Inspired by the great deal by
@Mr. Radpants for Wadford, I looked for an all-value team in this free agent class. These values are based on their initial demand, so they may have actually signed for higher or lower.
C: Dani Mendoza - Predicted WAR: 2.3, Demand: $1.4m, $/WAR: $611k
- Mendoza is a great option as a back-up, but serviceable as a starter. He's just two years removed from a 3.2 WAR season, and he had an average bat (100 wRC+) last year, but is at a premium position with a + glove. Special mention of Efren Losorata, who is predicted for 2.7 WAR (over 140 games, which he will likely play less), but had a slightly higher demand. Nice snag by
@fignuts
1B: Nelson Eastick - Predicted WAR: 2.4, Demand: $9.5m, $/WAR: $3.9m
- It's no surprise that we've seen a few GMs asking for first baseman, since it was Eastick and nobody else in free agency. Eastick himself isn't great value, but the $7.5m that he signed for is more reasonable. Plus, he'll give a bump to fan interest. A couple guys who are not 1B but can play there were/are also available - most notably, Van Halen, PJ Byrne, and Wade Pimblett.
2B: Juan Flores - Predicted WAR: 2.8, Demand: $2.4m, $/WAR: $855k
- Van Halen is actually tops here, but I know his cost has gone way up so I won't include him. Flores has two straight years of a + bat and can play a variety of positions. A great utility infielder, but plenty capable of starting, as well.
SS: Wade Pimblett - Predicted WAR: 3.1, Demand: $1.3m, $/WAR: $407k
- Pimblett is actually going to play third for me, but he's great value across the board. SS actually has five free agents with predicted WARs above 2, including Pimblett, who are all available for under $1.3m; the others are Joly, Requero, Evangelista, and Poore.
3B: Felix Lopez - Predicted WAR: 1.3, Demand: $1.2m, $/WAR: $945k
- Third base does not have a single player with a predicted WAR above 1.4; and Brian Brown's initial demand was $8m. Cross is the only other player predicted a single win above replacement. WOOF
LF: Miguel Gonzalez - Predicted WAR: 2.5, Demand: $3.1m, $/WAR: $1.2m
- Pooky can't play the field, but still has a well above average bat. His demand is higher than other players on this list, but not much else available in left field. Joosten is the only other player predicted above replacement level.
CF: Liam Odgers - Predicted WAR: 1.5, Demand: $1.5m, $/WAR: $980k
- There's two big money players here, and Odgers. He's not quite starter quality, but he's a great utility outfielder with his well-rounded defense and speed.
RF: Ross Wookey - Predicted WAR: 2.4, Demand: $3m, $/WAR: 1.2m
- Wookey is an almost neutral fielder, but has a + bat and is extremely cheap. Cesar Hernandez is actually a cheaper option (1.7/$1.6m), but I tried to go above 2 WAR whenever possible.
DH: Thomas Zinck - Predicted WAR: 1.5, Demand: $2.6m, $/WAR: 1.6m
- Of the three decent DHs, Zinck is basically neck and neck with Muli (1.3/$2.2m) in value. Hubert is a more expensive, but more productive option (2.9/$8.5m).
I only used listed positions for sake of time. Still, there's about 18 WAR here for $25m, most of that Eastick. If you take him off, it's 15.5 WAR for $15.5m. I'll do the pitchers another day, but I know there's some value in the pitching staff that's already signed (Loeve, Wadford), so I imagine you could put together a 70 win team from just free agents.