Top 3 Bargain MLB Signings for 2020 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Top 3 Bargain MLB Signings for 2020

Everyone loves a good bargain, even our favorite MLB teams, but this offseason the American League dominated the discounted talent.

355
Top 3 Bargain MLB Signings for 2020

In This Article:

Spring training games for the 2020 MLB season begin this weekend! The sound of catchers' mitts popping and bats cracking is my favorite symphony. Baseball is the foundation for my love of sports but is also so hard to keep track of on a year-to-year basis thanks to how large the rosters are.

Throw in trades, free-agent signings, retirements, and you don't know who's wearing what uniform anymore. This week I wanted to focus on this year's free-agent signings that were an absolute bargain! We all know Gerrit Cole signed with the Yankees or that Anthony Rendon signed with the Angels, but I bet you my top three deals for 2020 are players you had no idea were on the market.

These athletes should far exceed the value of their contracts this season. Now, without further ado, here are my top three 2020 underrated MLB free-agent signings.

3. Gio González (Chicago White Sox / 1 yr. - $5 million / SP)

Flickr

From the Brew Crew to the South Side goes veteran starting pitcher Gio González. Yes, he's 34 years old, but getting a veteran presence for a young pitching staff that may also contribute 150 innings (if he stays healthy) for $5 million, wow! González's career ERA is 3.68 and he's had nearly 30 innings of playoff experience to his name.

He's a southpaw who eats up innings and always gives a ball club a chance to win each night he takes the mound. Although his ERA in 2020 might hover around 4.00, I could see him winning 12 games, which is well worth it for Chicago. He will easily make all other 29 MLB ball clubs regret not signing him this offseason to be their number three or four starter.

2. César Hernández (Cleveland Indians / 1 yr. - $6.25 million / 2B)

Flickr

César Hernández is very comparable in my eyes to St. Louis Cardinals' second baseman, Kolten Wong. Wong made $6.5 million last year and is making $10.25 million in 2020, making this a great value signing by the Indians.

The era of Jason Kipnis was coming to an end in Cleveland as he struggled with nagging injuries towards the end of his Indians' tenure. Enter Hernández, the former Philadelphia Phillies' infielder who had a career high 71 RBIs in 2019. Between 2016-2018 he averaged 17 SB and a .367 OBP per season.

The one-year deal is probably a trial period to see how he fits into their lineup, but one thing is for sure, Indians' coach, Terry Francona, should let Hernández run wild on the base paths. I could easily see Hernández steal 20 bases this season if he finds himself near the top of the Indians' order early on.

1. Kevin Pillar (Boston Red Sox / 1 yr. - $4.25 million / CF)

Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes you just need to tip your cap, even at your most hated of rivals. The Red Sox organization made an A+ offseason move by signing Kevin Pillar to a one year contract for less than $5 million. First and foremost, Pillar should now have an everyday role to begin the year after the Sox released that Alex Verdugo had a stress fracture in his back and probably won't be ready by Opening Day.

It was a shock to many that the San Francisco Giants let Pillar enter free agency, after posting 21 HR, 87 RBIs, 14 SB, and holding down center field for 129 of his 152 games in a Giants' uniform in 2019. He's still only 31 years old and between 2015-2017, Pillar had an average defensive runs saved (DRS) of 16.7 while playing center field for the Toronto Blue Jays, so we know he has the ability to be a plus defender. The AL East outfields were Pillar's old stomping grounds, making this a great signing from a comfort standpoint.

Although his defense hasn't been as elite the past two years, Pillar's sprint speed actually went up by 0.2 ft/s from 2018 to 2019. His power at the plate has also been nice to see, with 20+ HR the past two seasons. For a team struggling with an identity after the loss of their manager, Alex Cora, and their best player, Mookie Betts, Pillar provides stability they desperately need. He allows the Red Sox to DH any of their starting outfielders on a day-to-day basis, because he isn't a defensive liability.

Don't forget that longtime Red Sox centerfielder, Jackie Bradley Jr., is a free agent at the end of 2020, as is Pillar. Pillar's ability to play centerfield gives the ballclub options if one of these guys decides to leave after this season. Considering Bradley Jr. is making $11 million this season, Pillar's contract will be worth every penny.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

69721
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3592
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7685
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments