New York Yankees: Top three worst contracts, ranked

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Sure, the New York Yankees may have an endless supply of money. That doesn’t mean that paying these three players doesn’t hurt.

Ever since the Steinbrenner era kicked off in 1973, the New York Yankees seemingly had an endless supply of money. You see, for the Boss, winning is all that mattered; it was almost an obsession he would go after at all costs.

Since his death in 2009, however, the Yankees have taken a different approach. Sure, they still featured one of baseball’s largest salaries year-in and year-out, but the focus was more on building up a juggernaut of a farm system to pair with the power of the coin.

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In that time span, we’ve seen the Yanks develop a number of players through the system. Guys like Dellin Betances, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge, and the like.

During the George Steinbrenner era, these guys would most certainly have been used as trade pieces for a ready-made superstar. Today, they’re hoarded until the team deems them ready for “the show.”

What’s more, before this offseason, the Yankees spent a number of years in the shadows during MLB’s free agency period. Guys like Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and Patrick Corbin would at one time have been targets for the Bronx Bombers. The front office, however, just watched them go and sign elsewhere.

Despite all of this, the New York Yankees aren’t immune to a bad contract. Whether it be the result of an unforeseen circumstance or just a bad choice on behalf of general manager Brian Cashman and the front office.

With that in mind, here are the THREE worst contracts currently on the Yankee payroll.

Three Worst New York Yankees Contracts

3. Luis Severino | 4-Years, $40M

We begin with pitcher Luis Severino, who at one time was viewed as the future number one ace for the New York Yankees. After a promising start to his career, one that saw him post 41-25 record in 85 starts, striking out 572 batters in 518 IP, Severino has been in a tussle with the injury bug.

Upon signing a 4-year, $40M deal with the Yanks, Severino suffered from right shoulder rotator cuff inflammation and a Grade 2 lat strain. This sidelined Sevy for almost all of the 2019 MLB season.

Then, after 3 decent starts in the regular season and 2 more in the postseason, Sevy’s year ended with some promise. Perhaps the future Yankees ace was ready to finally take the mantle, right?

Wrong.

As soon as pitchers and catchers reported for the 2020 season, Severino was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He would undergo Tommy John surgery, which has a timeline of return of up to one and a half years.

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For 2020, Severino is due $10.5M, about the same as these healthy players are getting paid this season:

Alex Colome, CHW – $10.5M
Dellin Betances, NYM – $10.5M
Carlos Martinez, STL – $10.2M
Sonny Gray, CIN – $10.2M

Three Worst New York Yankees Contracts

2. Aaron Hicks | 7-Years, $70M

Similarly to Severino, Aaron Hicks signed a nice extension prior to the 2019 season. Though he presented as an injury-prone player before signing the deal, he too battled the injury bug last season.

After suffering a (1) lower back strain and a (2) right flexor strain, Hicks only managed to play in 59 games. Now, don’t get me wrong, Hicks had his fair share of big moments in so few games last season. The two most memorable of which showed his value both defensively and offensively.

First, the game-saving catch against the Minnesota Twins (above).

Then, a dramatic game 5 home run off the foul pole in the ALCS against Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros (below).

Unfortunately, however, immediately after the postseason ended for the New York Yankees, Hicks opted to have Tommy John surgery.

Now, for a hitter, the recovery timeline is a bit shorter. In fact, Hicks is set to only miss about 8-months, which puts him on track for a June or July return.

Fortunately for Hicks, with what’s currently taking place around the world, a June or July return could mean he plays a full season. If the season starts sooner, however, that’s $10.8M the Yankees could’ve spent elsewhere this season.

Jackie Bradley Jr., BOS – $11M
Eugenio Suarez, CIN – $11M

Three Worst New York Yankees Contracts

1. Jacoby Ellsbury | 7-Years, $153M

Entering the 2014 MLB season, the New York Yankees faced a difficult decision. Either they re-sign their homegrown player Robinson Cano to a monster extension or they sign a scrappy centerfielder fresh off of a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in Jacoby Ellsbury.