Last week, Jon Heyman posted a list of his Top Free Agent Signings based on impact per dollar. Both Marlon Byrd, No. 10, and LaTroy Hawkins, No. 25, made the cut for the Mets. Here are the best of the best, as he calls them, of the free-agent pickups for the 2013 season, ranked in order of impact per dollars:
1. Francisco Liriano, Pirates SP, $1M, 1 year: The deal was reworked down to make it a one-year guarantee that is incentive-laden with a second-year vest after he broke his non-pitching arm in a household incident, and even though he’s going to earn all the money, he’s a significant steal. (The original deal was for $12.75 million over two years.) With the exception of a couple rare bad outings, Liriano has been as good as almost any starter in the NL, going 16-7 with a 2.92 and showing the great promise showed early in his Twins career. One of many smart moves by Pirates GM Neal Huntington.
2. Koji Uehara, Red Sox RP, $4.5M, 1 year
3. Bartolo Colon, A’s SP, $3M, 1 year
4. David Ortiz, Red Sox, $26M, 2 years
5. Anibal Sanchez, Tigers SP, $80M, 5 years
6. Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners SP, $14M, 2 years
7. Shane Victorino, Red Sox OF, $39M, 3 years
8. James Loney, Rays 1B, $2M, 1 year
9. Zack Greinke, Dodgers SP, $147M, 6 years
10. Marlon Byrd, Mets/Pirates OF, $700,000, 1 year: His career appeared over until he went to the Mexican League and starred, giving him one final chance. Made the most of it with a breakout year out of nowhere at age 35. His .515 slugging percentage is a career best, by far. Brought the Mets two good young pieces, infielder Dilson Herrera and reliever Vic Black.
11. Kyle Lohse, Brewers SP, $33M, 3 years
12. Mike Napoli, Red Sox 1B, $5M, 1 year
13. Jason Grilli, Pirates RP, $6.75M, 2 years
14. Russell Martin, Pirates C, $17M, 2 years
15. Ryan Raburn, Indians OF, minor-league deal
16. Torii Hunter, Tigers OF, $26M, 2 years
17. Stephen Drew, Red Sox SS, $9.5M, 1 year
18. Nate Schierholtz, Cubs OF, $2.25M, 1 year
19. Lyle Overbay, Yankees 1B, minor-league deal
20. Nate McLouth, Orioles OF, $2M, 1 year
21. Dioner Navarro, Cubs C, $1.75M, 1 year
22. A.J. Pierzynski, Rangers C, $7.5M, 1 year
23. Raul Ibanez, Mariners OF, $2.75M, 1 year
24. Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers/Orioles RP, minor-league deal
25. LaTroy Hawkins, Mets RP, $1M, 1 year: At 40 he’s as good as ever, with 50 strikeouts and 10 walks. A rare Mets reliever who stayed healthy.
