MLB Trade Rumors: Every Team's Least Movable Contract
MLB Trade Rumors Aren’t Dying Down Yet
MLB trade rumors will keep going strong right up until the start of the new season.
Each team—although some have more than others—has at least one contract on their roster that is virtually impossible to unload.
Whether it was an investment that went wrong, picking up a contract from another club, or a player just aging less than gracefully, each of these players are stuck with their current team.
While money and longevity are factors in our selection; recent performances, age, and health are just as vital. And although players recently signed or traded for—say Adrian Beltre—might be making loads of money, the chances of their new team wanting to move them is unlikely.
Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Zobrist, RF/1B
1 of 30
2010 Stats: .238, 10 HR, 75 RBI
Contract: Through 2013 (Club option after), $4.5 million in 2011
The Rays probably aren’t interested in losing any more talent this offseason. But, in case they hope to move money and get younger in return, Zobrist probably isn’t their guy.
His production dipped drastically in 2010 though he had the same number of games and more at-bats but 17 fewer homers and an average down 59 points. Since he’s locked up long-term at roughly five million per season through 2013, he's there to stay.
New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez, 3B
2 of 30
2010 Stats: .270, 30 HR, 125 RBI
Contract: Through 2017, $31 million in 2011
He might be the gleam in Cameron Diaz’s eye, but there can’t be too many teams out there desperate to feed popcorn to A-Rod.
Last year, he had a career-low in batting average and on-base percentage. And since he is locked up forever, no one is going to take on that money.
Rodriguez can, and probably still will, be a big bat in the Yankee lineup, but he’s a good bet to finish his career in New York….unless he is released.
Boston Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP
3 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.69 ERA, 9-6 W-L, 153.2 IP
Contract: Through 2011, $10 million in 2011
J.D. Drew is probably just as hard to move—he’s actually making more money next year.
But, Matsuzaka has a no-trade clause and hasn’t been a reliable starter since 2008.
Even if teams are showing interest, which some reports suggest, unless the Red Sox are willing to take very little in return, it’s probably going to be difficult to pull off a deal.
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Toronto Blue Jays: Octavio Dotel, RP
4 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.08 ERA, 22 saves, 68 appearances
Contract: Through 2012 (club option in 2012), $3.5 million in 2011
The Blue Jays didn’t bring in Dotel just to move him. But if he does become expendable (one of the younger Jays' arms might nab the closer’s role) he isn’t going to be high on many lists.
Dotel is 37 and struggled with all three teams he played for in 2010.
Baltimore Orioles: Brian Roberts, 2B
5 of 30
2010 Stats: .278, 4 HR, 15 RBI
Contract: Through 2013, $10 million in 2011
Roberts has a limited no-trade clause meaning he can block trades to 12 teams this year, but he’s signed at $10 million a year for the next three seasons.
Sure, Roberts numbers dipped last year because of his back and abdominal injuries, but he’s also 33 and the strikeout totals have increased steadily the last few seasons while the average has dropped.
He’s also been reported to have neck issues lately.
Minnesota Twins: Joe Nathan, RP
6 of 30
2010 Stats: DNP, 2.10 ERA, 47 saves, 70 appearances (2009)
Contract: Through 2011 (club option in 2012), $11.25 million in 2011
Nathan certainly could rebound from his Tommy John surgery. He hasn’t had any setbacks and is reportedly on schedule for Opening Day.
But, given his injury and enormous contract this year, what team would want to acquire him this spring without seeing him play a full season?
Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy, SP
7 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.63 ERA, 7-6 W-L, 107 IP
Contract: Through 2012 (club option in 2013) $16 million in 2011
The former Cy Young winner is only 29 and is reportedly ahead of where he planned to be following his shoulder surgery.
But, with two serious injuries in the last two seasons, club’s probably don’t want to spend over $33 million on him over the next few seasons. He also has a no-trade clause which makes a departure this spring from Chicago even more unlikely.
Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera, 1B
8 of 30
2010 Stats: .328, 38 HR, 126 RBI
Contract: Through 2015, $20 million in 2011
Not much surprise here. His salary over the next five years (combined more than $100 million) is difficult enough. But the recent and well-publicized “personal” issues make him as untradeable as anyone in the game.
Sure, he is extremely talented and a top-tier bat in terms of both power and average, but no team can afford his money or PR at this point.
Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner, 1B
9 of 30
2010 Stats: .278, 13 HR, 50 RBI
Contract: Through 2012 (club option in 2013), $13 million in 2011
Indians fans probably can take comfort in the fact that the Tribe won’t be able to deal the popular lefty. Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona? Not so much.
Although Sizemore is also coming off a major injury, Hafner has missed huge chunks of the season each year since 2007.
Furthermore, while Sizemore becomes a free agent after his $7.5 million 2011, Hafner is due double-digit millions through 2012.
Kansas City Royals: Jason Kendall, C
10 of 30
2010 Stats: .256, 0 HR, 37 RBI
Contract: Through 2011, $3.75 million in 2011
You don’t bring in Jason Kendall for enormous power totals or a .300 average...unless it’s 1998.
But the Royals did sign him back in 2010 to be on the field. Even though he did suffer another devastating injury last September.
He wasn’t expected to be ready to go until June, and, although he might end up returning much sooner than that, the 37-year-old can’t be at the top of a contenders list right now.
Texas Rangers: Michael Young, 3B
11 of 30
2010 Stats: .284, 21 HR, 91 RBI
Contract: Through 2013, $12 million in 2011
Obviously, with the acquisition of Adrian Beltre and Young’s reluctance to DH, the Rangers are trying to move their former six-time All-Star.
But teams know of their desperation to do so.
Now the club will probably move him….except with Adrian Beltre already injured, maybe not. Either way, the Rangers probably won’t get fair value for him and that makes it very difficult to move him on their terms.
Oakland A’s: Coco Crisp, CF
12 of 30
2010 Stats: .279, 8 HR, 38 RBI
Contract: Through 2011, $5.75 million in 2011
The A’s didn’t exercise their option on Crisp just to move him. Still what other choice did they have but bring Crisp back? They are mostly a very young club and, alongside Hideki Matsui, need a veteran in the lineup like Crisp to lead off.
Although moving him doesn’t make much sense, even if they wanted to, it would be tough. He’s 31, and his best value is in the running game. At $6 million, that is a lot of money for a few dozen stolen bases, a good glove, and a player whose suffered a few injuries the past two seasons.
Los Angeles Angels: Scott Kazmir, SP
13 of 30
2010 Stats:5.94 ERA, 9-15 W-L, 150 IP
Contract: Through 2011 (club option in 2012), $12 million in 2011
Kazmir’s numbers sure blew up last year. And not only was his ERA huge, he was on the DL twice last year.
Of course, the Yankees are reportedly interested in him. But what team aside from New York wants to spend that kind of money? Even if he is one of those “fabled but rare” left-handed starters?
Seattle Mariners: Milton Bradley, LF
14 of 30
2010 Stats:.205, 8 HR, 29 RBI
Contract: Through 2011, $12 million in 2011
Even if it’s for just one year, who would want to rent Bradley?
He has been saddled with off-field problems for his entire career and was just arrested in January, but now, his numbers are significantly down. His average has dropped roughly 50 points per year the last two seasons.
Given that, his $12 million will probably come from the Mariners and no one else.
Philadelphia Phillies: Raul Ibanez, LF
15 of 30
2010 Stats:.275, 16 HR, 83 RBI
Contract: Through 2011, $11.50 million in 2011
Both Ibanez and Joe Blanton are reportedly “not on the market”. Maybe it’s because they want to keep them around, or maybe it’s because they are very difficult to move.
But Ibanez, who will be 39 this June, is making much more money.
His power numbers were really down last year, and that may stop some teams from pursuing him. Not all, but some.
Atlanta Braves: Nate McLouth, CF
16 of 30
2010 Stats: .190, 6 HR, 24 RBI
Contract: Through 2011 (club option 2012), $6.5 million in 2011
McLouth suffered through a pretty miserable season last year. Now, he should be the club’s Opening Day center fielder, but if he ends up headed back to the bench (or worse, the Minors again) trading him to unload a fairly big contract will be almost impossible.
But you never know, he could rebound, and the Braves will not see that acquisition as a mistake.
As for picking up his $10.25 million option in 2012? That probably won’t happen no matter what.
Florida Marlins: Ricky Nolasco, SP
17 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.51 ERA, 14-9 W-L, 157.2 ERA
Contract: Through 2013, $6 million in 2011
At his 2011 salary, if Nolasco puts up another season like he did in 2010, he’s probably worth it.
He gets substantial pay raises in 2012 and 2013, but if his ERA and WHIP continue to go up like it did in 2009 and last year, that will shy teams off acquiring him.
New York Mets: Carlos Beltran, CF
18 of 30
2010 Stats: .255, 7 HR, 27 RBI
Contract: Through 2011, $18.5 million in 2011
Whether or not it’s true, Beltran has to be considered damaged goods. He’s 33, still rehabbing a knee injury, and is making an enormous salary this year.
Furthermore, he becomes a free agent after next year. If he does return to top form (the 30-homer, 100-RBI, .275-average, Gold Glove form he was in from 2006-08) he can just bolt after the 2011 season.
Who would want to send the Mets top prospects under those circumstances?
Washington Nationals: Jason Marquis, SP
19 of 30
2010 Stats: 6.60 ERA, 2-9 W-L, 13 starts
Contract: Through 2011, $7.5 million in 2011
The Nats certainly expected more from Marquis when they signed him to a two-year, $15 million deal after the 2009 season. And although he becomes a free agent after this year, his $7.5 million salary for this year is probably stuck on the Nationals' books.
He’s bounced around with four teams in the last five years, and, since 2006, Marquis has only had one season where his ERA was under 4.50.
Cincinnati Reds: Scott Rolen, 3B
20 of 30
2010 Stats: .285, 20 HR, 83 RBI
Contract: Through 2012, $6.5 million in 2011
The Reds probably don’t have much interest in trading him as he’s one of the veteran leaders at a young club with a lot of promise. But, Juan Francisco has a lot of potential and might be able to provide the same power numbers at a tremendously reduced salary.
Problem is that Rolen is due $13 million over the next two seasons, he will turn 36 at the start of the season, and is not very durable.
Even with his great glove at the hot corner, it would be hard to move him in exchange for something worthwhile.
St. Louis Cardinals: Kyle Lohse, SP
21 of 30
2010 Stats: 6.55, 4-8 W-L, 18 starts
Contract: Through 2012, $11.875 million in 2011
Adam Wainwright’s injury certainly complicates the Cardinals short-term and long-term plans. So if they have hopes of adding another arm via trade, don’t expect Lohse to be apart of the deal.
For one, he’s 32, had a terrible season last year, and aside from 2008, has struggled.
He has been showing promise in his return from the surgery on his forearm, but with Lohse on the books for another $23 million over the next two seasons, he’s probably a Cardinal through 2012.
Milwaukee Brewers: Randy Wolf, SP
22 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.17 ERA, 13-12 W-L, 34 starts
Contract: Through 2012 (club option in 2013), $9.5 million in 2011
Isn’t $20 million a lot of money?
Sure Wolf is a good pitcher, and plenty of teams would be happy to have him, but he’ll be 35 by the end of the season. He struggled seriously during the first half of the season last year, posting a 6-8 record with a 4.56 ERA prior to the All-Star Break.
Nearly $10 million per season for a pitcher who might be the fourth starter behind Zack Grienke, Yovani Gallardo, and Shaun Marcum is a lot, and other teams know that.
Houston Astros: Brandon Lyon, RP
23 of 30
2010 Stats: 3.12 ERA, 20 saves, 79 games
Contract: Through 2012, $4.25 million in 2011
Maybe the Astros overpaid for Lyon. Maybe not. But at this point, teams won’t be falling all over themselves to sign the righty who will turn 32 this August.
He’s never been a full-time closer, a role he’ll be stepping into this April after he got off to a slow start in 2010.
Since he’s much better at home in the big Houston ball park, it’s hard to see teams going after him and the $10 million owed over the next two seasons.
Chicago Cubs: Carlos Zambrano, SP
24 of 30
2010 Stats: 3.33 ERA, 11-6 W-L, 20 starts
Contract: Through 2013, $17.85 million in 2011
Zambrano is probably the most difficult player to move in all of major league baseball. Not because he isn’t productive or getting old; he’s only 30. He is one of the highest paid players in the game and has not been the easiest player to have on a roster the last few years.
He’s probably untradeable, except to (not surprisingly) the Yankees.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Maholm, SP
25 of 30
2010 Stats: 5.10 ERA, 9-15 W-L, 32 starts
Contract: Through 2011 (club option in 2012), $5.75 million in 2011
Maholm is a good arm to have on the troubled Pirates staff. He’s a lefty with experience and is better than his annual sub.-500 record indicates.
A contender in need of another starter might be interested in Maholm, but he is their highest paid arm and moving him won’t be as easy. Since they just went out to get Lyle Overbay, he probably isn’t on the move until the trade deadline.
San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito, SP
26 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.15 ERA, 9-14 W-L, 33 starts
Contract: Through 2013 (club option 2014), $18.5 million in 2011
There might still be something left in the tank for Zito, who is only 32. But, unless San Francisco cuts the 2002 Cy Young winner, the only way we’ll ever find out is with Zito in a Giants uniform
He’s locked up for another three seasons, and no team is going to take him on for nearly $60 million.
Especially since he will have fewer opportunities to shine in the Giants' already stacked rotation.
San Diego Padres: Ryan Ludwick, LF
27 of 30
2010 Stats: .251, 17 HR, 69 RBI
Contract: Through 2011, $6.775 million in 2011
Ludwick had a pretty horrible run with the Padres after being acquired from the Cardinals. That, coupled with a hefty salary, means he has a long way to go towards making himself attractive to any other team.
The Padres probably don’t want to deal away any potentially powerful bats. But if they do have to make a move, it’s going to be with someone other than Ludwick.
Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton, 1B
28 of 30
2010 Stats: .256, 8 HR, 37 RBI
Contract: Through 2013, $10.6 million in 2011
If the Rockies are going to part with the greatest player in franchise history, they’ll have to get something in return. And since he’s set to make over $10 million this year, that won’t happen in 2011.
Maybe after next season, when his salary decreases greatly due to his restructured deal. But for a team to take on that type of money, for a player with a consistently aching back is probably not on the cards.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Rafael Furcal, SS
29 of 30
2010 Stats: .300, 8 HR, 43 RBI
Contract: Through 2011 (club option for 2012), $12 million in 2011
Between the salary and the back injury that cost him most of 2008 and much of last season, he’ll be hard to move.
The Dodgers probably don’t regret bringing him back after his contract ended in 2007, and he is definitely capable of another big season like he had during the first half of last year (.333, 35 RBI). But team’s won’t inquire about him until they see how his back holds up in the long run.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Joe Saunders, SP
30 of 30
2010 Stats: 4.47 ERA, 9-17 W-L, 33 starts
Contract: Through 2011, $5.5 million in 2011
Saunders would definitely help a team in need of a starter, but he’s making a lot of money next year and becomes a free agent this fall.
Teams that give up something in return won’t want to see him walk after 2011.
It’s more likely that he plays out the string with Arizona and explores his options next year.
Since the Diamondbacks will want something good in return for giving up the most experienced starter in the rotation, he will be difficult to move.
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