Chase Headley: Great Value at Third Base

Third base is a tough position to fill. Players typically have to hit almost as well as a first baseman with fielding ability just a little shy of a shortstop. That is, perhaps, why it is an underrepresented position in the Hall of Fame. The Yankees were able to fill this spot recently by resigning Chase Headley to a four-year contract worth $52 million. He reportedly took less money to return to New York which would be cool but could just have been posturing. In any case, this contract is great value for the Yankees.

Dave Cameron set up a list of 5 players who signed for between $40-60 million for 4 years recently. The cluster includes Curtis Granderson, Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Headley, and Nick Markakis. Then he includes their fWAR 3 years (all 3 years), 2 years (both years), and 1 year (the single season) prior to signing their contracts.

Headley has the highest fWAR (15) for the 3 whole years. He also has the highest fWAR (8) for the 2 years before signing. Finally, he is tied for first in fWAR (4) 1 year prior to the new contract. Headley has been the best player in this group the past 3 seasons. Yet, this new contract ($52 million) pays him likes he’s not as valuable as Granderson ($60 million), Cruz ($58 million), and only about as good as Peralta ($53 million). These players received largest contracts than Headley despite not performing as well in the years leading up to their free agencies.

Of course paying for previous years’ stats is not a good idea. Yet, ZiPS (4.0 WAR) and Steamer (3.9 WAR) both like Headley a lot for 2015. Headley is an above average player making about the same money (slightly less, actually) than recently-signed players that are less valuable than him even though inflation is increasing salaries throughout the game. This is a huge coup for New York.

If you are looking for power at the hot corner then Headley will underwhelm. If you’re just looking for value regardless of the skill-set and what package it comes in, then Headley’s defense and on-base ability clearly make him an above average player. This contract is very valuable and likely a better move than signing Pablo Sandoval at 5/95 plus option.

Chase Headley makes the Yankees better at a very fair cost.