The Current 10 Worst Contracts in MLB

[RyGuy45]

Joe Posnanski from SI.com posted this up this week....

OK, here you go — my list of the 10 worst contracts in baseball at the moment (and what’s left on those deals):

1. Vernon Wells, three years, $63 million
I love that in order to get their hands on this death-defying contract, the Angels traded away Mike Napoli, who ended up getting traded back into their division, where he might have been the most valuable player on the division-winning Texas Rangers. There is just layer upon layer of madness here.

To be fair: Wells has shown the ability to lift his game during even-year seasons, and he does have two of those left on this deal. But let’s not kid anybody. Wells, 32, had a .248 on-base percentage in 2011. That’s two four eight. The last qualifying outfielder to have an OBP that low? I’m sure you already know: George Barclay. Yeah. Oh, wait, you didn’t know that? Right, that was in 1904. Wells’ was the lowest on-base percentage for an outfielder in more than 100 years. Wells, from what I’ve heard, is a good guy, and people love having him around the clubhouse, and he’s had some superb years. But this is the worst current contract in baseball, and perhaps the worst ever (it was originally a seven-year, $126 million deal).

2. A-Rod, six years, $153 million
I could be wrong, certainly. He looked good enough in spring training this year that some people were actually predicting an MVP-type season from the guy. But I’ve thought for a couple of years, and think even more now, that it looks all downhill from here. I’ve been on record for a while now as saying that A-Rod will not set the all-time home run record (he needs 134 more).

3. Carl Crawford, six years, $128 million
Crawford (.255/.289/.405 in his Boston debut) could rebound. You might even say that he SHOULD rebound. But at the moment, because of the big number tagged to it, this contract surpasses the Zito debacle, the Soriano debacle, the Lackey debacle, even the Dunn debacle. There was something about this deal that bugged me from the start. Oh, don’t misunderstand, I thought Crawford would be a dynamic player for the Red Sox — heck, I named the guy the 26th-best player in baseball in my preseason rankings.

No, what bothered me was that Crawford has always been more EXCITING than GOOD. This is a sports theme I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. Ask yourself this: Which statement is truer?

1. Michael Vick is a great quarterback.
2. Michael Vick is an exciting quarterback.

Both statements might be true. But I would think that the second statement rings truer. I’ve taken some heat from Justin Verlander fans, and I think this point applies to him, too. I think Verlander is a great pitcher. And I think Verlander is an exciting pitcher — all those strikeouts, the 100-mph fastballs in the late innings, the amazing breaking balls, are you kidding? Thrilling. And I think the thrilling part of the equation sometimes puffs up the great part.

Carl Crawford has always been a thrilling player. He hits triples. He steals bases. But we’re talking about a left fielder with a lifetime .333 on-base percentage and a lifetime .441 slugging percentage. I remember when I was going out to buy my first car, they showed me all the extras you could get on a Ford Escort. Sunroof. Leather seats. Automatic locks and windows*. And even then it struck me: No matter how you dress up this car, it’s still a Ford Escort. I don’t think Crawford is a Ford Escort. But his lifetime on-base and slugging percentage match up frighteningly close to those of Aaron Rowand and Eric Hinske. So you could argue that he’s Aaron Rowand with a sunroof.

*Yeah, there weren’t as many cool gadgets for cars then; automatic locks and windows felt futuristic.

4. Ryan Howard, five years, $125 million
If he can get healthy, and if the Phillies keep him in the middle of the lineup, he will keep driving in 100 runs. And maybe that will postpone the inevitable realization that Ryan Howard is becoming a less and less useful player all the time.

5. Barry Zito, two years, $46 million
The Giants are paying down this contract, which was originally for seven years and $126 million — they’re still upside-down on the deal, but there will come a time when they pay it off. It’s amazing to think that time is still two or three years from now (Zito has an option year in 2014).

People often say — I often say — that Scott Boras does a great job for his clients. And it’s undeniably true. But by “great job

 

[finnns2003]

I don't get how Zito declined so fast. Yeah he doesn't throw fast, neither did Jamie Moyer. Dude went from Cy Young in his SECOND full season to now being left off playoff rosters. WTH?

 

[red is on nt]

The grief that Zito has brought to the Giants.

...But I'm still a fan of his.

 

[DeadsetAce]

nice...two red sox on the list

 

[hawkflight6]

It still amazes me that the Blue Jays were able to trade away Vernon Wells

 

[madj55]

I hate Jayson Werth

 

[proshares]

Ryan Howard should be #1 or #2 behind A-Roid. Wells "only" has 3 years left. IDK if it's expired but Gary Matthews JR robbed Anaheim. Don't think Tex should be there but can't argue with it. Hanley will be on that list next year

 

[doublejs07]

 

[akajae]

Originally Posted by hawkflight6

It still amazes me that the Blue Jays were able to trade away Vernon Wells

 

[dland24]

Originally Posted by finnns2003

I don't get how Zito declined so fast. Yeah he doesn't throw fast, neither did Jamie Moyer. Dude went from Cy Young in his SECOND full season to now being left off playoff rosters. WTH?

If Barry Zito's Cy Young season happened now, with the way the voters have smartened up, he would NOT have won it.

Not sure what that has to do with anything, but had to put that out there.  He sucks.

  

 

[harlemtothebronx]

@ A-Rod's deal.

 

[winged wheel]

If a list gets created next season you can bet Albert Pujols will be number 1.

 

[bean pie slanga]

Wow, Lackey. The thought of that ugly hog getting all that money (to spend on chicken and beer) makes my Aztec blood boil. At least those other players were the bomb at one point.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Originally Posted by Winged Wheel

If a list gets created next season you can bet Albert Pujols will be number 1.

You mean he wont be worth that 20 year $800 million contract?

 

[do work son]

i give you, Carlos Lee: Left Fielder and thief of millions of the Houston Astros

 

[cosmiccanon]

Surprised that Bay isn't on the list.

 

[jpzx]

Actually thought I was going to see Joe Mauer on the list, but nope. He has a lot of value because of the position he plays, but still.

2009: Mauer (28 HRs, .365 BA)

*Proceeds to get 8 year, 134 million dollar contract*

2010: Mauer (8 HRs, .327 BA)
2011: Mauer (3 HRs, .287 BA)

 

[adobecs4]

Barry Zito is trolling

 

[airmaxpenny1]

Originally Posted by Proshares

Ryan Howard should be #1 or #2 behind A-Roid. Wells "only" has 3 years left. IDK if it's expired but Gary Matthews JR robbed Anaheim. Don't think Tex should be there but can't argue with it. Hanley will be on that list next year

Tex and Howard are basically the same guy, Tex is prolly better cause he's a better fielder but you stay acting like there is a large gap between those two and there aren't. That Philly lineup was putrid this year, Howard had no protection wich you can't say bout Tex.

 

[dland24]

Originally Posted by JPZx

Actually thought I was going to see Joe Mauer on the list, but nope. He has a lot of value because of the position he plays, but still.

2009: Mauer (28 HRs, .365 BA)

*Proceeds to get 8 year, 134 million dollar contract*

2010: Mauer (8 HRs, .327 BA)
2011: Mauer (3 HRs, .287 BA)

I've been saying this.  One of if not THE most overpaid players in all of sports.

 

[jpzx]

Yep. Even being a fan of the team he plays for I can say that.

You know what will make his value plummet even further? If he switches to 1B or 3B like some are speculating. Traditionally, you have power players at those positions. How does it sound to have a 8 year, 134 million dollar guy at 1B that hits 3 HRs and boasts a .287 BA (like 2011, even though it'll go up)?

 

[dland24]

Originally Posted by JPZx

Yep. Even being a fan of the team he plays for I can say that.

You know what will make his value plummet even further? If he switches to 1B or 3B like some are speculating. Traditionally, you have power players at those positions. How does it sound to have a 8 year, 134 million dollar guy at 1B that hits 3 HRs and boasts a .287 BA (like 2011, even though it'll go up)?

Agreed.  One of the hot topics of 2011 here in the Bay is moving Buster Posey to first base....which I am vehemently against.  Moving Posey and Mauer to first base would cripple their respective values.  

 

[d3si]

Originally Posted by CosmicCanon

Surprised that Bay isn't on the list.

 Same here. I expected to see him on the list. 

 

[statis22]

Originally Posted by do work son

i give you, Carlos Lee: Left Fielder and thief of millions of the Houston Astros

Tim Purpura was definitely not that dude.

 

[cosmiccanon]

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by JPZx

Yep. Even being a fan of the team he plays for I can say that.

You know what will make his value plummet even further? If he switches to 1B or 3B like some are speculating. Traditionally, you have power players at those positions. How does it sound to have a 8 year, 134 million dollar guy at 1B that hits 3 HRs and boasts a .287 BA (like 2011, even though it'll go up)?

Agreed.  One of the hot topics of 2011 here in the Bay is moving Buster Posey to first base....which I am vehemently against.  Moving Posey and Mauer to first base would cripple their respective values.  

But Posey is your best hitter though.
Given your terrible line-up, you should protect him from being injured again. It's one thing, if you have legitimate hitters around him(sans Belt and Sandoval), but you don't and it's best to protect your best slugger.

Sure Mauer is at best a 13-17 homer guy in that HR deathtrap in Target, but he's too valuable, to be in harm's way like Posey.