MLB’s Most Disappointing Free Agent Signings This Year

By Oliver Wiener June 29, 2025 14:19

The 2025 MLB offseason was marked by high-profile free agent signings, with teams investing heavily to bolster their rosters. While many acquisitions have paid dividends, several signings have fallen far short of expectations, leaving teams and fans frustrated. Here’s a look at some of the most disappointing free agent signings so far this year, backed by stats and expert analysis.

Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants — 7 years, $182 million

Willy Adames tops the list of underwhelming signings in 2025. Despite a massive seven-year, $182 million contract, Adames has struggled to justify the investment. Offensively, he’s hitting just .216/.298/.352 with 5 home runs and 24 RBIs, posting a 0.0 bWAR through the first two months of the season. His OPS+ of 87 is the worst of his career, and his performance on the road (.585 OPS) is notably worse than at home (.712 OPS). Defensively, Adames has also been a liability, with negative fielding runs and outs above average, a stark contrast to his strong defensive metrics in previous seasons. Giants fans had hoped for a cornerstone shortstop, but so far, the signing looks like a costly misstep.

Juan Soto, New York Mets — 15 years, $765 million

The Mets’ blockbuster signing of Juan Soto has not yet yielded the expected results. After 22 games, Soto is batting a disappointing .250 with only three home runs, far below the production anticipated for one of baseball’s premier hitters. While there is still a long season ahead, the slow start has raised eyebrows, especially given the massive financial commitment. Analysts caution patience, noting Soto’s talent and track record, but the pressure to perform is immense given the contract’s magnitude.

Christian Walker, Houston Astros — 3 years, $60 million

Christian Walker’s signing by the Astros was intended to fill the offensive void left by Kyle Tucker’s departure. However, Walker has struggled mightily, batting just .210/.283/.358 with five home runs and an 85 OPS+. Once a Gold Glove winner and consistent power threat with the Diamondbacks, Walker’s performance this year has been underwhelming, leaving the Astros searching for answers at first base. His age (34) and slow start have compounded concerns about the signing’s long-term value.

Taijuan Walker, Philadelphia Phillies — 4 years, $72 million

Taijuan Walker’s tenure with the Phillies has been marked by inconsistency and injury. After a respectable 4.38 ERA in 2023, Walker’s 2024 season saw a sharp decline, with a 7.10 ERA over 19 starts. He was removed from the starting rotation late last season and has yet to regain form in 2025. Given the sizable contract, Walker’s underperformance has been a major disappointment for a Phillies team that expected him to anchor their rotation.

Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies — 7 years, $182 million

Kris Bryant’s contract with the Rockies continues to be a sore spot for the franchise and fans alike. Once an MVP-caliber player, Bryant’s production has steadily declined, with injuries limiting him to fewer than 80 games in any season since signing. His OPS has dropped significantly, and his overall WAR during his time in Colorado is negative. The massive contract, signed in 2022, is widely regarded as one of the worst in recent MLB history, burdening the Rockies’ payroll with little on-field return.

Jurickson Profar, Atlanta Braves — 3 years, $42 million

Jurickson Profar’s signing was expected to bolster the Braves’ lineup, especially with Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined. However, after just four games, Profar was suspended 80 games for testing positive for PEDs, sidelining him for the majority of the season and making him ineligible for postseason play. This suspension has severely limited his impact and made the signing a major disappointment for Atlanta.

Summary

While free agency is always a gamble, these signings illustrate the risks teams take when investing large sums in players. Injuries, underperformance, and off-field issues have turned several high-profile contracts into burdens rather than assets. As the 2025 season progresses, teams hope these players can rebound, but so far, these signings rank among the most disappointing of the year.