Alex Bregman, the former Houston Astros star and a standout third baseman, is currently a free agent and the most sought-after player on the MLB open market. While he finds himself in a solitary situation reminiscent of the Will Smith Bel-Air meme, he is certainly not the first high-profile MLB All-Star to have their free agency stretch into February.
Here’s a look at 10 All-Stars who faced similar circumstances, signing contracts in February or even later, excluding the 2021-22 offseason contracts due to the lockout.
Ivan Rodriguez and the Detroit Tigers (2004)
On Groundhog Day 2004, Rodriguez inked a four-year, $40 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, marking a significant acquisition for the franchise. As one of the premier catchers in baseball, he made an immediate impact, batting .334 and driving in 86 runs that season. His defensive prowess was equally impressive, as he led all catchers in caught stealing percentage in both 2005 and 2006.
During his four-plus seasons in Detroit, Rodriguez maintained a solid .298/.328/.449 slash line, culminating in a World Series appearance in 2006.
Magglio Ordonez and the Tigers (2005)
After a challenging 2004 season with the Chicago White Sox, where he played only 52 games due to injuries, Ordonez was signed by the Tigers on a five-year, $75 million deal. Despite another injury-limited season in 2005, he rebounded to perform at an MVP level from 2006 to 2008, hitting over 20 home runs and driving in more than 100 RBIs in each of those years. His 2007 season was particularly noteworthy, as he won the batting title with a .363 average and led the league with 54 doubles.
Had it not been for Alex Rodriguez’s record-breaking season, Ordonez might have taken home the MVP award that year as well.
James Shields and the San Diego Padres (2015)
In a busy offseason, Shields joined the San Diego Padres after helping the Kansas City Royals reach the 2014 World Series. The Padres signed him to a five-year, $75 million contract, hoping he would become their ace. His first season in San Diego featured a respectable 3.91 ERA and 216 strikeouts over 33 starts, but his performance dipped in subsequent years, leading to a trade to the White Sox in 2016, where the Padres received future star Fernando Tatis Jr. in return.
Yu Darvish and the Chicago Cubs (2018)
In a surprising move, the Chicago Cubs let go of their ace to sign Yu Darvish, a five-time All-Star, to a six-year, $126 million contract. Darvish’s time in Chicago was a rollercoaster; he pitched only eight games in his first season due to an elbow injury but bounced back with a stellar 2.01 ERA in the shortened 2020 season. Ultimately, he was traded to San Diego as the Cubs aimed to reduce payroll.
Eric Hosmer and the Padres (2018)
After the 2017 season, Hosmer, a key player from the 2015 World Series-winning Royals, signed an eight-year, $144 million deal with the Padres. This contract was the largest in franchise history at the time. Although he was a four-time Gold Glove winner, his performance in San Diego was underwhelming, as he only surpassed an OPS of .750 once and was traded away in the fifth year of his contract.
J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox (2018)
J.D. Martinez signed a five-year, $110 million deal with the Boston Red Sox shortly after Valentine’s Day. Coming off a career-high 45 home runs, Martinez provided the offensive boost the Red Sox needed, hitting 43 home runs and leading the league with 130 RBIs in his first season, which culminated in a World Series championship for Boston.
Over his five years in Boston, he achieved a .526 slugging percentage, consistently delivering with over 25 home runs and 95 RBIs in multiple seasons.
Jake Arrieta and the Philadelphia Phillies (2018)
After a long offseason, Arrieta, once a top starting pitcher, finally signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in March. He had previously won the National League Cy Young in 2015 with a remarkable 1.77 ERA. However, his performance in Philadelphia was mixed; despite a solid first season, injuries plagued him in subsequent years, leading to his last MLB appearance in 2021.
Manny Machado and the Padres (2019)
Machado’s tenure with the Padres has been significant, highlighted by his contributions to the team reaching the playoffs in 2020 and the NL Championship Series in 2022.
Bryce Harper and the Phillies (2019)
After seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, Harper signed a groundbreaking 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. This contract, which included no opt-outs or trade clauses, has proven worthwhile, as Harper captured the NL MVP award in 2021 and played a crucial role in leading the Phillies to the World Series in 2022. Across his six seasons in Philadelphia, he has maintained a .285/.391/.533 slash line and consistently hit over 30 home runs.
Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants (2024)
Blake Snell’s journey through the 2023 season and subsequent free agency stands out in MLB history. After winning the NL Cy Young with a stellar 2.25 ERA and leading the league with 99 walks, Snell entered free agency without a long-term deal. He ultimately signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in March, which included an opt-out clause. Despite a rocky start to the season, he rebounded to post a remarkable 1.23 ERA over his final 14 starts, including a no-hitter, before opting out and securing a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
