Who has the worst contract in baseball?

[epo]

So I'm watching the Brewers/Cubs game today and obviously Alfonso Soriano comes to the plate. I start thinking to myself that Alfonso Soriano is not only overrated, but grossly overpaid. Then I check into the details:

He is in year 3 of an 8yr/$136million contract.
He is 33 years old

Now couple that with the fact that Soriano these problems with his game:


He is oft-injured
He essentially stinks in the lineup in any spot other than lead-off
He is possibly the worst defensive left fielder I've ever seen.
Reportedly his attitude sucks

So I ask...is there a worse contract in baseball than his?

[disneyspy]

the mets got sheffield for nuthin and hes killin their team,a sub .500 season.the tigers let him go and theyre 9 over, sheff brings a chocker feeling to the team which the mets fans are just starting to understand

[El Mudo]

Juan Pierre (making 45 million over 5)

Any team that still pays David Eckstein

[disneyspy]

whatever the bills are payin TO IS TOO MUCH,enjoy the dropped passes and no team chemistry AND THE WHINING

[SatCam]

Who has the worst contract in baseball?

the fans

[Kevin]

So I'm watching the Brewers/Cubs game today and obviously Alfonso Soriano comes to the plate. I start thinking to myself that Alfonso Soriano is not only overrated, but grossly overpaid. Then I check into the details:

He is in year 3 of an 8yr/$136million contract.
He is 33 years old

Now couple that with the fact that Soriano these problems with his game:


He is oft-injured
He essentially stinks in the lineup in any spot other than lead-off
He is possibly the worst defensive left fielder I've ever seen.
Reportedly his attitude sucks

So I ask...is there a worse contract in baseball than his?

The Mets are going to have to start paying Bonilla 1 mil a year for the next 28 years or so..

I think thats going to be the worst contract ever.

In other Bonilla news the Mets will start paying Bobby Bo again in 2011. They will be paying him 1.19 million a year between then and 2035. ...

[MacVittie]

Barry Zito. Seven years, $126 million. Since joining the Giants, he's gone 25-38 with a 4.83 ERA. Compare that to his record with Oakland: 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA.

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Zito%20Suck.jpg

[sailor]

Barry Zito. Seven years, $126 million. Since joining the Giants, he's gone 25-38 with a 4.83 ERA. Compare that to his record with Oakland: 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA.

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Zito%20Suck.jpg

exact one i came here to post. worst part is everyone knew it was bad when they signed him to it, except the giants apparently.

[Snoogans]

Yea I cant argue with Zito. He is so far from even deserving his spot in the rotation, nevermind the cash he got

[epo]

Barry Zito. Seven years, $126 million. Since joining the Giants, he's gone 25-38 with a 4.83 ERA. Compare that to his record with Oakland: 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA.

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Zito%20Suck.jpg

Good call.

[joecanada]

Fonzie is worth every penny of that contract, this one of the worst slumps of his career but when he is on he can carry the Cubs for weeks at a time. As for his defence although he maybe miss plays the odd ball in the outfield but he has one of the best arms in the outfield. Ryan Braun is a alot worse than Fonzie in the outfield. Other than that one of the worst contracts is what ever the Tigers are paying Dontrell Willis, i think its 3 years for 29 million.

[A.J.]

None of you Joe Morgan haters was going to mention ESPN's contract with him?

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/08/joemorganemmy.jpg

[Snoogans]

None of you Joe Morgan haters was going to mention ESPN's contract with him?

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/08/joemorganemmy.jpg

OH SHIT. Damn, AJ, thats some funny fuckin shit

[Snoogans]

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/06/23/amd_jerry-manuel.jpg

[cougarjake13]

So I'm watching the Brewers/Cubs game today and obviously Alfonso Soriano comes to the plate. I start thinking to myself that Alfonso Soriano is not only overrated, but grossly overpaid. Then I check into the details:

He is in year 3 of an 8yr/$136million contract.
He is 33 years old

Now couple that with the fact that Soriano these problems with his game:


He is oft-injured
He essentially stinks in the lineup in any spot other than lead-off
He is possibly the worst defensive left fielder I've ever seen.
Reportedly his attitude sucks

So I ask...is there a worse contract in baseball than his?


why is it so obvious that soriano came up to the plate, theres at least 8 others it coulda been

[epo]

Fonzie is worth every penny of that contract, this one of the worst slumps of his career but when he is on he can carry the Cubs for weeks at a time. As for his defence although he maybe miss plays the odd ball in the outfield but he has one of the best arms in the outfield. Ryan Braun is a alot worse than Fonzie in the outfield. Other than that one of the worst contracts is what ever the Tigers are paying Dontrell Willis, i think its 3 years for 29 million.

You make me laugh.

[K.C.]

As soon as I saw this thread, I said Zito, too.

But for the sake of being different, I'll submit a couple:

Vernon Wells - 7 yrs, $126 mil

Dontrelle Willis - 3 yrs, $29 mil (is he even back in the Majors yet?)

[K.C.]

Oh, and Oliver Perez.

I forget what he signed for this offseason, but....yeah...just awful.

[cougarjake13]

As soon as I saw this thread, I said Zito, too.

But for the sake of being different, I'll submit a couple:

Vernon Wells - 7 yrs, $126 mil

Dontrelle Willis - 3 yrs, $29 mil (is he even back in the Majors yet?)

he was but i think hes back down again

[disneyspy]

You make me laugh.

i have to agree with his dontrelle willis pick tho,the tigers put him on the 15 day disabled list for anxiety disorder cuz he kept pullin a sheffied when he pitched,hes got a 7 1/2 ERA which is lower than last years

[epo]

the mets got sheffield for nuthin and hes killin their team,a sub .500 season.the tigers let him go and theyre 9 over, sheff brings a chocker feeling to the team which the mets fans are just starting to understand

Your Sheffield hatred is cute.

[instrument]

Stephhon marberry had a pretty sweeet deal with the knicks.

[KnoxHarrington]

I think the Orioles may still be paying Albert Belle.

[cougarjake13]

isnt there another guy from the 90's other than bonilla that the mets have to start paying ??



i wanna say its saberhagen

[MacVittie]

Willis was a really bad contract, but it's only 3 years. They can move on from him soon enough (after 2010 if I'm not mistaken). The Giants have Zito until 2013 and the Cubs have Soriano until 2014.

[cougarjake13]

Willis was a really bad contract, but it's only 3 years. They can move on from him soon enough (after 2010 if I'm not mistaken). The Giants have Zito until 2013 and the Cubs have Soriano until 2014.



thing is they gave him(willis) the contract recently, after he got traded there

so that was well after he started declining

[K.C.]

isnt there another guy from the 90's other than bonilla that the mets have to start paying ??



i wanna say its saberhagen

http://nbcsportsmedia2.msnbc.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040108/040108_mo_vaughn_.widec.jpg

[MacVittie]

thing is they gave him(willis) the contract recently, after he got traded there

so that was well after he started declining

I forgot that it was a trade; I thought it was a free-agent signing like Zito.

[disneyspy]

thing is they gave him(willis) the contract recently, after he got traded there

so that was well after he started declining

it was signed in december of 07,maybe they'll let him go to the mets for free

[Pestz4Evah]

Jason Schmidt's 3year/47million contract is pretty terrible:

Schmidt in his Dodger career has only one win in six starts, which means that as of 2009 the Dodgers have paid him $47 million per win

[FatassTitePants]

Okay, I know the difference between football and baseball, but somebody told me the other day that Steve Young still gets $1 per year from the USFL, and will for 40 years after he signed the contract. I looked it up and they were pretty close

"Young signed a record 10-year, $40 million contract with the Los Angeles Express of the now-defunct United States Football League in 1984. He agreed to take his payment in the form of an annuity to help the fledgling team; he would receive 40 million dollars paid out over 40 years. It was with the Express that Young came into contact with coach Russ A. Molzahn. At the time, it was another huge signing by the fledgling league, who had also succeeded in signing the current Heisman Trophy winner, running back Mike Rozier of the University of Nebraska as well as the previous winner, University of Georgia's running back Herschel Walker. Despite being surrounded with some talent, such as future NFL'ers Jojo Townsell, Mel Gray and Kevin Nelson, and making the playoffs in Young's first season, the Express never was able to create a sustaining fan base in Los Angeles. Young missed the first six games of his rookie season because he took some college classes so he could graduate on time. However, he started the final 12 games and had a decent year. His most notable accomplishment was becoming the first pro football player ever to pass for 300 yards and rush for another 100 in a single game.

In Young's second and final season with the USFL's Express, team owner William Oldenburg went bankrupt, and was forced to turn the team over to the league after being unable to find a buyer. The season rapidly became a fiasco. Before one game, the team bus driver refused to drive the Express to the Coliseum after his paycheck bounced. Young contributed a lot of money, as did some of his teammates, and the driver got them to their game. Young then lined up in the tailback position and took snaps from the shotgun formation because the Express were left with no healthy running backs.

The league ceased operations in 1986 after losing most of its claims in an antitrust suit against the NFL. Young continues to receive his annuity. Payments started at $200,000 per year in 1990 and will continue to increase annually. In 2027, the final year of the contract, Young should receive $3.173 million."

[TheMojoPin]

So I'm watching the Brewers/Cubs game today and obviously Alfonso Soriano comes to the plate. I start thinking to myself that Alfonso Soriano is not only overrated, but grossly overpaid. Then I check into the details:

He is in year 3 of an 8yr/$136million contract.
He is 33 years old

Now couple that with the fact that Soriano these problems with his game:


He is oft-injured
He essentially stinks in the lineup in any spot other than lead-off
He is possibly the worst defensive left fielder I've ever seen.
Reportedly his attitude sucks

So I ask...is there a worse contract in baseball than his?

Soriano's contract is God-awful, but you're pretty nuts if you think he's the worst LFer you've ever seen and you root for a team with Ryan Braun prowling LF. Soriano's range and arm actually make him an above average LFer by pretty much any serious defensive matix or analysis out there. The injury stuff is just bad timing. Up until he signed the contract he was basically never injured. Luck of the Cubs, I guess. And where did you hear his attitude sucks?

Soriano has been horrible this year from May onwards semeingly because he's playing hurt and the Cubs are too dumb to DL him, but thus far for the first 2 years of his contract he's been worth it according to Fangraphs: In 2007 he was worth over $22 million and got paid $10 million. Last year he was essentially break even ($13.8 million value for $14 million pay). Again, this as a whole is a bad contract and will suck the last 2-3 years he's here, but for the first two years of it the Cubs have at least gotten their money's worth and then some. We're not talking like Juan Pierre or Andruw Jones or Zito and basically paying for nothing.

[lleeder]

exact one i came here to post. worst part is everyone knew it was bad when they signed him to it, except the giants apparently.

Everyone knew it was bad but they thought he still had ability. He was like a solid number 2 pitcher when he signed the deal. Now he's a number 5 or not even that good. Thats what made the deal the worst one out there.

[Caseyelan]

http://nbcsportsmedia2.msnbc.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040108/040108_mo_vaughn_.widec.jpg

LOL. I thought for sure this was a thread about the Mets. I'm a huge met fan but we are notorious for over paying vet players and losing young talent.

Oh and we got sheff for a bag of peanuts and he has had a few winning moments. I don't see a real problem there.

[underdog]

Oh and we got sheff for a bag of peanuts and he has had a few winning moments. I don't see a real problem there.

He turned down disneyspy's advances.

[disneyspy]

the thing about peanut man is he only plays well when you dont need him to,watch,poor mets fans,i feel for ya,really,fuck you underdog

[cougarjake13]

Okay, I know the difference between football and baseball, but somebody told me the other day that Steve Young still gets $1 per year from the USFL, and will for 40 years after he signed the contract. I looked it up and they were pretty close

"Young signed a record 10-year, $40 million contract with the Los Angeles Express of the now-defunct United States Football League in 1984. He agreed to take his payment in the form of an annuity to help the fledgling team; he would receive 40 million dollars paid out over 40 years. It was with the Express that Young came into contact with coach Russ A. Molzahn. At the time, it was another huge signing by the fledgling league, who had also succeeded in signing the current Heisman Trophy winner, running back Mike Rozier of the University of Nebraska as well as the previous winner, University of Georgia's running back Herschel Walker. Despite being surrounded with some talent, such as future NFL'ers Jojo Townsell, Mel Gray and Kevin Nelson, and making the playoffs in Young's first season, the Express never was able to create a sustaining fan base in Los Angeles. Young missed the first six games of his rookie season because he took some college classes so he could graduate on time. However, he started the final 12 games and had a decent year. His most notable accomplishment was becoming the first pro football player ever to pass for 300 yards and rush for another 100 in a single game.

In Young's second and final season with the USFL's Express, team owner William Oldenburg went bankrupt, and was forced to turn the team over to the league after being unable to find a buyer. The season rapidly became a fiasco. Before one game, the team bus driver refused to drive the Express to the Coliseum after his paycheck bounced. Young contributed a lot of money, as did some of his teammates, and the driver got them to their game. Young then lined up in the tailback position and took snaps from the shotgun formation because the Express were left with no healthy running backs.

The league ceased operations in 1986 after losing most of its claims in an antitrust suit against the NFL. Young continues to receive his annuity. Payments started at $200,000 per year in 1990 and will continue to increase annually. In 2027, the final year of the contract, Young should receive $3.173 million."



god damn


but who the hell is paying him ??

[STC-Dub]

Put me down as another vote for Zito.

[drjoek]

http://www.k5.dion.ne.jp/~high-5/LOVELOG_IMG/igawa701098.jpg
Kei Igawa

[El Mudo]

Okay, I know the difference between football and baseball, but somebody told me the other day that Steve Young still gets $1 per year from the USFL, and will for 40 years after he signed the contract. I looked it up and they were pretty close

"Young signed a record 10-year, $40 million contract with the Los Angeles Express of the now-defunct United States Football League in 1984. He agreed to take his payment in the form of an annuity to help the fledgling team; he would receive 40 million dollars paid out over 40 years. It was with the Express that Young came into contact with coach Russ A. Molzahn. At the time, it was another huge signing by the fledgling league, who had also succeeded in signing the current Heisman Trophy winner, running back Mike Rozier of the University of Nebraska as well as the previous winner, University of Georgia's running back Herschel Walker. Despite being surrounded with some talent, such as future NFL'ers Jojo Townsell, Mel Gray and Kevin Nelson, and making the playoffs in Young's first season, the Express never was able to create a sustaining fan base in Los Angeles. Young missed the first six games of his rookie season because he took some college classes so he could graduate on time. However, he started the final 12 games and had a decent year. His most notable accomplishment was becoming the first pro football player ever to pass for 300 yards and rush for another 100 in a single game.

In Young's second and final season with the USFL's Express, team owner William Oldenburg went bankrupt, and was forced to turn the team over to the league after being unable to find a buyer. The season rapidly became a fiasco. Before one game, the team bus driver refused to drive the Express to the Coliseum after his paycheck bounced. Young contributed a lot of money, as did some of his teammates, and the driver got them to their game. Young then lined up in the tailback position and took snaps from the shotgun formation because the Express were left with no healthy running backs.

The league ceased operations in 1986 after losing most of its claims in an antitrust suit against the NFL. Young continues to receive his annuity. Payments started at $200,000 per year in 1990 and will continue to increase annually. In 2027, the final year of the contract, Young should receive $3.173 million."



Thats almost like the deal the ABA owners who sold out made....they get a piece of the NBA TV contract in perpetuity

[epo]

Soriano's contract is God-awful, but you're pretty nuts if you think he's the worst LFer you've ever seen and you root for a team with Ryan Braun prowling LF. Soriano's range and arm actually make him an above average LFer by pretty much any serious defensive matix or analysis out there. The injury stuff is just bad timing. Up until he signed the contract he was basically never injured. Luck of the Cubs, I guess. And where did you hear his attitude sucks?

You seriously wanna compare Ryan Braun's bad defense to Soriano's hideous defense?

By the way, was Soriano hurt yesterday in the 2nd inning or dogging it? I'm speaking of that blooper that he could've had a double on and he barely made it to first, then Hall bobbled a grounder twice and Soriano still wasn't 3/4 of the way to 2nd.

[TheMojoPin]

You seriously wanna compare Ryan Braun's bad defense to Soriano's hideous defense?

Yes. Soriano is generally considered a much more valuable and viable LFer defensively due to his arm and his range (even when hurt). The only thing that keeps Braun from being Dunn-bad is that he's not as slow as Dunn.

By the way, was Soriano hurt yesterday in the 2nd inning or dogging it? I'm speaking of that blooper that he could've had a double on and he barely made it to first, then Hall bobbled a grounder twice and Soriano still wasn't 3/4 of the way to 2nd.

Dunno, I didn't see the game. I'd have to assume it was due to that knee that's been bothering him since May.

[epo]

Yes. Soriano is generally considered a much more valuable and viable LFer defensively due to his arm and his range (even when hurt). The only thing that keeps Braun from being Dunn-bad is that he's not as slow as Dunn.

I'll just say this...yesterday Alfonso Soriano was playing just in front of the warning track and had a ball hit by Casey McGehee go over his head. I don't care what your charts and graphs tell you, Soriano is the worst defensive OF I have ever seen.

Dunno, I didn't see the game. I'd have to assume it was due to that knee that's been bothering him since May.

The reason I ask was Soriano seemed to motion for a replacement while at first and only was he not replaced for a runner, but Lou made him play the rest of the game.

[TheMojoPin]

I'll just say this...yesterday Alfonso Soriano was playing just in front of the warning track and had a ball hit by Casey McGehee go over his head. I don't care what your charts and graphs tell you, Soriano is the worst defensive OF I have ever seen.

Ah, so it comes down to ye olde "to hell with that stats, I know what I see!" argument, though I'm not sure how that's even applicable to a player you watch, what, MAYBE 20 times a year? Really, if he's the worst defensive outfielder you've ever seen, I can only assume you've been watching baseball for about a month at the most and presumably only the Cubs during that time.

The reason I ask was Soriano seemed to motion for a replacement while at first and only was he not replaced for a runner, but Lou made him play the rest of the game.

I'm not seeing anything about this on the Cubs sites. If this did actually play out like that people would be flipping out since Lou hasn't exactly been a favorite for a while now.

[sailor]

don't forget, mojo doesn't understand statistics and they make his head hurt. he's faking it.

[UpperEastSideDave]

why is it so obvious that soriano came up to the plate, theres at least 8 others it coulda been

I see what you've done here....

[CruelCircus]

I'll just say this...yesterday Alfonso Soriano was playing just in front of the warning track and had a ball hit by Casey McGehee go over his head. I don't care what your charts and graphs tell you, Soriano is the worst defensive OF I have ever seen.

You never saw Todd Hundley? Greg Luzinski? Ken Phelps? Daniel Murphy earlier this year?