The 3 Best Types Of Free Agent Signings

Now that Free Agency is in full-swing, I thought I'd toss out a hot sports opinion and see if I could get a little discussion (argument) going.

What are the 3 best types of free-agent signings?

Number 1: "The Game-Changer"...the one player that can change the fortunes of the franchise (also-ran to contender or contender to Champ).  This is the rarest type of good FA signing for 2 reasons: first, there simply aren't that many players who can change franchise fortunes by themselves, and two (this is less of a factor in Hobbs because of our lower salary cap), the price you pay for Game Changers can leave you fatally weak at other positions.

In this year's class, Hasegawa could certainly be a Game-Changer: Texas is coming off a 67-win season in which they had better-than league-average pitching.  Plus, 89 wins got a Wild Card in the NL last year.

The classic Game-Changer is a starting pitcher who takes a contender into the playoffs and then dominates the playoffs (like Lawrence Hannity's 1.04 ERA in 43 post-season innings last year, but Hannity was acquired via trade).  The fact that I can't think of an actual example is a testament to how rare this one is.

Number 2:  "The late-free acency wart-filled bargain"...usually an older player, but the key factor is they're disregarded by most teams for some reason be it age, a glaringly  deficient rating, whatever.  Classic example from my team:  Rio Molina.  Obvious wart: 38 control.  But in his 4 seasons with me he's been around his career norm (low 4's ERA)...nothing great, but I can put him away at playoff time.  But in the regular season he's a decent innings-eater for only $2MM a year.

There are always a few of these every year.  I've always thought the most consistent good values  are found among older players on or after the last day of FA.

Number 3:  "The Cycle One Oops"...the guys who manage to slip through the cracks on the very first cycle of FA.  Not sure why...maybe it's that the cycle falls in the middle of the night, or maybe everyone's just not in tune with the start of FA, but bargains are found here. 2 good ones this year:  RP's Parker Walker and Enerio Tatis.

What do you think?  Have you bought FA's like these?  Are there other types that are as good or better?  Disagree completely?   Add your comments below or put a blurb on the WC.