Contract Crowdsourcing 2013-14: David DeJesus
Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the 2013-14 free-agent market.
Note that, this year, in addition to asking readers to estimate the years/dollars each free agent is likely to receive, FanGraphs is also requesting that readers make note of how much they’d pay each free agent were they, themselves, actual GMs.
In this edition: David DeJesus.
Some relevant information regarding DeJesus:
- Has averaged 509 PA and 1.8 WAR over last three seasons.
- Has averaged 2.1 WAR per 600 PA over last three seasons.
- Recorded a 2.1 WAR in 439 PA in 2013.
- Is entering his age-34 season.
- Made $4.25M in 2013, as part of deal signed before 2012 season.
Using the form below, estimate the years and average annual dollar values both likely and ought to be received by DeJesus this offseason.
Other Players: Carlos Beltran / Marlon Byrd / Robinson Cano / Shin-Soo Choo / Nelson Cruz / Stephen Drew / Mark Ellis / Jacoby Ellsbury / Curtis Granderson / Omar Infante / Adam Lind / James Loney / Brian McCann / Mike Napoli / A.J. Pierzynski / Carlos Ruiz / Jarrod Saltalamacchia / Juan Uribe / Chris Young.
Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.
1 yr and $5M feels about right. The guy has skills.
5 Mil (the net cost of retaining DeJesus) does not buy much in the MLB these days, the Rays should pick up the option. He’s not a real high upside player but the FA market does not offer many good 5 Mil dollar alternatives.
Seems like there is a fair number of free agent OFs this winter who will come pretty cheap, and who figure to deliver good bang for the buyer’s buck. I predict that the teams that wind up with these sorts of players will be happier than the team that gives Jacoby Ellsbury $120+ mil.
That option is a steal. Think about the quality outfield the Rays will have for very little money. Jennings and Myers will be fixtures in a CF and a corner, while DeJesus and Joyce take up the remaining playing time (with Joyce slotting in a DH at times). That is a lot of bang for your buck (back of the napkin I believe those guys will cost about what the Yankees are on the hook for for Wells and Ichiro). Why do teams keep gifting guys like DeJesus and Escobar to the Rays?
old-school thinking, clubhouse concerns, and/or not being in a position to compete. hats off to the rays for taking advantage
To be fair, Yunel had two sub-2.0 WAR seasons (Smushed around a 3.5, IIRC, WAR season) before being sent to the Rays, so he wasn’t exactly being great, while his attitude was causing problems with the coach and club (writing something that means or /can/ mean “You are a faggot” is not a good way to endear yourself to the fanbase) and could cause issues with the MLB.
Considering he had not been consistantly amazing, again two sub 2.0 WAR seasons, not keeping Yunel feels quite justified.
still not sure why the Nats were so hot to rid themselves of DDJ.
DeJesus gets on base, plays reasonably good defense and bats left-handed. Plenty of teams would be happy with him, which will lead to competition for his services. I suspect he will get a two-year deal at $8M per, which seems reasonable to me.
Considering Cody Ross rec’d 3/$26M and Josh Willingham rec’d 3/$21M, I see no reason to think DeJesus should receive (or would be worth) less than $8M per.
which is why the Rays most likely pick up the option.
Ross also hit 22 HR with a 114 wRC+. Willingham hit 35 HR and had a 142 wRC+ in a pitcher’s park. DeJesus didn’t come close.
Wow, I really undervalued the guy compared to everyone else who is commenting. To me is just average on a good day. Quality 4th OF who should get about 400ab’s a season tops.
Rays have a tough decision on their hands. They will probably pick up the option but it’s not a lock considering he will be 34.
I’d pick up the option. The replacement level player costs $5 and DeJesus is between a 1-3 WAR player. So I think he is worth that.
On the market? 2 years/ $9m sounds about right to me.
They have all but given up on Joyce. Their farm is empty position player wise (Brandon Guyer excluded, but he is VERY prone to injury). The second they made this move they picked up the option. A 1.5 mil buyout, on top of his pro-rated salary this year. They didn’t pick up Dejesus with the intention of paying him 4 mil for a month of work.
Dunno why they’d all but give up on a guy who, WAR-wise, is basically the same as DeJesus, but is 5 years younger. 1.7 the last two years isn’t great, but even his “expensive” team option is only 6.5 mil, which at 5 mil per WAR makes Joyce a sweet deal.
Ignore the stuff about the contract. I was looking at DeJesus and Joyce at the same time and opened the wrong page, oops!
They got Dejesus so they could bench Joyce. Joyce has been terrible since the all star break. Non tender terrible. With Joyce entering his 2nd time through arbitration, they can’t afford to pay 2 left handed hitting left fielders 5+ mil each. It is one or the other. Dejesus has gotten all the playing time since he has been picked up, and Joyce has been sitting. He had 4 home runs in all of July, August, and September. He got 275 PA through the first 3 months. In the last 3 months, he had 206 PA.
They will not keep both Joyce and Dejesus. Dejesus is getting the bulk of the playing time, and therefore will be returning. Joyce will be traded or non tendered.
This one is academic. TB certainly picks up the option.