on the 15-day injured listing with a left adductor pressure, however he is anticipated to be out even longer.
