Free-Agent Contracts That Were Worth Every Penny

Face it—Pablo Sandoval had a better Monday than you. So did Hanley Ramirez.

It happens.

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington got his Christmas shopping out of the way early with two monster signings. Ramirez, a three-time All-Star for the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract, per Fox’s Ken Rosenthal. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Sandoval’s deal is worth $95 million over five seasons.

The Red Sox still haven’t addressed their woeful starting pitching, but that’s for another day. With Cherington in the giving mood, now seems like a perfect time to reflect on some of the best free-agent signings of the last decade.

Before we start, let’s be clear about this list. It’s not about who made the most money or even who won the most championships. This list celebrates the rare few who not only met expectations, but surpassed them.

Also note, I did not include any international free agents, players who re-signed with teams they were drafted by or players who signed following a trade. If you disagree with any of my selections, feel free to voice your disapproval (politely, of course) in the comments section.

Honorable Mentions

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Adrian Beltre

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers (5 Years, $80 Million)

If Beltre wasn’t a Hall of Famer before he came to Texas, he sure is now.

This was supposed to be the twilight of Beltre’s career. Instead, he’s hit .315 with 117 HR and 376 RBI over his last four seasons. One of those seasons ended with a trip to the World Series.

Beltre’s stellar play at third base won him Gold Gloves in 2011 and 2012. It’s tough to call anyone who makes $16 million a year a bargain, but Beltre has been worth every penny.

Don’t touch his head, though. He doesn’t like that.

Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (5 Years, $70 Million)

Looking back, it’s hard to believe $70 million was enough to pry Vladimir Guerrero away from Montreal. Maybe he just really hated the metric system.

Either way, Guerrero wasted no time in asserting his dominance. He won the American League MVP in his first season in Anaheim.

Guerrero stopped stealing bases when he arrived in Southern California, but he never stopped hitting. He collected a .319 average in 3,237 at-bats for the Angels, winning the Silver Slugger Award four times in six seasons.

The nine-time All-Star is two years away from Cooperstown eligibility.

No 10: Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons (6 Years, $34.5 Million)

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Michael Turner

Michael Turner was LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup in San Diego, but everything changed when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Though never very efficient (4.5 yards per carry average throughout his career), Turner was a touchdown machine for Atlanta, punching in 61 touchdowns during a five-year period (60 rushing, one receiving). He ended his career in Atlanta as the team’s second-leading rusher behind former All-Pro Gerald Riggs.

Turner’s menacing ground-and-pound game led to playoff berths in four of his five seasons with Atlanta. Including the playoffs, the Falcons were 55-25 in games Turner started.

No 9: Magglio Ordonez, OF, Detroit Tigers (5 Years, $85 Million)

Think Huston Street remembers that one?

Too soon?

The Detroit Tigers became relevant again in the mid-2000s, and for that, we have Magglio Ordonez to thank. Ordonez hit .300 or better in five of his seven seasons with the team, including 2007, when he led the majors in hitting. If Alex Rodriguez wasn’t so outrageously good that season, Ordonez likely would have been MVP.

But you know what really makes Ordonez transcendent? His spectacular hair. Seriously, are we positive this isn’t Troy Polamalu in disguise? Or does Ordonez actually play free safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

No. 8: Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals (1 Year, $4 Million)

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Kurt Warner

You can never count out Kurt Warner. That’s why the Arizona Cardinals gave him a one-year deal in 2005 even after a dreadful showing with the New York Giants a year earlier.

As they say, sometimes the long shots pay off the biggest. Arizona rode Warner’s hot hand to Super Bowl XLIII and probably would have won if not for this once-in-a-lifetime catch by Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes.

Warner finished that game with the second-most passing yards in Super Bowl history. He also has the highest and third-highest passing totals in Super Bowl history.

Not bad for a guy who spent his mid-20s working in a grocery store.

No. 7: CC Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees (7 Years, $161 Million)

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

CC Sabathia

We all know the New York Yankees are famous for overspending. But this time they got it right.

Yes, the length of CC Sabathia’s deal may have been a bit excessive, especially after knee surgery limited him to eight starts last season. But in the end, all New York wanted was to win the World Series. In 2009, Sabathia and the Bombers did exactly that.

With four seasons of 15-plus wins and four more with a sub-four ERA, Sabathia’s tenure with New York has been a massive success. In fact, Sabathia is close to becoming the 16th pitcher in Yankees history to reach 100 wins. He’ll need to log nine victories in 2015 to accomplish that feat.

No 6: Chris Bosh, F/C, Miami Heat (6 Years, $110.1 Million)

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Chris Bosh

As far as sidekicks go, Chris Bosh is right up there with Scottie Pippen. Without Bosh, there’s no way Miami would have made it to four straight NBA Finals.

Bosh’s scoring and rebounding averages this year are his highest since 2010. And get this—Miami has a better record than LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers through 14 games.

Could Bosh be more valuable than LeBron? Probably not, but he’s certainly on the path to Springfield. If he gets invited to this year’s All-Star Game, it will be his 10th consecutive appearance.

No. 5: Zdeno Chara, D, Boston Bruins (5 Years, $37.5 Million)

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Zdeno Chara

Hockey free agency isn’t like most sports. Great players like Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos hardly ever switch teams.

That begs the question: How did the Ottawa Senators let 6'9" Zdeno Chara slip through the cracks? Who knows? Maybe Chara prefers Dunkin’ Donuts over Tim Horton’s.

Regardless, Chara has enjoyed a magical run in Boston, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011 and coming painfully close to another one in 2013. His plus/minus rating since coming to Beantown is an otherworldly +138.

At 37, Chara is still among the best defenders in hockey. He finished second to Chicago’s Duncan Keith in Norris Trophy voting last season.

No. 4: Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns (6 Years, $63 Million)

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Steve Nash

This should show you how valuable Steve Nash was in his prime. The year before Phoenix signed Nash, the Suns finished with the second-worst record in the Western Conference (29-53). The year after they signed Nash, the Suns had the best record in the NBA (62-20).

Coincidence? I think not.

The Suns never won a title with Nash, but they came awful close in 2006 (lost to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals). Don’t blame Nash, though. The Western Conference was stacked back then. It still is.

It’s been sad watching Nash’s career come to an end. Let’s remember the good times.

No. 3: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (6 Years, $60 Million)

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Drew Brees

With Philip Rivers ready to take over, you can understand why the San Diego Chargers let Drew Brees walk away in 2006. That doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do.

Brees has thrown for at least 4,000 yards each of his last eight seasons while setting a plethora of franchise records. New Orleans' Super Bowl win in 2009 rallied a city decimated by Hurricane Katrina.

Generously listed at 6’0”, Brees’ success has also opened up the door for shorter quarterbacks, like Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and last year’s Super Bowl champ Russell Wilson. Brees is currently tied with New England’s Tom Brady for fourth on the all-time touchdown list (385).

No. 2: Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos (5 Years, $96 Million)

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Peyton Manning

We’re running out of records for Peyton Manning to break. Here’s a quick sampling of some of the ones he already has.

• Most career touchdown passes (525)
• Most MVP awards (5)
• Most touchdown passes in a single season (55)
• Most passing yards in a single season (5,477)

Before Peyton showed up, the Denver Broncos were trotting out Tim Tebow at quarterback. Now Denver is the league’s premier passing offense and a perennial contender for the Super Bowl.

We know who Peyton won’t be thanking in his Hall of Fame induction speech.

No. 1: LeBron James, F, Miami Heat (6 Years, $110.1 Million)

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LeBron James

This never gets old, does it?

It’s hard to top Manning, but remember, LeBron James has always been about beating the odds (and his rapidly receding hairline).

Two regular-season MVPs, two Finals MVPs, four All-Defensive Team selections, two titles, four Finals appearances, this dunk—the accolades are endless. LeBron certainly packed a lot into four years.

And now, because LeBron's life is a screenplay, James is back in Cleveland trying to bring his home state its first championship. How’s that for a plot twist?