5 Players Who Will Get Overpaid at MLB Winter Meetings
By Chris Russo
Some teams can pull off great signings at the Winter Meetings, like the Boston Red Sox did when they started a dynasty by signing Manny Ramirez. Yet again, the Texas Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez that same week for the biggest deal ever, and it would only result in three last-place seasons. With the Winter Meetings approaching, here are five players who could end up getting overpaid.
5. Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances only recorded two outs in the MLB in 2019, but at least one team is probably willing to take a chance on him. Though a bone spur in his throwing shoulder and an Achilles injury left him off the field for most of the year, executives will also remember that, in 2018, he became the first reliever to strike out 100 batters in five consecutive seasons. His high-strikeout upside will certainly make him one of the more coveted arms on the market, but he's also a big risk given his injury history.
4. Howie Kendrick
Howie Kendrick will never have to buy a meal in D.C. again thanks to his NLDS-winning grand slam and World Series-winning home run. However, he should definitely have the means to do so. There's no doubt Kendrick can still play, but at 36, his production may soon begin to drop off. He may end up getting a deal that outweighs the production he'll offer over the next few years.
3. Maikel Franco
Maikel Franco took a big step backward this year after averaging 24 home runs and 77 RBI over the previous three. He hit 17 home runs and 56 RBI while hitting just .234 as the epitome of an underachieving Philaelphia Phillies team, and even got demoted to the minors for a stretch. Some team may be intrigued by his former top prospect pedigree and offer him a sizable deal.
2. Nicholas Castellanos
It would probably be a good investment to sign Nicholas Castellanos, but it all depends on how much money teams will spend. Castellanos posted 16 home runs, 36 RBI, and a .321 average in 51 games with the Chicago Cubs last year, displaying power numbers the likes of which we hadn't seen previously from the outfielder. He certainly played himself into a favorable situation this offseason, and it's very likely he walks away with a huge deal.
1. Daniel Hudson
Like they did with Howie Kendrick, the Washington Nationals may have found lightning in a bottle with Daniel Hudson. Though he posted a stellar 1.44 ERA after the Toronto Blue Jays traded him last summer, Hudson had not previously posted an ERA below 4.00 since 2015. Some team will surely gamble that his improvements in 2019 are sustainable.