There are times when MLB owners need to be saved from themselves. The league has attempted to do just that with the Competitive Balance Tax, where teams are penalized for exceeding certain thresholds. In theory, that should keep teams from overpaying on players.
But that is not always the case. While teams look at both the present and future when determining what to pay players, that does not mean mistakes will not be made. In some cases, those mistakes can be utterly disastrous.
Five worst MLB contracts heading into 2022
It is easy to look at dollar amounts and regard contracts that way. However, it is more a matter of the production for that dollar amount. That, despite the best efforts to predict the future based on the past, cannot be guaranteed, as these deals show.
There are plenty of bad contracts across MLB. Let’s take a look at the five worst deals heading into the 2022 season.
5. Elvis Andrus
The Oakland A’s received Elvis Andrus as part of a swap of bad contracts. Even with the Rangers paying a portion of his salary, they got the worst end of the deal.
At the time Andrus signed his eight year, $120 million extension, he had yet to put together a year that was even league average with the bat. However, he had a solid glove and stole plenty of bases. He was a two time All Star at that point, and at 25 years old, the expectation was that he would continue to develop offensively.
That never happened. Not only has his bat continued to be subpar, but his defense has backslid as well. He is still capable of stealing a base, but does not reach base enough to make his speed the type of asset it should be.
In theory, the A’s only have to worry about another $7 million, as the Rangers are paying the rest of his $14.25 million salary for 2022. The problem is a vesting option for 2023 worth $15 million that becomes guaranteed if he reaches 550 plate appearances in the upcoming year. Andrus also has a full no trade clause as he was traded before the 2021 season. Even though the A’s are looking to slash their payroll, they are likely stuck with Andrus for the next two years.
The Oakland A’s would love to move on from Elvis Andrus. They just do not have a way to get rid of one of MLB’s worst contracts.