The Absolute Worst Contracts In MLB History

MLB teams were astonishingly withholding in 2018. They spent so little that the MLBPA filed a grievance against four teams – the Marlins, Athletics, Pirates, and Rays – claiming they weren’t spending their revenue-sharing money appropriately. Why the sudden frugality?

Look no further than these, the worst MLB contracts of all time.

Jason Bay

After a monstrous 2009 in Boston, the Mets inked Bay to a four-year, $66 million deal they’d almost immediately regret. The left fielder was awful when he played, which was rare, hitting .234/.318/.369 in just 288 games over three seasons before the team mercifully bought him out of his contract.

Mike Hampton

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After a runner-up Cy Young campaign in 1999 and a World Series run in 2000, the Rockies inked the lefty to an unheard-of eight-year deal worth $121 million. He posted a 5.75 ERA in two seasons with the Rockies before they traded him to the Braves.

Hampton made just 85 more starts over the remaining six years of the deal.

Hector Olivera

In March 2015, the Dodgers inked the Cuban infielder to a six-year, $62.5 million contract, including a fat $28 million signing bonus. He was traded to the Braves about two months later and his since played a total of 30 MLB games. The Dodgers are still paying him.

Ryan Howard

In 2010, the Phillies inked their 30-year-old first baseman to a five-year, $125 million extension that’d kick in in 2012. Over the life of the deal, Howard hit .226/.292/.427 with 96 home runs. In 2014, he led the majors in strikeouts (190) for the second time in his career.