Good at a new team?

 

Before the 2021 season, several players signed a new contract with a new team. I’m just wondering whether some of these signings go well. 

Let’s start with Cy Young award winners. The 2020 NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer inked a record-setting deal with the Dodgers in February. He made 17 starts and tossed 107.2 innings. Bauer posted a 2.59 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. But, he’s on the restricted list and it’s unclear if he will return this season. Additionally, two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal. Kluber pitched only one inning last season and so far, he made 10 starts for the Yankees, posting a 3.04 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Kluber tossed a no-hitter against the Rangers on May 19, but Kluber is currently on the injured list. He will probably be back later this season.

In addition, Liam Hendriks has been one of the most reliable closers in the majors and he decided to ink a 3-year deal with the White Sox. By far, Hendriks already earned 28 saves with a 3.25 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP. Opponents only hit .179 against him, however, giving up 11 home runs does cause some problems. Moreover, Jake McGee and the Giants agreed to a 2-year deal in February. McGee has been pitching well as a closer. He already collected 26 saves with a 2.79 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. Opponents are only batting .185 against McGee so far.

In the 2020 season, Anthony DeSclafani had a bad 2020 with a 7.22 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. However, things went different after signing a one-year deal with the Giants. DeSclafani made 24 starts so far and already earned 11 wins. It’s his first season with double-digit wins. He now has a 3.26 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 132.2 innings. Meanwhile, Charlie Morton signed a one-year deal as well. By far, Morton already threw 140 innings for the Braves. He has 12 wins and posts a 3.47 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

Moreover, Taijuan Walker signed a 3-year deal with the New York Mets in February and he already made 23 starts. Walker owns a 3.86 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 123.2 innings.

Furthermore, the Texas Rangers signed pitcher Ian Kennedy to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Kennedy took the closer job and pitched well. When Kennedy was with the Rangers, he posted a 2.51 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP, collecting 16 saves while only blowing once. Kennedy was traded to the Phillies on July 30 and has collected 3 saves for the Phillies thus far.

A team has to do a lot of work before signing a free agent. The Giants are leading the majors with 78 wins and we can see that signing McGee and DeScalafani helps the Giants enhance pitching depth. Trevor Bauer did pitch well. However, he has some off-the-field issues and for the Dodgers, it’s probably not going to be a good investment. Corey Kluber’s no-hitter was impressive, but he already missed more than two months due to shoulder injury. Charlie Morton tosses more innings than any other Braves starting pitchers and he’s been very consistent. Without Morton, it might be hard for the Braves to be a playoff contender this year.