Call to the pen
Fansided

Listing the 10 worst MLB contracts for the 2023 season

By Kevin Henry

Apr 29, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 09: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on June 09, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals has one of the worst MLB contracts

Flash back to the end of the 2019 season. The Nationals have just won the World Series and Strasburg was a big part of that, earning MVP honors in the Fall Classic as he posted a 2.51 ERA in two starts (14.1 innings) against the Houston Astros. With Strasburg heading to free agency, the Nationals hand him a seven-year, $245 million deal. At the time, it seems like a smart move. However, it has backfired in a big way for Washington.

Since his World Series exploits, Strasburg has made just eight starts over the last three seasons, working the mound for a combined 31.1 innings. That includes last season when the now-34-year-old right-hander made just one start (on June 9 at Miami) before being shut down for the rest of the season. He made $35 million last season, the same number he is scheduled to make in 2023. However, he is already once again battling thoracic outlet symptoms that result in rib and shoulder discomfort, causing him to not report to spring training on time.

All of Strasburg’s money from that mammoth contract is guaranteed, meaning the Nationals will be paying him this season, no matter how many (if any) games he pitches.

Home/MLB News