Braves' $28 Million Free Agent Signing Ranked 2nd-Best in MLB History

Greg Maddux's 1993 contract with the Braves is considered one of the best free agent deals ever.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:20pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, red, and yellow, conveying the impact and significance of the Braves' signing of Greg Maddux.An artistic interpretation of the Braves' landmark free agent signing of Greg Maddux, one of the best deals in MLB history.Atlanta Today

According to ESPN's analysis, the Atlanta Braves' $28 million, 5-year free agent signing of pitcher Greg Maddux in 1993 was the second-best free agent deal in MLB history since free agency began 50 years ago. Maddux went on to win three Cy Young awards and post a 163 ERA+ in 11 seasons with the Braves, making the Hall of Fame.

Why it matters

The Braves' signing of Maddux is considered one of the shrewdest free agent moves in MLB history, as the team was able to lock up an all-time great pitcher for just $5.6 million per year at a time when the free agent market was still relatively new.

The details

Maddux's $28 million contract over 5 years was a significant deal at the time, though not as large as Barry Bonds' 6-year, $43.8 million contract that same offseason. However, Maddux went on to vastly outperform his contract, winning 3 Cy Young awards in his first 3 seasons with the Braves and posting a 194-88 record with a 163 ERA+ during his 11 years in Atlanta.

  • Maddux signed with the Braves as a free agent in 1993.
  • He won 3 Cy Young awards in his first 3 seasons with the Braves (1993-1995).

The players

Greg Maddux

A Hall of Fame pitcher who signed a 5-year, $28 million free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves in 1993 and went on to have a dominant 11-year run with the team, winning 3 Cy Young awards.

Barry Bonds

A legendary MLB player who signed a 6-year, $43.8 million free agent contract the same offseason as Maddux, though his deal was larger than Maddux's.

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What they’re saying

“2. Greg Maddux (1,173.6 points). First year: 1993 | Team: Braves. Initial terms: 5 years, $28.0 million | bWAR: 66.1”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Writer

The takeaway

The Braves' signing of Greg Maddux in 1993 is considered one of the best free agent deals in MLB history, as the team was able to lock up an all-time great pitcher for a relatively modest $5.6 million per year and reap the benefits of his dominant performance over the next 11 seasons, including 3 Cy Young awards.