5 worst MLB contracts heading into 2022
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.
4. Eric Hosmer
It was a surprise when the San Diego Padres signed Eric Hosmer. It was even more of a surprise when they handed him an eight year deal worth $144 million to leave the Royals. However, as the Padres were looking to re-establish themselves as MLB contenders, signing Hosmer was the first step to proving that they were serious about returning to the postseason.
Four years later, the Padres are doing everything they can to move on. They had reportedly been willing to add a top prospect along with Homser at the trade deadline to get rid of his contract, but were unable to. Those talks may start up again once the lockout ends.
In theory, another four years at $60 million is not terrible. The problem is that Hosmer was a slightly above average bat who was best known for his Gold Glove defense at first when he was brought to San Diego. Since that time, he has posted a 102 OPS+ with 61 homers and 94 doubles in 2065 plate appearances while costing the Padres five runs at first. It is easy to see why another MLB team has not been willing to take him on thus far.
3. Madison Bumgarner
As surprising as Hosmer’s agreeing with the Padres had been, Madison Bumgarner inking a five year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks was a bigger shock. The idea that Bumgarner would wear a uniform other than the Giants seemed to be an impossibility.
Chances are, the Diamondbacks wish he had stayed in San Francisco. While he did throw a seven inning no hitter, most of his time in Arizona has been notable for its mediocrity. He has posted a 5.07 ERA and a 1.239 WHiP in his 188 innings, striking out 154 batters while issuing 52 walks and allowing 37 homers. That is a far cry from his days with the Giants.
Yes, Bumgarner is a great postseason pitcher. And yes, he can serve as a mentor for the Diamondbacks’ young arms. However, considering the strength of the NL West, it is unlikely that Arizona will be in the postseason in any of his remaining three years. At a total of $60 million, that is money down the drain.
2. Robinson Cano
Robinson Cano‘s ten year, $204 million contract was considered an albatross that the Mariners would have to wear. Then the Mets came along and took it off their hands as part of the cost to acquire Edwin Diaz.
Cano has been solid when he has been on the diamond. He has been one of the better hitting second basemen in MLB history and still has an outside chance to reach the 3000 hit plateau. The problem is that he has been suspended twice for failed PED tests during this deal, including the entire 2021 season.
Now Cano is a giant question mark. Due another $48 million over the next two seasons, and already 39 years old, it is impossible to expect that he will be the player he once was. In fact, it is impossible to even know what type of player he will be given his struggles in 2019 and the fact that he lost an entire season.
1. Anthony Rendon
As it currently stands, Anthony Rendon will be the third highest paid MLB player in 2022. He moves up the salary standings in 2023, as he will be the second highest paid player in the league at that point.
He was expected to be a key part of the Angels lineup when he signed his seven year deal worth $245 million prior to the 2020 season. While he lived up to expectations in 2020, he struggled through an injury plagued 2021 campaign, appearing to be a shell of himself when he was on the diamond.
This leaves Rendon as a giant question mark moving forward. The Angels need him to be the powerful run producer he had been. Meanwhile, they need his defense to return to the form he had displayed in Washington. But neither outcome can be guaranteed. As he is due another $190.9 million over the next five years, he could easily fall apart.
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It is entirely possible that Anthony Rendon will not be on this list next season. For now, he has the worst contract currently in MLB.