These marquee free agents re-signed with their previous teams

While free agency provides players with the chance to explore new opportunities around the league, sometimes the best choice is the familiar one.

Over the years, many marquee free agents have chosen to re-sign with their previous teams after testing their value on the open market.

With the help of Cot’s Baseball Contracts, which has compiled data on every free-agent signing for each MLB team going back to 1991, here are some of the most notable examples. (Years listed in parentheses show the first season of each contract.)

Aaron Nola, Phillies
Seven-year, $172 million deal (2024)

Nola was the first big free-agent signing of the 2023-24 offseason as the Phillies handed him the most lucrative contract for a pitcher in franchise history. His first nine seasons in Philadelphia featured three years in which Nola earned NL Cy Young votes, a 3.72 ERA and 90 victories over 235 starts. If Nola plays out the entirety of his seven-year contract in Philly, that would give him 16 seasons in a Phillies uniform -- the most by any pitcher and tied for the second most by any player, trailing only the immortal Mike Schmidt.

Aaron Judge, Yankees
Nine-year, $360 million deal (2023)

Judge turned down the Yankees’ offer for a contract extension prior to the 2022 season, and his decision to bet on himself paid off in a big way. Rivaling the greatest free-agent walk years in baseball history, Judge broke Roger Maris’ single-season AL home run record and won league MVP honors after finishing with 62 homers, 131 RBIs, 133 runs, 111 walks and a 1.111 OPS. Despite an all-out push by Judge’s hometown Giants that briefly seemed like it might end with the slugger joining the Bay Area club, the Yankees came up with an offer that kept the homegrown superstar in pinstripes: a free-agent record $360 million over nine years. New York capped off the deal by naming Judge the 16th captain in Yankees history.

Edwin Díaz and Brandon Nimmo, Mets
Díaz: Five-year, $102 million deal (2023)
Nimmo: Eight-year, $162 million deal (2023)

While ace righty Jacob deGrom departed to sign a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers after the 2022 season, the Mets were able to retain two of their other top free agents in Díaz and Nimmo. Díaz set a reliever record with his $102 million contract, which he signed shortly after free agency began. The right-hander was coming off an exceptional campaign in which he posted a 1.31 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP with 118 strikeouts over 62 innings. The following month, the Mets inked Nimmo, their starting center fielder and leadoff hitter, to an eight-year deal, bringing back a player who had proven his value with a career-high 5.1 WAR (per Baseball-Reference) in 2022.

Carlos Correa, Twins
Six-year, $200 million deal (2023)

Following a successful seven-year tenure with the Astros, who selected him first overall in the 2012 MLB Draft, Correa had a chance to try his hand at free agency for the first time in 2021. However, the market did not play out as many expected it would for the shortstop, who ended up signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins in late March that included an opt-out after Year 1. Correa exercised his opt-out clause, but after reported deals with the Giants and Mets fell through due to concerns raised during his physical, he returned to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million deal.

J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
Five-year, $115.5 million deal (2021)

Weeks before signing Bryce Harper to a historic 13-year, $330 million contract, the Phillies shored up their catching spot by swinging a trade with the Marlins for Realmuto, one of the best all-around backstops in the game. Realmuto had a chance to leave as a free agent after two seasons with Philadelphia, but he chose to stick around on a five-year contract, joining Harper on the long list of free-agent acquisitions who ultimately helped Philadelphia end a 10-season playoff drought and secure a spot in the 2022 World Series.

Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
Seven-year, $245 million deal (2020)

Strasburg’s outstanding 2019 season couldn’t have come at a better time. With the ability to opt out at the end of the campaign, the right-hander crossed the 30-start threshold for the first time in five years and finished with a 3.32 ERA and 251 K’s over 209 innings. He further bolstered his stock with a postseason performance for the ages (5-0, 1.98 ERA), culminating with an MVP-winning performance in the World Series as the Nats claimed their first championship. Strasburg opted out in November before returning to Washington on a $245 million pact. However, he has made just eight total appearances since he signed the deal and is not expected to pitch again due to injury complications stemming from thoracic outlet syndrome.

Yoenis Céspedes, Mets
Four-year, $110 million deal (2017)

The Mets effectively acquired Céspedes three times in a span of 16 months, initially picking him up in a July 2015 trade with the Tigers that led to a division title and an NL pennant. The club then re-signed him to a three-year, $75 million deal, with the ability to opt out after Year 1, in January 2016. Céspedes exercised his opt-out after producing 31 homers, 86 RBIs and an .884 OPS in 2016, only to re-sign with the Mets again for $110 million over four years that November. The slugger was hampered by a variety of injuries during the latter deal -- including multiple ankle fractures suffered during a reported run-in with a wild boar on his ranch in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in 2019 -- and ended up playing just 127 games combined across that four-year span before his big league career came to an unceremonious end.

Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner, Dodgers
Jansen: Five-year, $80 million deal (2017)
Turner: Four-year, $64 million deal (2017)

The Dodgers signed Jansen as a catcher out of his native Cura?ao in 2004, moved him to the mound early in his professional career and eventually watched him blossom into one of the best closers in MLB history. The right-hander was especially dominant in his final year before free agency in 2016, recording a 1.83 ERA, a 1.44 FIP, a 0.67 WHIP and a 104-to-11 K/BB ratio while collecting 47 saves for Los Angeles. He was handsomely rewarded after reaching the open market, inking one of the largest deals ever signed by a relief pitcher to remain in a Dodgers uniform. The Dodgers were also able to retain Turner, a former utility player who developed into a lineup staple for Los Angeles at third base. Jansen and Turner played pivotal roles as the Dodgers made the World Series in three of the next four years and won it all in 2020.

Chris Davis, Orioles
Seven-year, $161 million deal (2016)

Davis' performance in the three years leading up to his free agency in 2015 showcased the highs and lows of his game. On a positive note, he led the Majors in homers twice, with 53 dingers in 2013 and 47 in 2015. However, on the flip side, he hit just .196 with 26 homers and a .704 OPS in 2016, and his persistent strikeout problems presented a major cause for concern. After remaining on the free-agent market until late January, Davis signed the richest contract in O’s history to stay with Baltimore. He struggled mightily thereafter, posting a .196 average with 92 homers and a .670 OPS over 534 games before retiring in 2021.

Matt Holliday, Cardinals
Seven-year, $120 million deal (2010)

Holliday is one of the greatest players in Rockies history, but his time in Denver was cut short when Colorado traded him to the A’s prior to his final arbitration year in 2009. Wearing an A’s uniform for less than a season, Holliday was dealt to the Cardinals at the Trade Deadline after Oakland fell out of playoff contention. Holliday had a big second half for the Cards, helping the club clinch the NL Central crown in the process, then inked the richest free-agent deal in franchise history. The contract was a big success for St. Louis -- Holliday hit .288 with 143 homers, 561 RBIs and an .863 OPS over the life of the deal, and the Cardinals made five postseason appearances, claimed two NL pennants and won the 2011 World Series championship in that span.

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
10-year, $275 million deal (2008)

A-Rod made history the first time he reached free agency, signing a then-record 10-year, $252 million deal with the Rangers that gave him the ability to opt out after Year 7. Following a 2004 trade to the Yankees and MVP seasons in both 2005 and 2007, Rodriguez chose to exercise his opt-out, with news of his decision famously breaking during Game 4 of the 2007 World Series. The move seemed to spell the end of A-Rod’s tenure in the Bronx, but the superstar third baseman ended up returning to the club on another record-setting deal -- 10 years, $275 million. Rodriguez would go on to lead the Yankees’ to their 27th World Series title in 2009, but the latter years of his contract were marred by injuries and controversy, as he missed most of 2013 after undergoing left hip surgery and sat out all of 2014 while serving a suspension for his ties to performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez retired after playing his final game on Aug. 12, 2016.

Paul Konerko, White Sox
Five-year, $60 million deal (2006)

After short stints with the Dodgers and Reds, Konerko found a home with the White Sox, emerging as a cornerstone for the team and earning six All-Star selections. Following the conclusion of the 2005 season, during which he achieved his second straight 40-homer campaign and helped the South Siders secure their first World Series title since 1917, Konerko entered free agency. However, he opted to stay loyal to the White Sox, re-signing and remaining with the team for the rest of his career. Konerko ranks second in White Sox history behind Hall of Famer Frank Thomas in home runs (432) and RBIs (1,383) and is the franchise leader in total bases (4,010).

Barry Bonds, Giants
Four-year, $90 million deal (2002)

Bonds initially joined the Giants after his 1992 NL MVP Award-winning season with the Pirates, leaving Pittsburgh to sign a then-record six-year, $43.75 million contract with San Francisco. He took his game to another stratosphere in the Bay Area, solidifying himself as one of the greatest free-agent additions in baseball history. After signing an extension that tacked two years onto his original deal, Bonds was due to hit free agency again after the 2001 campaign. He proceeded to put up a single-season-record 73 homers with 177 walks, 137 RBIs and a 1.379 OPS to earn NL MVP honors for the fourth time, then re-signed with San Francisco as a free agent and won three more NL MVPs from 2002-04. Bonds was also unstoppable during the 2002 playoffs, propelling the Giants' run to the World Series with eight homers, 16 RBIs and a 1.559 OPS in 17 playoff games.

Bernie Williams, Yankees
Seven-year, $87.5 million deal (1999)

Although Williams spent his entire career with the Yankees, arriving during a particularly rough period in New York’s history and helping to usher in a new era of winning in the Bronx, there was a pivotal moment when it looked as though he might leave to join the archrival Red Sox. The center fielder considered free-agent overtures from Boston after the 1998 season, but the Yanks swooped in with an offer that kept him in pinstripes. With Williams staying in the fold, the Yankees won the World Series in 1999 and 2000, giving the club four titles in five years.

John Smoltz, Braves
Four-year, $31 million deal (1997)

Smoltz reached free agency at his absolute apex, having registered 24 wins, a 2.94 ERA and 276 strikeouts in a brilliant 1996 season for Atlanta. Shortly after being named the NL Cy Young Award winner, Smoltz inked a four-year deal to remain with the Braves. The contract set a record at the time for the richest deal ever signed by a pitcher and ensured the continuity of Atlanta’s formidable ace trio consisting of Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.

Craig Biggio, Astros
Four-year, $20 million deal (1996)

Fresh off a 1995 season in which he slashed .302/.406/.483 with 22 homers, 33 steals and 123 runs scored as a 29-year-old, Biggio had a chance to leave the Astros as a free agent. However, Houston was able to re-sign the All-Star second baseman to a four-year deal, and the rest is history. Biggio remained with the club for his entire 20-year career, becoming a franchise icon alongside teammate Jeff Bagwell, and ended up in Cooperstown.

David Cone, Yankees
Three-year, $19.5 million deal (1996)

Cone bounced around frequently in his 20s, being traded from the Royals to the Mets and then to the Blue Jays before rejoining Kansas City as a free agent following the 1992 season. After winning the 1994 AL Cy Young Award, Cone would be traded twice more in 1995 -- first to the Blue Jays and then to the Yankees. The right-hander found some stability with the Bronx Bombers, however, re-signing with New York as a free agent after the 1995 season and remaining with the club through 2000. During his time in pinstripes, Cone won four World Series titles and threw a perfect game in 1999.

Fred McGriff, Braves
Four-year, $20 million deal (1996)

The Braves’ move to acquire McGriff from the Padres prior to the 1993 Trade Deadline paid off two years later when the slugging first baseman helped the club win the World Series. McGriff hit .333 with four homers, nine RBIs and a 1.065 OPS over 14 games during the 1995 postseason, after which he reached free agency. McGriff, who hit the open market with a lifetime .285/.386/.535 slash and seven 30-homer seasons on his resume, inked a four-year contract to remain with the Braves. He posted a .295 average with 28 homers and 107 RBIs in the first year of the deal, but after his production slipped in 1997, the Braves traded him to the expansion Devil Rays for cash considerations.

Mark McGwire, A’s
Five-year, $28 million deal (1993)

McGwire established himself as one of the game’s premier power hitters in the early years of his career, crushing a then-rookie-record 49 homers in 1987 and topping the 30-homer mark again in each of the next three seasons. After dropping to 22 home runs in 1991, McGwire rebounded in his final year before free agency, tallying 42 homers, 104 RBIs and a .970 OPS. The first baseman then returned to Oakland on a five-year deal. However, he wouldn’t finish out the contract with the club, as the A’s shipped him to the Cardinals at the 1997 Trade Deadline. After signing an extension with St. Louis that September, McGwire went on to break Roger Maris’ single-season home run record with 70 dingers in 1998.

Kirby Puckett, Twins
Five-year, $30 million deal (1993)

A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Puckett spent his entire career with the Twins, earning 10 All-Star selections and winning two World Series in 12 years. The outfielder had a chance to test the open market after a stellar platform season that saw him finish second in the AL MVP race behind A’s reliever Dennis Eckersley, but he ultimately returned to Minnesota on a five-year deal. He played three more seasons and continued to perform at a high level before an eye condition forced him to retire.