5 Worst Signings of the MLB Offseason

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have proven that MLB franchises will stop at nothing to win a World Series title, but at what point do they go overboard?

We've seen a slew of inflated MLB contracts blow up in general managers' faces, and that could very well be the case with some of the 2013 offseason signings.

While we need to see how these players perform this season, conventional wisdom and history say these deals are too much.

Here are five MLB players who will be overpaid this season.

Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers

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Contract: Three years, $22.5 million (per ESPN)

For a guy who has never saved more than 37 games in his career, Brandon League got himself a pretty hefty deal.

Don't get me wrong, he's a solid pitcher—League owns a 3.60 career ERA and has seen some of his better seasons come in the past three years—but he doesn't have the experience at closer to warrant a deal worth $7.5 million a season.

He was a perfect six-for-six in save situations last season for L.A., which could be the reason for the deal.

But let's not forget what he did for the Seattle Mariners last season before being dealt, blowing six saves and only recording nine.

I'm not saying the acquisition was a mistake, but I think the deal itself was.

Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giants

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Contract: Three years, $20 million (per ESPN)

Last season was the first time second baseman Marco Scutaro posted an average better than .300 in a season, which is likely why the San Francisco Giants rewarded him with a sizable deal.

The 10-year veteran hit .306 with 74 RBI with the Giants and Colorado Rockies last season, but is a career .276 hitter—not to mention the fact that he's 37 years old.

Scutaro provided a nice spark for the World Series-winning Giants last season and was undoubtedly a big factor in San Francisco's championship, but $20 million for an average, aging infielder is a bit too much for my liking.

He was the 2012 NLCS MVP, but I think San Francisco overpaid Scutaro this season.

Heath Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks

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Contract: Three years, $27 million (per ESPN)

The deal that you see above is what Heath Bell inked with the Miami Marlins prior to the 2012 season, but the Arizona Diamondbacks didn't shy away from acquiring the shaky reliever.

According to Rotoworld, the Marlins will only cover $8 million of the remaining $21 million, meaning the D-Backs are on the hook for $13 million.

Essentially, Arizona is overpaying a closer who blew eight saves last season and owned a 5.09 ERA.

Bell allowed more hits than innings pitched last season and has blown at least five saves in four of his eight seasons in the big leagues.

This was not a good signing for the Diamondbacks, no matter how they use Bell.

Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels

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Contract: Five years, $125 million (per ESPN)

Before you run to the comment section and bombard me with hate mail, please understand that I'm one of the biggest Josh Hamilton supporters out there.

That said, I've never been a fan of these enormous contracts, especially the way Hamilton closed out his season with the Texas Rangers.

The former AL MVP and five-time All-Star is a career .304 hitter and had one of the best stretches in an MLB season in 2012, but as we've seen with big contracts (see Alex Rodriguez), they don't always work.

While A-Rod's massive deal isn't on the same level as Hamilton's, these big contracts always have the potential to be a bust.

I don't think Hamilton will be a bust in L.A., but I also don't know if he's worth $25 million a season.

B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves

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Contract: Five years, $75.25 million (per USA Today)

Let me give it to you straight: B.J. Upton is one of the most overrated players in the MLB.

His career average is a mere .255, he has a poor attitude and he doesn't always give his best effort in the outfield.

The only thing that the 28-year-old has going for him is that he has a rare combination of power and speed, but he strikes out far too much and doesn't always give 100 percent to the game.

Pairing B.J. with his brother Justin could be just what the center fielder needs, but $15 million a season for an inconsistent outfielder is a joke.

 

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