On Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels announced the release of veteran first basemen Albert Pujols. Pujols was in the final year of the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed in 2012. The sure-to-be Hall of Famer shocked the baseball world when he left the St. Louis Cardinals to join the Angels. At the time, the move immediately put the Angels in the World Series conversation. However, looking at the contract now, the deal can easily be listed among the worst in MLB history.
After signing with the Angels, Pujols made one All-Star game and the team only appeared in the postseason one time. Generally with contracts of that magnitude the team knows the contract wont have any value in the final three years or so. The Angels signed Pujols in hopes of getting a World Series title in the first five years, and being okay with diminished play in the last five. While the first baseman put up solid numbers, his play never amounted to what the franchise had hoped.
Similarly to the bad Pujols contract we will be taking a look at other historically bad MLB contracts. Some on the list will be players that never panned out. In addition to the stars that hung on a bit too long without production.
Miguel Cabrera: eight years, $248 million
Call it recency bias, but Pujols and Miguel Cabrera have both been extremely sad to watch age. However, 2021 has been even worse. Miggy is in the biggest slump of his career, striking out in 33.8 percent of plate appearances, nearly double his 17.4 percent average. Since signing the extension the Detroit Tigers have not won more than 86 games in a season. Many in baseball call the extension of that magnitude unnecessary for the Hall of Famer. The deal is regarded as one of the worst in Dave Dombrowski’s career.
Prince Fielder: nine years, $214 million
It’s impossible to talk about one bad Tigers contract without bringing up the Prince Fielder mistake. Firstly, Fielder was basically pushed out by fans after poor comments after the Tigers were eliminated from the ALDS. Despite a World Series appearance in his first season with the Tigers, Fielders bat quickly fell off. The star was subsequently traded to the Rangers for Ian Kinsler and cash considerations.
Josh Hamilton: five years, $125 million
While the Pujols contract was bad for the Angels, none may be worse than the failed Josh Hamilton experiment. After a 43 home run season the Angels added Hamilton to the tune of a $125 million contract. Hamilton joined Pujols and Mike Trout and brought World Series expectations. Hamilton hit just .250-21-79 with a .739 OPS and played only 89 games the following year. He later had a drug relapse and ended up being traded back to the Rangers.
Ryan Howard: five years, $125 million
Ryan Howard had two years remaining on his deal when the Phillies surprisingly offered an extension. Just after signing the five year, $125 million deal, Howard had a dramatic decline in production. The Subway spokesman averaged .226-19-66 with a .719 OPS in those final five years.
Homer Bailey: six years, $105 million
When you get a giant contract and spend a majority of it injured, you end up on a list like this. That is the story of Homer Bailey. The Reds thought they were getting an ace, however, they ended up with a pitcher constantly on the IR. In the final four years of his contract Bailey had an ERA over 6.
Pablo Sandoval: : five years, $95 million
The Red Sox signing of Pablo Sandoval was panned from the start, but it only got worse. Sandoval’s time in Boston can be remembered with the broken belt, being on Instagram during a game, and being extremely out of shape. It was a short stint for Sandoval in Boston as the Red Sox waived him in July of 2017.
This list could go on and on. It’s part of baseball having no salary cap, but here are six contracts that were either worse or as bad as the Pujols contract in Los Angeles.
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