MLB's All-Worst Contract Team, Position by Position

Even with all the advanced statistics, it’s still sometimes difficult to truly project how a player will perform in the future. Teams often roll the dice with young and veteran players alike, signing them to lengthy extensions and free-agent contracts in the hope that their past performances will continue.

But while some contracts do work out for the better, many do not. Whether caused by freak injury or puzzling ineffectiveness, teams are often left with players performing at a fraction of their big salaries.

In the case of Albert Pujols, for instance, the Los Angeles Angels are on the hook for another eight seasons of the declining hitter. If a 33-year-old Pujols can’t pass the muster, it’s unlikely the 41-year-old version (the last year of his contract) will either.

Below are the worst contracts in baseball, position by position.

All statistics (through August 4) sourced from Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.com.

Catcher: Kurt Suzuki

Unlike Nick Hundley and John Buck, who at least own right-handed pitching and possess home run power, respectively, Kurt Suzuki provides the Washington Nationals with few skills. 

As a member of the Nationals, Suzuki has posted a pathetic .237 batting average, park-adjusted 75 OPS+ and just a 6.6 percent walk rate over 423 plate appearances.

The 29-year-old is in the final season of a three-year, $16.25 million contract he signed in 2011 with the Oakland Athletics. With Wilson Ramos healthy again, the Nats will happily exercise Suzuki’s $650,000 buyout at the end of the season.

First Base: Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols has some stiff competition in Ryan Howard, but at least for the Philadelphia Phillies’ sake, Howard will only be around for three more years.

The Los Angeles Angels signed Pujols to a 10-year, $240 million contract in 2011, meaning the first baseman has another eight years left with the team. Considering the 33-year-old posted a career-worst park-adjusted 116 OPS+ (versus career 168 OPS+) in 2013, the Angels might regret the contract.

It’s also worth noting that Pujols’ contract is back loaded, so the veteran will earn an average of $26.5 million through 2021 (and age 41).

Second Base: Dan Uggla

When the Atlanta Braves acquired Dan Uggla before the 2011 season, the second baseman had just posted a park-adjusted 131 OPS+ with 33 home runs for the Florida Marlins. For a middle infielder, that’s about as elite as it gets. 

The Braves quickly extended Uggla to a five-year, $62 million contact. Since becoming a Brave, however, the slugging infielder has been a shell of his former self.

YEARS	BA	OPS+	K%
2006-10	.264	117	22.5
2011-13	.219	100	26.6

The 33-year-old has two years remaining on his original contract and will be owed $26 million through age 35. Uggla can still pop a lot of home runs, but with declining contact and patience skills—in addition to a poor glove (career -4.2 UZR/150)—the second baseman is not worth his salary.

Shortstop: Elvis Andrus

The Texas Rangers handed shortstop Elvis Andrus a pretty lengthy extension in 2013, adding eight years, $120 million on top of his existing three-year, $14.4 million deal. Perhaps the move was premature, as the light-hitting shortstop has endured a miserable 2013 season.

Andrus has posted a .253 batting average, park-adjusted 67 OPS+ and zero home runs in 2013 so far. The 24-year-old’s saving grace is his stellar defense (4.8 UZR/150 this season) and speed (25 stolen bases), but hardly warrants paying him $15 million per season (starting in 2015).

The presence of Jurickson Profar is only a reminder of what could have been too.

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez

When it comes to the worst contracts in baseball, Alex Rodriguez is pretty hard to top. The New York Yankees re-signed their third baseman mid-contract to an instantly regrettable 10-year, $275 million deal.

Since 2008, Rodriguez has only eclipsed 500 plate appearances twice. To-date, the 37-year-old has just joined the Yankees after missing most of 2013 with a degenerative hip injury.

Health issues aside, A-Rod has also become the face of steroids in modern-day baseball. Considered the ring leader in the Biogenesis scandal, Rodriguez faces a suspension through the 2014 season.

Assuming the former slugger’s suspension appeal is denied, the Yankees will still be on the hook for $61 million from 2015 through 2017.

Left Field: Carl Crawford

Fans and critics alike were shocked in August 2012 when the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to take on Carl Crawford and his remaining $102.5 million. After posting a mere park-adjusted 89 OPS+ between 2011 and 2012, the Boston Red Sox were thrilled to rid themselves of the left fielder. 

Crawford has been better in 2013, posting a 108 OPS+, but the outfielder no longer possesses the blazing speed and steady defense he once boasted. As his 0.9 bWAR suggests, the 31-year-old is a fringe starter. 

At an average of $20.62 million per year through 2017, the Dodgers own one of the worst outfield contracts in baseball.

Center Field: Matt Kemp

The San Francisco Giants certainly overpaid for Angel Pagan when they signed him to a four-year, $45 million contract, but Pagan’s deal was not nearly as financially crippling as Matt Kemp’s. Kemp signed an eight-year, $160 million extension in 2011, paying him an average of $20 million per season.

At the time, the outfielder’s extension seemed just. Kemp was coming off of a MVP caliber season, leading the league in runs (115), home runs (39), RBI (126) and park-adjusted OPS+ (172). He also [undeservingly] won the Gold Glove Award too.

But since then, Kemp has spent significant time on the disabled list. The 28-year-old only garnered 449 plate appearances in 2012 and just 228 so far this season. And when Kemp has played, he hasn’t been particularly productive. The outfielder has posted a park-adjusted 98 OPS+ and five home runs in 2013.

With six years remaining on his contract, the Dodgers are hoping Kemp can find some health and actually earn his big salary.

Right Field: Josh Hamilton

The Los Angeles Angels craved a power-hitting outfielder this past offseason, so they signed Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract. After hitting 43 home runs with a park-adjusted 141 OPS+ in 2012, Hamilton certainly fit the bill. 

In 2013, however, the 32-year-old has emerged as an albatross. Hamilton has posted a .224 batting average with just 16 home runs over 434 plate appearances. In fact, the left-handed hitter’s park-adjusted 94 OPS+ is his worst rate since his injury plagued 2009 season.

Considering Hamilton will earn another $110 million over the next four seasons—coupled with a no-trade clause—the Angels will be stuck with the former slugger for quite a while.

Designated Hitter: Adam Dunn

When the Chicago White Sox signed Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million contract in 2010, they knew Dunn was an all or nothing type of hitter. But even for a high strikeout / big home run hitter, Dunn has been a major disappointment for the White Sox. 

YEARS	BA	OPS+	K%	HR/9
2001-10	.250	133	26.9	0.64
2011-13	.196	95	33.3	0.53

The 33-year-old has improved since his dismal 2011 season (11 home runs, park-adjusted 54 OPS+ and .159 batting average), but has still yet to produce like his former self.

Dunn is set to earn $15 million in the final season of his contract in 2014, but considering he’s only garnered -1.5 bWAR from 2011 to 2013, the White Sox must be pretty excited about his soon-to-be-expiring contract.

Starting Pitcher: Ricky Romero

A case could be made for Johan Santana, Barry Zito or Tim Lincecum, but the Toronto Blue Jays’ Ricky Romero is king of the worst starting pitcher contract.

When the Blue Jays signed Romero to a five-year, $30.05 million extension before the 2011 season, the move was seen as a prudent one. The left-hander had posted a combined 3.99 ERA (versus park-adjusted 108 ERA+), 1.39 WHIP and 1.96 K/BB between 2009 and 2010.

In 2011, Romero even appeared to be en route to elite status, pitching to the tune of a 2.92 ERA (versus 146 ERA+), 1.13 WHIP and 2.23 K/BB. The southpaw was elected to his first All-Star Game and placed 10th in the Cy Young Award ballot.

But then in 2012, Romero began experiencing extreme control issues. In 181 innings, the pitcher led the league with 105 walks. His 5.77 ERA (versus 74 ERA+) wasn’t productive either.

Romero has spent all but 4.1 innings in the minor leagues this season. The 28-year-old isn’t dominating hitters at Triple-A, however, sporting a 5.67 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 1.08 K/BB.

The Blue Jays are currently paying Romero $7.5 million to pitch in the minors and owe him another $15.6 million through 2015 (including a buyout for 2016).

Relief Pitcher: Heath Bell

Heath Bell was one of the big acquisitions made by the short-lived, big-spending 2012 Miami Marlins. The Marlins inked Bell to a three-year, $27 million contract, despite witnessing his lowest career strikeout per nine (7.3) the year before. 

After posting a 5.09 ERA (versus park-adjusted 80 ERA+) in 2012, the team promptly removed the veteran from his closer duties, making him an expensive middle reliever.

When 2013 rolled around and the Marlins decided to part ways with all of their high-salaried players, Bell was no exception. The 35-year-old landed with the Arizona Diamondbacks (with $8 million) in a three-way trade. 

Due to the injury of J.J. Putz, Bell was thrust back into the closer role. But the reunion tour didn't last long. Bell was again relieved of the duties after posting a 8.38 ERA from June 10 to July 10.

On the whole, Heath Bell has been solid for the Diamondbacks (3.63 ERA, 106 ERA+ and 4.64 K/BB), but considering he earns $9 million this year and next, it’s hard to defend his contract.