10 Worst Contracts In MLB Right Now

By Jason Fletcher

More than any other sport, the free agent contracts in MLB are getting out of control, especially for pitchers. Starting pitchers are now getting seven or eight-year contracts for $200 million or more despite only pitching once every five days. It’s a shame that Ubaldo Jimenez will make the same this season as the MLB’s current leader in batting average, Daniel Murphy. Here are the 10 worst contracts in MLB right now.

10 Worst Contracts In MLB Right Now

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SP Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals — The Royals gave Kennedy a five-year, $70 million deal this offseason despite the fact he's only had one season since 2011 where his ERA was under 4.00 and his WHIP was under 1.30. Although Kennedy's looked good in his first couple starts this season, the contract is terrible based off of previous performance.

SS Jose Reyes, Colorado Rockies — Reyes is in the fifth year of a six-year, $106 million contract and he's currently suspended. Even if MLB allows him to return this season, it likely won't be with the Rockies as Trevor Story has taken the starting shortstop job and run with it.

OF Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers — For some unbeknownst reason, the Los Angeles Angels gave Hamilton a five-year, $125 million contract in 2013. He's since relapsed on drugs and alcohol and has been traded to the Rangers where he's battled injuries the past two years.

SP Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers — Verlander signed a seven-year, $180 million extension in 2013 and he's gone on to struggle since. His velocity has come down a couple ticks and it's led to lower strikeout numbers which is what Verlander relied on early in his career.

1B Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins — Mauer signed an eight-year, $184 million extension in 2011 to remain with the Twins. His average and OBP have remained solid, except for 2015, but he hasn't provided any power or been the run-producer the Twins expected when they offered him the contract.

1B Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies — Former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. re-signed Howard to a five-year, $125 million extension in 2012 despite Howard already being 31 years old. He's now 36 and has only played more than 129 games in a season once in those five years, posting an average above .229 just once as well.

OF Matt Kemp, San Diego Padres — Kemp signed an eight-year, $160 million contract in 2012 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and while the Dodgers footed part of the bill in the trade to the Padres last offseason, his performance hasn't come close to the value of the contract. General manager A.J. Preller messed up big time last offseason when he tried to buy a contender, and it's coming back to bite him.

1B Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels — At 31 years old, the Angels inked Pujols to a 10-year, $240 million contract. While the power has remained for the most part, Pujols' average, on-base percentage and range have all declined sharply in recent years, and he still has five more years on the contract after this season.

OF Jayson Werth, Washington Nationals — Werth is in the sixth year of a seven-year, $126 million contract. In those six seasons, Werth has only played more than 129 games twice as he's battled a number of injuries and his production has been on a steep decline. His range in left field is minimal and he's batting .158 with one home run and six RBIs through the first two weeks of the season.

3B Pablo Sandoval, Boston Red Sox — Sandoval is in the second year of a five-year, $95 million contract. He's battled weight problems all of his career, but the Red Sox are suddenly fed up with it and want him to lose weight before playing again. Last season, he hit .245 with a .292 OBP, 10 home runs and 47 RBIs. This is easily the worst contract in baseball.

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