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MLB Free Agency: The five worst contracts in the league

By Kristen Bentley

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) American League All-Stars Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees look on during introductions before the 84th MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2013 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The American League defeated the National League 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) American League All-Stars Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees look on during introductions before the 84th MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2013 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The American League defeated the National League 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

As we wonder why so many players in MLB free agency have yet to sign, all we have to do is look at some of the biggest and longest contracts currently in the league.

For several years, MLB free agency has been very kind to players who can hit the most home runs and who can throw the fastest fast balls.

There is no doubt that fanbases have greatly appreciated being able to watch Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander on a daily basis. But, as players like these age, do their contracts – that were once considered reasonable – become unwieldy and absurd?

It depends on the player.

The ten highest contracts in the MLB belong to Giancarlo Stanton, Cabrera, Pujols and Robinson Cano, Joey Votto, David Price, Scherzer, Zack Grienke, Jason Heyward, and Verlander. There is no doubt that these 11 players are some of the best who have ever stepped between the lines. All them have played in numerous All-Star Games. Most have a collection of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards. There are several MVP and Cy Young winners. And, several have had their fair share of playing time in playoff games.

It is safe to say that many of these players will be first-ballot Hall of Fame candidates. And, many would argue that their contracts are some of the worst in the MLB.

But are they?

Consider Pujols and Cabrera. The two sluggers are currently in second and third place in career hits for active players. Cano is in fourth. Pujols and Cabrera are also first and second in home runs for active players.

The Angels still owe Pujols $87 million for three years and the Tigers owe Cabrera $154 million for five years. But, before their contracts are called the worst in the league, it is important to consider what they have done for the game and for their teams. When it comes to active players, they are in a class all their own – even as they both close in on 40. Therefore, they are not included in the list of the five worst contracts in the MLB.

The same go for the rest of the men who have the 10 highest contracts – with the exception of one player who is extremely overpaid for what he brings to the game. The other terrible contracts belong to players who were incredibly overvalued and did not deliver. These five men have most likely contributed to the slow free-agency signings this off-season and last off-season.

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