10 Best Free Agent Bargain Signings of the MLB Offseason
As we’re a month away from pitchers & catchers reporting for spring training, teams are beginning to fill out their rosters, for the most part. Some additions make sense, in terms of fit, as well as cost. Here are the 10 most notable free agent bargain signings, to this point of the offseason.
Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates: 2025 will be Andrew McCutchen’s 17th MLB season.
Last year, McCutchen hit 20 home runs, while posting a 105 wRC+, in 515 plate appearances. He continued to show a good approach at the plate by drawing walks at a solid, 11.3% clip.
McCutchen re-signed with the Pirates, on another one-year, $5 million dollar deal, which is a bargain based on his decent power, despite coming off his age 37 season.
Blake Treinen - Los Angeles Dodgers: Much has been made about the outrageous spending of the LA Dodgers this offseason, but one move that has flown under the radar, with their flurry of big transactions, is the re-signing of Blake Treinen at two years, $22 million.
The 36-year-old righty had a terrific, 2024 season, in the Dodgers’ bullpen, as he registered a 1.93 ERA, a 2.99 FIP, and a K/9 of 10.8 (56 K in 46.2 IP).
During his last four seasons with the Dodgers, Treinen has an ERA+ of 182 over 154 appearances.
Caleb Thielbar - Chicago Cubs: Caleb Thielbar’s first eight big league seasons were spent in the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen.
Thielbar struggled last season, with a 5.32 ERA, although he had a better FIP of 4.10, in 59 games pitched.
The Cubs inked the 37-year-old southpaw, to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. Thielbar owns a career 123 ERA+, so if he’s able to bounce back, it could be one of the best “buy-low” reliever signings of the offseason.
Donovan Solano - Seattle Mariners: It’s no secret that the Seattle Mariners are searching for offensive help, this after missing the postseason a year ago, despite an incredible, starting rotation.
A key piece was added to Seattle’s bench, as they came to terms with Donovan Solano, on a one-year deal for $3.5 million.
Solano was a member of the San Diego Padres last year, where he slashed .286/.343/.427, and a had 118 wRC+, in 309 plate appearances. Since 2019, he has a batting average of .298.
The signing of Solano by the Mariners is quite a bargain, for one of the better offensive-oriented utility infielders in baseball.
Jesse Winker - New York Mets: Jesse Winker began ‘24 playing for the Washington Nationals. In 379 plate appearances with the Nats, he posted a slash of .257/.374/.419, and a 126 OPS+.
Looking to make a push towards the playoffs, the New York Mets acquired Winker from Washington, just a couple days prior to the trade deadline.
Although Winker had an OPS+ of 95, after coming over, he redeemed himself during the postseason, as he batted .318, while scoring seven runs, and collecting a pair of triples.
The Mets brought back Winker this offseason by signing him to a one-year, $8 million dollar deal.
Joc Pederson - Texas Rangers: With a lineup already loaded with offensive talent, the Texas Rangers went out and signed Joc Pederson, to be their primary designated hitter, on a two-year contract worth $37 million.Entering his 12th season, Pederson continues to mash right-handed pitching. Last season was no exception, as he boasted a .281/.392/.531 slash line versus RHP.
Among MLB hitters, who compiled at least 400 plate appearances, in ‘24, Pederson’s 151 wRC+ was tied for tenth highest.
Max Kepler - Philadelphia Phillies: After beginning his pro ball journey, with the Minnesota Twins back in 2009, Max Kepler wrapped up his last season with the Twins a year ago.Although Kepler has a 102 wRC+, in his big league career, he’s an outstanding, baserunner and defender in the outfield. Over 10 seasons, his Defensive Runs Saved are at +50.
Kepler put pen to paper this offseason with the Philadelphia Phillies - signing a one-year deal worth $10 million. Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, says Kepler will be the team’s starting left fielder this season.
Michael Lorenzen - Kansas City Royals: One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 MLB season was the stellar, nature of the Kansas City Royals’ rotation, who finished with the second best ERA as a staff.
Led by AL Cy Young runner-up, Seth Lugo, an emerging Cole Ragans, and a solid, Michael Wacha, the Royals also got a strong, contribution from trade deadline acquisition, Michael Lorenzen.
Before the deadline, Lorenzen pitched in 19 games with the Rangers, where he put up an ERA of 3.81. Following the trade, he was even more dominant for KC, posting a 1.57 ERA, in seven outings.
The Royals were able to re-sign Lorenzen, on a one-year, $7 million dollar contract, which is certainly a bargain, for a quality, #4 type starter.
Mike Tauchman - Chicago White Sox: After finishing with the worst record in MLB history last year, it’s nowhere to go but up, for the Chicago White Sox.
The SouthSiders traded Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox at the Winter Meetings, for a significant package of prospects - most of which will be with the big league team at some point in 2025.
In terms of veteran additions, the White Sox signed outfielder Mike Tauchman, to a one-year deal for $1.95 million.
Tauchman is projected to be the leadoff man with the White Sox. Over his last two seasons playing for the Cubs, he’s gotten on base at a .360 mark - thanks in part to an impressive, walk figure of 13.7%.
For the White Sox, to sign an OF, who gets on base consistently at just below $2 million, is an objectively, nice signing.
Trevor Williams - Washington Nationals: Perhaps one of the most surprising pitching performances during the first half of last year came from Washington Nationals hurler Trevor Williams.
In 11 starts, Williams posted a 2.22 ERA, along with a 2.81 FIP, before landing on the injured list, with a flexor tendon muscle strain, in early June. The good news for Williams is that he returned in September, and made two starts - going 10 innings and allowing one earned run.
The Nats decided to bring back Williams into their rotation plans by coming to terms, on a two-year deal worth $14 million. Similar to Michael Lorenzen, Williams is also a useful, fourth starter, or at the very least, a serviceable, #5.