Date signed: January 2001
Length: four years (2001-04)
Cost at time: $22 million
Adjusted 2022 cost: $51.06 million
Production: 1.5 bWAR
Negative value: $39.06 million
How the player got there
Matt Mantei came to the D-backs as the result of a trade with the Marlins in July 1999. Arizona sent Vladimir Núñez, Brad Penny and a player to be named later (Abraham Nunez - no relation) to Florida, and got the closer they needed in exchange. The D-backs had gone into the season with Gregg Olson in the role, but he blew his first three chances. Brian Anderson ended up being the first Arizona pitcher that year to notch a save, and the front-office went on the hunt. Mantei was solid after his arrival,…
