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Every MLB Team's Mt. Rushmore of Free-Agent Signings

Joel ReuterJan 17, 2026

From a landmark ruling in 1975 to the ongoing storylines of today, free agency has continually reshaped the MLB landscape for the last 50 years.

Every franchise's history has some memorable wins and some unforgettable duds, and we've set out to name the four greatest free-agent signings in each club's history to be chiseled into their hypothetical Mt. Rushmore.

The focus was solely on outside additions, so no re-signings or extensions. International signings were eligible, but no players who signed when they were under 25 years old, as they are subject to a different set of rules. That notably excluded Shohei Ohtani's original contract with the Angels.

Let the debate begin.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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BBN-DIAMONDBACKS-MARLINS JOHNSON 5
Randy Johnson

LHP Randy Johnson (Nov. 30, 1998)
Five years, $65.4 million

OF Steve Finley (Dec. 18, 1998)
Four years, $21.5 million

2B/SS Jay Bell (Nov. 17, 1997)
Five years, $34 million

RHP Merrill Kelly (Dec. 4, 2018)
Four years, $14.5 million

The only no-brainer selection for the D-backs is Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who stands as one of the greatest free-agent signings in MLB history. Over his initial five-year deal, he went 87-35 with a 2.66 ERA and 1,542 strikeouts in 1,144 innings, winning four straight NL Cy Young Awards and anchoring the team's 2001 World Series run.

Steve Finley and Jay Bell were also part of the initial wave of veteran talent that helped turn an expansion team into a title winner in the blink of an eye, while Merrill Kelly gets the final spot for his successful return from the KBO and eventual role in the team's 2023 World Series run.

Athletics

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Oakland Athletics v Toronto Blue Jays
Dave Henderson

OF Dave Henderson (Dec. 21, 1987)
Three years, $2.8 million

SP Mike Moore (Nov. 28, 1988)
Three years, $4 million

OF Yoenis Cespedes (Feb. 13, 2012)
Four years, $36 million

DH Frank Thomas (Jan. 31, 2006)
One year, $3.1 million

The Athletics went to the World Series every season during the initial three-year contract Dave Henderson signed with the team, and he posted a 123 OPS+ while averaging 20 home runs, 79 RBI and 5.1 WAR, making him a sneaky pick for one of the most successful signings in MLB history.

After 16 seasons with the White Sox, a 38-year-old Frank Thomas signed a modest one-year pact with the A's and hit .270/.381/.545 with 39 home runs and 114 RBI to finish fourth in 2006 AL MVP voting.

Atlanta Braves

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MLB: Archive
Greg Maddux

SP Greg Maddux (Dec. 9, 1992)
Five years, $28 million

3B Terry Pendleton (Dec. 3, 1990)
Four years, $10.2 million

SP Charlie Morton (Nov. 24, 2020)
One year, $15 million

OF Brian Jordan (Nov. 23, 1998)
Five years, $40 million

With three straight NL Cy Young Awards and two more top-five finishes during his initial five-year run in Atlanta, Greg Maddux is a legitimate candidate for the title of greatest free-agent signing in baseball history.

Terry Pendleton helped lead the Braves to their first World Series appearance since 1958 in his first season in Atlanta in 1991. He hit .319/.363/.517 with 22 home runs and 86 RBI, capturing the NL batting title and edging out Barry Bonds for NL MVP honors. He also finished runner-up in MVP voting the following year.

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Baltimore Orioles

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Baltimore Orioles
Rafael Palmeiro

1B Rafael Palmeiro (Dec. 12, 1993)
Five years, $30 million

2B Roberto Alomar (Dec. 21, 1995)
Three years, $18 million

SS Miguel Tejada (Dec. 8, 2003)
Six years, $72 million

DH Nelson Cruz (Feb. 24, 2014)
One year, $8.75 million

The Orioles have often featured a high-powered offense and middling pitching over the past several decades, so it's no surprise to see four hitters as their top four free-agent signings.

Rafael Palmeiro slugged 182 home runs and racked up 23.4 WAR during his five seasons with the Orioles, while Roberto Alomar helped the team reach the ALCS twice during his brief three-year stretch in Baltimore playing alongside him.

Boston Red Sox

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Tampa Bay Devil Rays v Boston Red Sox
Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz

DH David Ortiz (Jan. 22, 2003)
One year, $1.25 million

OF Manny Ramirez (Dec. 19, 2000)
Eight years, $160 million

OF Johnny Damon (Dec. 21, 2001)
Four years, $31 million

DH J.D. Martinez (Feb. 26, 2018)
Five years, $110.7 million

During the same offseason when Alex Rodriguez signed his record-setting $252 million deal with the Rangers, the Red Sox also broke the bank with a massive eight-year, $160 million deal for slugger Manny Ramirez.

That signing gave the team a face of the franchise on the other side of the Mo Vaughn era, and they steadily filled out the roster around him. The buy-low roll of the dice on David Ortiz after he was non-tendered by the Twins truly altered the course of baseball history.

Chicago Cubs

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Chicago Cubs Introduce Jon Lester
Jon Lester

SP Jon Lester (Dec. 10, 2014)
Six years, $155 million

OF Andre Dawson (March 9, 1987)
One year, $650,000

2B Ben Zobrist (Dec. 8, 2015)
Four years, $56 million

OF Moises Alou (Dec. 19, 2001)
Three years, $27 million

The Jon Lester signing was the move that announced the Cubs were officially finished rebuilding and ready to legitimately contend for a title, while the Ben Zobrist signing proved in many ways to be the missing piece that pushed them over the top in 2016.

Slotted in between those title-winning additions is the legendary "blank check" signing of Andre Dawson amid owner collusion during the 1986-87 offseason. He captured 1987 NL MVP honors on the strength of a 49-homer, 137-RBI campaign, despite playing for a 76-85 team.

Chicago White Sox

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Sports Contributor Archive 2019
Carlton Fisk

C Carlton Fisk (March 18, 1981)
Five years, $3 million

1B José Abreu (Oct. 29, 2013)
Six years, $68 million

OF Jermaine Dye (Dec. 9, 2004)
Three years, $16.9 million

C A.J. Pierzynski (Jan. 6, 2005)
One year, $2.25 million

Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk was already 33 years old when he joined the White Sox, but he went on to play 13 more seasons on the South Side. He finished third in AL MVP voting in 1983 while helping lead the White Sox to their first playoff appearance since 1959.

Jermaine Dye and A.J. Pierzynski were both integral pieces of the 2005 World Series team, with Dye taking home World Series MVP honors, while Pierzynski anchored the best pitching staff in baseball and was a leading voice in the clubhouse.

Cincinnati Reds

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Cincinnati Reds
Dave Parker

OF Dave Parker (Dec. 7, 1983)
Two years, $2.07 million

RP Aroldis Chapman (Jan. 11, 2010)
Six years, $30.25 million

RP Jeff Brantley (Jan. 4, 1994)
One year, $1.5 million

OF Ron Gant (June 21, 1994)
Two years, $3.609 million

Successful free-agent signings have been few and far between over the years for the Reds, but they did get a runner-up MVP finish from Dave Parker in 1985 and a flame-throwing closer in Aroldis Chapman after he defected from Cuba.

Beyond that duo, All-Star closer Jeff Brantley and successful reclamation project Ron Gant round out the list, edging out one really good year of Nick Castellanos before he opted out of the final two seasons of his four-year, $64 million deal.

Cleveland Guardians

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Cleveland Indians v New York Yankees
Roberto Alomar

2B Roberto Alomar (Dec. 1, 1998)
Four years, $32 million

SP Dennis Martinez (Dec. 2, 1993)
Three years, $13.25 million

SP Orel Hershiser (April 8, 1995)
One year, $1.45 million

DH Eddie Murray (Dec. 2, 1993)
Two years, $6 million

During his three seasons in Cleveland, Roberto Alomar hit .323/.405/.515 for a 134 OPS+ while averaging 21 home runs, 103 RBI, 121 runs scored, 35 steals and 6.8 WAR. The organization also deserves credit for cutting ties at the perfect time, as his production cratered after he was traded to the Mets ahead of the final season of his contract.

Dennis Martinez and Orel Hershiser fronted the starting rotation alongside Charles Nagy during their run to the 1995 World Series, while Eddie Murray provided a veteran voice and a productive bat in the DH role. That '95 team stands as one of the best clubs in MLB history that didn't win a title.

Colorado Rockies

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Colorado Rockies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Larry Walker

OF Larry Walker (April 8, 1995)
Four years, $22.5 million

1B Andres Galarraga (Nov. 16, 1992)
One year, $600,000

OF Ellis Burks (Nov. 30, 1993)
Three years, $10 million

OF Michael Cuddyer (Dec. 16, 2011)
Three years, $31.5 million

Larry Walker was already an All-Star when he joined the Rockies, but he immediately took his game to another level. In 1997, he hit .366/.452/.720 with 49 home runs, 130 RBI, 33 steals and 9.8 WAR to win NL MVP honors, and he ended up spending 10 years with the Rockies.

First baseman Andres Galarraga won the NL batting title with a .370/.403/.602 line and led the team with 22 home runs and 98 RBI during their expansion season in 1993, jump-starting his career and kicking off an impressive five-year run with the organization.

Detroit Tigers

11 of 30
Ivan Rodriguez Signs With The Detroit Tigers
Ivan Rodríguez

C Ivan Rodríguez (Feb. 6, 2004)
Five years, $53 million

3B Darrell Evans (Dec. 17, 1983)
Three years, $2.25 million

1B Cecil Fielder (Jan. 15, 1990)
Two years, $3 million

OF Magglio Ordóñez (Feb. 7, 2005)
Six years, $84 million

The Tigers slogged through 10 straight losing seasons prior to signing Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodríguez, and that was the first step in an impressive turnaround that also saw them add Magglio Ordóñez. In 2006, they improved from 71 to 95 wins and reached the World Series.

Veteran Darrell Evans was a key contributor on the 1984 title team and led the AL with 40 home runs in 1985, while Cecil Fielder was the face of the franchise during some lean years in the 90s and turned in the league's first 50-homer season since 1977 in his return stateside after a stint in Japan.

Houston Astros

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Portrait of Nolan Ryan

SP Nolan Ryan (Nov. 19, 1979)
Four years, $4.5 million

SP Roger Clemens (Jan. 19, 2004)
One year, $6.825 million

SP Andy Pettitte (Dec. 16, 2003)
Three years, $31.5 million

2B Jeff Kent (Dec. 18, 2002)
Two years, $18.2 million

The Nolan Ryan deal was a major milestone in MLB history, as it made him the first player to earn more than $1 million in a single season. He led the NL with a 1.69 ERA during the abridged 1981 season, and twirled 10 shutouts and one no-hitter during his first four seasons in Houston while posting a 2.91 ERA in 829.1 innings.

Roger Clemens won his seventh and final Cy Young Award in the first of a series of one-year deals with the Astros, and he anchored the rotation alongside Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt for the Houston squad that reached the World Series in 2005.

Kansas City Royals

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Kansas City Royals v New York Yankees
David Cone

SP David Cone (Dec. 8, 1992)
Three years, $18 million

DH Kendrys Morales (Dec. 16, 2014)
Two years, $18.5 million

SP Edinson Vólquez (Dec. 29, 2014)
Two years, $20 million

SP Seth Lugo (Dec. 14, 2023)
Two years, $30 million

Owner Ewing Kauffman made the ill-fated decision to trade a young David Cone to the Mets in 1987, and when he hit the open market prior to the 1993 season, he made him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball and gave him an unheard-of $9 million signing bonus. Cone delivered with a 7.2-WAR season in '93 and AL Cy Young honors in '94.

Kendrys Morales and Edinson Vólquez were both key contributors to the 2015 World Series title run, with Morales leading that team in RBI (102) and OPS+ (127), while Vólquez turned in quality starts in Game 1 and Game 5 of the Fall Classic.

Los Angeles Angels

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Sporting News Archive

OF Vladimir Guerrero (Jan. 14, 2004)
Six years, $85 million

2B Bobby Grich (Nov. 24, 1976)
Five years, $1.5 million

OF Torii Hunter (Nov. 22, 2007)
Five years, $90 million

SP Bartolo Colón (Dec. 10, 2003)
Four years, $51 million

Vladimir Guerrero (2004 AL MVP) and Bartolo Colón (2005 AL Cy Young) both took home significant hardware during their time with the Angels, and Guerrero put together an impressive overall run with a 141 OPS+, 173 home runs and 22.8 WAR over his six-year deal.

One important note here is that Shohei Ohtani was ineligible for inclusion since he was technically signed as an amateur international free agent and not a traditional free agent, putting him in the same category as most teenage international signings.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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MLB: Dodgers Ohtani Introduction
Shohei Ohtani

DH/RHP Shohei Ohtani (Dec. 11, 2023)
10 years, $700 million ($680 million deferred)

1B Freddie Freeman (March 18, 2022)
Six years, $162 million

OF Kirk Gibson (Jan. 29, 1988)
Three years, $4.5 million

SP Zack Greinke (Dec. 10, 2012)
Three years, $76 million

Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman have a chance to be cornerstone pieces of a legitimate baseball dynasty if the Dodgers can continue steamrolling the rest of baseball in the coming years, and they have already cemented their place as the two best signings in franchise history.

Kirk Gibson would make the Mt. Rushmore for his 1988 season alone, as he hit .290/.377/.483 for a 148 OPS+ with 25 home runs and 31 steals to claim NL MVP honors, then delivered one of the most memorable home runs in MLB history in Game 1 of the World Series.

Miami Marlins

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Florida Marlins v San Francisco Giants
Kevin Brown

SP Kevin Brown (Dec. 22, 1995)
Three years, $12.6 million

C Ivan Rodríguez (Jan. 28, 2003)
One year, $10 million

OF Moises Alou (Dec. 12, 1996)
Five years, $25 million

SP Al Leiter (Dec. 14, 1995)
Three years, $8.6 million

Fans talk a lot about teams like the Dodgers "buying" a title, but that's truly what the Marlins did in 1997 as they assembled a title-winning roster with a flurry of free-agent activity, then dismantled the roster in a massive fire sale. Kevin Brown, Moises Alou and Al Leiter were all key members of that team who were jettisoned on the other side.

The 2003 World Series title team was more of an in-house build, though veteran catcher Ivan Rodríguez was the final piece of the puzzle and one of the most successful one-year contracts in baseball history.

Milwaukee Brewers

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Milwaukee Brewers v Baltimore Orioles
Sal Bando

3B Sal Bando (Nov. 19, 1976)
Five years, $1.5 million

DH Dave Parker (Dec. 3, 1989)
Three years, $2.5 million

OF Lorenzo Cain (Jan. 26, 2018)
Five years, $80 million

OF Mike Cameron (Jan. 11, 2008)
Two years, $16.5 million

The Brewers have rarely waded into the deep end of the free agency pool, but they made a splash in the early days of the open market when they signed longtime Athletics third baseman Sal Bando to a five-year deal.

Dave Parker won a Silver Slugger in his lone season in Milwaukee before he was traded and Lorenzo Cain had 9.4 WAR over his first two years in Milwaukee before dealing with injuries, making them similar to the Bando deal in their early boom and late fizzle.

Minnesota Twins

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Minnesota Twins vs Atlanta Braves, 1991 World Series
Jack Morris

SP Jack Morris (Feb. 5, 1991)
One year, $3.7 million

DH Chili Davis (Jan. 29, 1991)
Two years, $4.5 million

DH Nelson Cruz (Jan. 2, 2019)
Two years, $26 million

DH Paul Molitor (Dec. 5, 1995)
Two years, $5.5 million

Has there ever been a more impactful one-year signing than Jack Morris in Minnesota? He earned an All-Star selection and finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting during the regular season, then put the team on his back in the playoffs, turning in a 10-inning, complete game shutout against the Braves in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.

Chili Davis was also a key member of the 1991 title winner, while fellow designated hitters Nelson Cruz and Paul Molitor more than lived up to their contracts in brief but memorable runs with the team.

New York Mets

19 of 30
New York Mets Introduce Carlos Beltan
Carlos Beltrán

OF Carlos Beltrán (Jan. 13, 2005)
Seven years, $119 million

3B Robin Ventura (Dec. 1, 1998)
Four years, $32 million

OF Curtis Granderson (Dec. 9, 2013)
Four years, $60 million

SP Pedro Martinez (Dec. 15, 2004)
Four years, $53 million

One of the most successful $100 million-plus contracts in MLB history belongs to Carlos Beltran, who was a five-time All-Star and tallied 149 home runs, 100 steals and 31.1 WAR with a 129 OPS+ during his time with the Mets. Bonus points for the front office flipping him to the Giants for a young Zack Wheeler a few months before he reached free agency.

Robin Ventura, Curtis Granderson and Pedro Martinez are all better remembered for their time elsewhere, but they were productive players during their time in a Mets uniform. How long before Juan Soto pushes his way into the conversation?

New York Yankees

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Reggie Jackson Putting on Yankee Hat
Reggie Jackson

OF Reggie Jackson (Nov. 29, 1976)
Five years, $2.9 million

SP Gerrit Cole (Dec. 18, 2019)
Nine years, $324 million

SP Mike Mussina (Dec. 7, 2000)
Six years, $87 million

SP Orlando Hernandez (March 23, 1998)
Four years, $6.6 million

Reggie Jackson was one of the first marquee players to change teams in free agency, and he carved out his "Mr. October" legacy with 12 home runs in 34 playoff games for the Yankees.

This was the toughest team to narrow to just four picks, and while guys like Dave Winfield, Hideki Matsui, CC Sabathia, Jimmy Key, Mark Teixeira and Catfish Hunter all deserve a mention, the final spot goes to Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez on the strength of his playoff performance during the team's three-peat from 1998-2000. In 11 appearances, he went 8-1 with a 2.20 ERA and .194 opponents' batting average in 73.2 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies

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Pete Rose After Signing Contract with Phillies

1B Pete Rose (Dec. 5, 1978)
Four years, $3.225 million

OF Bryce Harper (March 2, 2019)
13 years, $330 million

SP Zack Wheeler (Dec. 9, 2019)
Five years, $118 million

DH Kyle Schwarber (March 20, 2022)
Four years, $79 million

He will always be best remembered as one of the faces of the "Big Red Machine," but Pete Rose was also instrumental in helping the Phillies win their first World Series title in franchise history in 1980. He batted .300/.375/.376 and earned four straight All-Star selections during his first four years in Philadelphia.

Zack Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber have since re-upped with the Phillies on new deals, but their initial runs with the team both provided elite-level production and more than lived up to their price tags.

Pittsburgh Pirates

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Chicago Cubs v Pittsburgh Pirates
Russell Martin

C Russell Martin (Nov. 30, 2012)
Two years, $17 million

SP Francisco Liriano (Feb. 8, 2013)
Two years, $10.75 million

SP Jim Bibby (March 15, 1978)
Five years, $700,000

OF Reggie Sanders (March 10, 2003)
One year, $1.05 million

The Pirates snapped a 20-year playoff drought in Russell Martin's first season with the team, and made a return trip to the postseason the following year. He posted a 116 OPS+ while averaging 13 home runs, 61 RBI and 2.4 WAR, and was a veteran leader for a young pitching staff.

Handing out low-risk, one-year deals has been a staple of Pirates free agency for decades, but none has been more successful than veteran outfielder Reggie Sanders. The 35-year-old posted a 131 OPS+ with 31 home runs, 87 RBI and 3.1 WAR in his lone season in Pittsburgh.

San Diego Padres

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San Diego Padres Introduce Manny Machado
Manny Machado

3B Manny Machado (Feb. 21, 2019)
Five years, $150 million (opted out midway through 10-year deal)

1B Steve Garvey (Dec. 21, 1982)
Five years, $6.6 million

RP Rollie Fingers (Dec. 14, 1976)
Six years, $1.6 million

RP Goose Gossage (Jan. 6, 1984)
Five years, $5.5 million

Manny Machado initially joined the Padres on a 10-year, $300 million deal, but five years into that contract he voided the back end of the deal when he was signed to a new 11-year, $350 million contract, effectively avoiding an impending opt-out.

Long-term deals for relief pitchers are generally a risky move, but the Padres did well in signing two future Hall of Famers in Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage to anchor their relief corps in the early days of the bullpen era.

San Francisco Giants

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San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs
Barry Bonds

OF Barry Bonds (Dec. 8, 1992)
Six years, $43 million

OF Brett Butler (Dec. 1, 1987)
Three years, $3.1 million

RP Jeremy Affeldt (Nov. 17, 2008)
Two years, $8 million

SP Ryan Vogelsong (Jan. 11, 2011)
One year, $500,000

The six-year, $43 million deal that Barry Bonds signed with the Giants was the largest deal in MLB history at the time, and understandably so as he was already a two-time MVP and in the prime of his career entering his age-28 campaign. The move effectively saved baseball in San Francisco.

Jeremy Affeldt and Ryan Vogelsong were both unheralded contributors during the team's impressive run of three titles in a five-year span, with Vogelsong resurrecting his career on a minor league deal in 2011.

Seattle Mariners

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New Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki (L) is welcomed
Ichiro Suzuki

OF Ichiro Suzuki (Nov. 30, 2000)
Three years, $14.088 million

2B Bret Boone (Dec. 22, 2000)
One year, $4.05 million

DH Nelson Cruz (Dec. 4, 2014)
Four years, $57 million

1B John Olerud (Dec. 15, 1999)
Three years, $20 million

Ichiro Suzuki was the first Japanese-born position player to make the jump to Major League Baseball, and questions about how his game would translate explain his modest initial contract. He won 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP honors while leading the Mariners to a 116-win season and quickly established himself as one of the faces of baseball and a Hall of Famer.

Bret Boone and John Olerud were also key contributors to that 116-win team, forming one of the better right sides of the infield in all of baseball during their time as teammates.

St. Louis Cardinals

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Reds v Cardinals
Chris Carpenter

SP Chris Carpenter (Dec. 13, 2002)
One year, $300,000

C Darrell Porter (Dec. 7, 1980)
Five years, $3.5 million

SS David Eckstein (Dec. 23, 2004)
Three years, $10.25 million

DH Lance Berkman (Dec. 4, 2010)
One year, $8 million

After an inconsistent tenure in Toronto, Chris Carpenter signed a one-year, $300,000 deal ahead of the 2003 season that included a 2004 club option. He didn't pitch in the majors in 2003 and his option was declined for a $200,000 buyout. However, the Cardinals re-signed him, and he then emerged as a rotation staple, winning 2005 NL Cy Young and spending nearly a decade with the club.

Darrell Porter (1982) and David Eckstein (2006) are two of the most unlikely World Series MVP winners in history, and both were initially brought aboard as under-the-radar free-agent signings.

Tampa Bay Rays

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Tampa Bay Devil Rays v Chicago White Sox
Carlos Peña

1B Carlos Peña (Jan. 29, 2007)
One year, $1.2 million

RP Fernando Rodney (Jan. 4, 2012)
Two years, $4.25 million

SP Charlie Morton (Dec. 21, 2018)
Two years, $30 million

SP Zach Eflin (Dec. 13, 2022)
Three years, $40 million

The No. 10 overall pick in the 1998 draft and a top prospect during his time in the minors, Carlos Peña spent time with the Rangers, Athletics, Tigers, Yankees and Red Sox before finally breaking through with the Rays. He had a 46-homer, 121-RBI, 7.2-WAR season in 2007 when he was playing on a one-year deal, and followed that up with two more 30-homer campaigns.

Charlie Morton and Zach Eflin are rare examples of the Rays actually spending in free agency, and both had a top-10 finish in AL Cy Young voting during their time in Tampa Bay.

Texas Rangers

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Colorado Rockies v Texas Rangers
Corey Seager

SS Corey Seager (Dec. 1, 2021)
10 years, $325 million

3B Adrián Beltré (Jan. 5, 2011)
Six years, $96 million

SP Nolan Ryan (Dec. 7, 1988)
Two years, $3.2 million

1B Rafael Palmeiro (Dec. 4, 1998)
Five years, $45 million

Corey Seager still has six years and $189 million remaining on his contract, and the back end of that deal could get ugly, but he has already made his mark on the organization by winning 2023 World Series MVP honors. He has piled up 22.1 WAR during his first four seasons in Texas.

The Rangers gave Adrián Beltré a long-term deal after a successful one-year pillow contract with the Red Sox, and Texas is where he turned a solid career into a Hall of Fame career.

Toronto Blue Jays

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Toronto Blue Jays
Paul Molitor

DH Paul Molitor (Dec. 7, 1992)
Three years, $13 million

SP Roger Clemens (Dec. 13, 1996)
Four years, $40 million

OF George Springer (Jan. 23, 2021)
Six years, $150 million

SP Jack Morris (Dec. 18, 1991)
Two years, $10.85 million

In his first season with the Blue Jays after a 15-year run in Milwaukee, Paul Molitor hit .332/.402/.509 with 211 hits, 22 home runs, 111 RBI and 5.6 WAR to finish runner-up in AL MVP voting. He then went 12-for-24 with six extra-base hits and eight RBI against the Phillies in the Fall Classic to win World Series MVP honors.

Roger Clemens only spent the first two seasons of his four-year deal with the Blue Jays before he was traded to the Yankees, but he won the AL Cy Young both years, going a combined 41-13 with a 2.33 ERA in 498.2 innings and 20.1 WAR.

Washington Nationals

30 of 30
Press conference for newly acquired pitcher Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer

SP Max Scherzer (Jan. 21, 2015)
Seven years, $210 million

2B Daniel Murphy (Jan. 6, 2016)
Three years, $37.5 million

OF Jayson Werth (Dec. 5, 2010)
Seven years, $126 million

SP Patrick Corbin (Dec. 7, 2018)
Six years, $140 million

With two Cy Young Awards and four other top-five finishes in voting, Max Scherzer signed one of the most successful contracts in MLB history. He also helped lead the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019, and there's a good chance he will go into the Hall of Fame wearing a Nats hat.

Jayson Werth and Patrick Corbin are no doubt controversial picks, but the Werth signing signaled a shift to major market spending for a Nationals side looking to take a step forward, while Corbin was a key cog in the 2019 title team before falling off dramatically.

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