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Rating the ten Worst MLB Contracts on the Books for 2025 Season

Joel Reuter November 29, 2024 Ranking the 10 Worst MLB Contracts on the Books for 2025 Season 0 of 10 Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images There is always a significant level of risk involved when it comes to handing out massive contracts in MLB free agency, and that will no doubt be on the

Rating the ten Worst MLB Contracts on the Books for 2025 Season

Joel ReuterNovember 29, 2024

Rating the ten Worst MLB Contracts on the Books for 2025 Season

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    LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 01: Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant (23) at bat during the MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 1, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos

    There’s all the time a major stage of danger concerned in terms of handing out large contracts in MLB free company, and that can little question be on the minds of groups kicking the tires in the marketplace’s top-tier gamers as soon as once more this winter.

    Whereas most of the most evident ill-advised long-term offers have come and gone, together with the top of Patrick Corbin’s contract with the Washington Nationals this offseason, there are nonetheless a handful of notable ones on the books heading into the 2025 season.

    Forward, we have ranked the ten worst contracts that groups are caught with going ahead, specializing in gamers with a number of years remaining on their present deal. The offers had been ranked based mostly on remaining cash owed, current manufacturing and anticipated manufacturing going ahead.

    No contracts with one 12 months remaining had been thought of, because the end line is in sight on them and groups can extra simply navigate them because of this.

10. All of the Unhealthy Contracts With 2 Years Remaining

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    Anthony Rendon

    Anthony RendonMeg Oliphant/Getty Photos

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    Remaining years and cash left on the books is a significant component in deciding which contracts rank because the worst heading into the brand new season, so it appeared cheap to lump the entire unhealthy offers with two years left on the books into one class within the No. 10 spot.

    Listed here are the worst offers with solely two years remaining and a lightweight on the finish of the tunnel:

    3B Anthony Rendon, LAA: Two years, $77.1 million
    SP Robbie Ray, SF: Two years, $50 million
    OF George Springer, TOR: Two years, $48.3 million
    OF Nick Castellanos, PHI: Two years, $40 million
    SP Taijuan Walker, PHI: Two years, $36 million
    SP Lance McCullers Jr., HOU: Two years, $35.4 million
    IF DJ LeMahieu, NYY: Two years, $30 million
    1B/3B Jeimer Candelario, CIN: Two years, $29 million

    The worst of the bunch is undoubtedly Anthony Rendon, who has managed simply 4.7 WAR over the primary 5 seasons of his seven-year, $245 million deal and can once more be one of many highest-paid gamers within the sport in 2025.

    Additional down the record, Taijuan Walker and DJ LeMahieu are each candidates to be outright launched this offseason as a sunk value might outweigh their adverse contributions.

    On the flip facet, a wholesome Robbie Ray may very well be a significant X-factor for the San Francisco Giants, whereas George Springer just isn’t far faraway from being an All-Star-caliber participant and will bounce again with a greater supporting solid.

9. OF Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox

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    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 24: Andrew Benintendi #23 of the Chicago White Sox at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 24, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

    Justin Casterline/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

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    2025: $17.1 million
    2026: $17.1 million
    2027: $15.1 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $49.3 million

    Amongst 129 place gamers who recorded sufficient plate appearances to qualify for the batting title, Andrew Benintendi ranked 128th with minus-0.8 WAR within the second season of a five-year, $75 million contract.

    The 30-year-old was coming off a profession 12 months and his first All-Star choice when he signed that contract, however that stage of manufacturing has been nowhere to be discovered since he joined the Chicago White Sox, and now he’s on an albatross contract for a crew at all-time low of a rebuild.

    Benintendi hit .229/.289/.396 for a 95 OPS+ with 20 doubles and 20 residence runs in 522 plate appearances this previous season, and the previous Gold Glove defender was additionally one of many worst defensive gamers in baseball (-13 DRS, -1.4 UZR/150) in left discipline.

8. OF Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

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    LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 6:  Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 6, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 5-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

    Rob Leiter/MLB Photographs through Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $26 million
    2026: $26 million
    2027: $26 million
    2028: $26 million

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    Whole Remaining Cash: $104 million

    After profitable the 2018 NL MVP and ending runner-up within the balloting the next 12 months with a second straight 7-WAR season, Christian Yelich inked a nine-year, $215 million extension with the Milwaukee Brewers.

    His manufacturing cratered throughout the shortened 2020 season, and he tallied simply 4.3 WAR over the primary three seasons of that shiny new contract, however he has returned to being an impression offensive participant the final two years.

    The 32-year-old was an All-Star this previous season for the primary time since 2019, hitting .315/.406/.504 for a 151 OPS+ in 315 plate appearances earlier than present process season-ending again surgical procedure in August.

    For a crew just like the Brewers on a good finances, having Yelich account for greater than 30 p.c of their $70.8 million payroll in 2024 was just too large of a chunk of the pie. That may proceed to be the case within the coming years.

7. DH Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees

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    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees watches his eighth inning pinch hit three-run double against the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium on August 31, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

    Jim McIsaac/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $32 million
    2026: $29 million ($10 million paid by MIA)
    2027: $25 million ($10 million paid by MIA)

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    Whole Remaining Cash: $86 million ($20 million paid by MIA)

    Giancarlo Stanton put collectively a implausible 2024 postseason for the New York Yankees, posting a 1.048 OPS with seven residence runs and 16 RBI in 14 video games and taking residence ALCS MVP honors.

    That stated, the 35-year-old is not the star-caliber participant he was in his prime, and whereas he continues to offer over-the-fence energy, he has tallied a mixed 0.6 WAR in 325 video games over the previous three seasons.

    His robust playoff efficiency and the truth that the Marlins are on the hook for roughly 25 p.c of his remaining wage retains him from rating any greater, but it surely’s unlikely he’ll stay as much as his wage over the remaining three seasons of his 13-year, $325 million megadeal.

6. SS Trevor Story, Boston Pink Sox

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    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 24: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his double against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 24, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

    Mark Blinch/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $22.5 million
    2026: $25 million
    2027: $25 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $72.5 million

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    Trevor Story has performed simply 163 video games over the primary three seasons of his six-year, $140 million take care of the Boston Pink Sox, hitting .232/.296/.397 for an 89 OPS+ with 21 residence runs, 90 RBI and 4.0 WAR throughout that span.

    A shoulder situation and subsequent surgical procedure restricted him to a career-low 26 video games in 2024, and with prime prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell knocking on the door, the Boston entrance workplace might begin trying to reduce its losses within the not-too-distant future.

    After racking up 26.8 WAR, two All-Star choices and two Silver Slugger Awards throughout his six seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Story has been an entire non-factor over the primary half of his Pink Sox contract, and at 32 years outdated, a return to his peak kind appears more and more unlikely.

5. SP Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers

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    ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

    Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $40 million
    2026: $38 million
    2027: $37 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $115 million

    The Texas Rangers have paid Jacob deGrom a staggering $70 million for 9 begins and 41 innings of labor over the primary two seasons of his five-year, $185 million contract, and he was watching from the sidelines throughout their 2023 World Collection run.

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    The 36-year-old did return with a 1.69 ERA and a 14-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10.2 innings over three late-season begins, and a clear invoice of well being heading into the offseason might be a welcome change for the two-time Cy Younger winner.

    Nevertheless, the Rangers are actually in a transition interval following a disappointing 2024 marketing campaign, and having $115 million nonetheless on the books doesn’t help of their efforts to get beneath the luxury-tax threshold.

4. 2B/SS Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres

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    LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 06: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during Game 2 of the Division Series presented by Booking.com between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

    Daniel Shirey/MLB Photographs through Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $25.5 million
    2026: $25.5 million
    2027: $25.5 million
    2028: $25.5 million
    2029: $25.5 million
    2030: $25.5 million
    2031: $25.5 million
    2032: $25.5 million
    2033: $25.5 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $229.5 million

    The San Diego Padres’ choice to signal Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal throughout the 2022-23 offseason was a little bit of a head-scratcher from the beginning, particularly contemplating the longstanding perception he would probably must shift off shortstop within the not-too-distant future.

    After a 4.4-WAR debut with the crew in 2023, he had one of many worst seasons of his profession in 2024, hitting a punchless .264/.307/.381 for a 92 OPS+ and tallying simply 1.2 WAR in 111 video games—his lowest complete since his rookie season in 2014.

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    The 32-year-old additionally shifted to second base final spring, opening up the shortstop place for a superior defender in Ha-Seong Kim, however now Kim is departing in free company and Bogaerts could also be pressured to make a full-time return to a place the place he logged below-average defensive metrics (-4 DRS, 0.0 UZR/150) in 2023.

    He might be 40 years outdated within the remaining season of his contract, and whereas a rebound from his 2024 efficiency just isn’t out of the query, the overall downward trajectory of his kind is more likely to proceed.

3. SS Javier Báez, Detroit Tigers

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    BOSTON, MA - JUNE 2: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers in the field during the 10th inning against the Boston Red Soxat Fenway Park on June 2, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

    Picture By Winslow Townson/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $25 million
    2026: $24 million
    2027: $24 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $73 million

    At his peak with the Chicago Cubs, shortstop Javier Báez was probably the most dynamic gamers in baseball, making back-to-back All-Star appearances and ending runner-up in 2018 NL MVP balloting on the power of his energy, velocity and elite protection.

    After becoming a member of the New York Mets as a two-month rental on the 2021 commerce deadline in a deal that despatched Pete Crow-Armstrong the opposite method, he signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Detroit Tigers in free company and was anticipated to be a cornerstone of their rebuilding efforts.

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    As an alternative, the 31-year-old has hit an ugly .221/.262/.347 for a 71 OPS+ in 1,426 plate appearances over the primary three years of that deal, and his already diminished manufacturing cratered in 2024 when he hit .184 with a 46 OPS+ in 289 plate appearances earlier than present process season-ending hip surgical procedure.

    In his absence, rookie Trey Sweeney confirmed professional upside because the beginning shortstop, and Báez will now have to earn his enjoying time in a platoon role to start out the 2025 marketing campaign.

2. OF Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies

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    SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the six inning of game one of a doubleheader at Oracle Park on July 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

    Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $27 million
    2026: $27 million
    2027: $27 million
    2028: $27 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $108 million

    Few gamers have had a greater begin to their MLB profession than Kris Bryant, who received 2015 NL Rookie of the 12 months and adopted it up with 2016 NL MVP honors whereas serving to the Chicago Cubs break a 108-year title drought.

    He was a four-time All-Star throughout his seven seasons with the Cubs, together with the 2021 season when he was traded to the San Francisco Giants on the deadline forward of his first foray into free company.

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    Bryant in the end signed a seven-year, $182 million take care of the Colorado Rockies, who had been seemingly bidding in opposition to themselves at that asking worth and had been under no circumstances one splashy signing away from being contenders.

    That contract now appears to be like like a professional contender to go down because the least productive $100 million deal ever handed out, as accidents have restricted him to 159 video games and minus-1.3 WAR over his first three years in Colorado.

    The 32-year-old performed 37 video games and hit .218/.323/.301 with two residence runs in 155 plate appearances in 2024.

1. OF Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

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    ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 29: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on in the dugout during a game against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 29, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

    Brandon Sloter/Getty Photos

    Remaining Contract

    2025: $37.2 million
    2026: $37.2 million
    2027: $37.2 million
    2028: $37.2 million
    2029: $37.2 million
    2030: $37.2 million

    Whole Remaining Cash: $223.2 million

    Let’s begin by saying that if Mike Trout retired tomorrow, he could be a first-ballot Corridor of Famer in 5 years.

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    The 33-year-old is an 11-time All-Star, three-time MVP winner and was on an all-time nice trajectory over the primary 10 seasons of his profession when he piled up 74.3 WAR and was one of many faces of baseball.

    Nevertheless, he has performed in simply 266 of 648 video games over the previous 4 seasons, which quantities to just about 60 p.c of the time spent watching from the sidelines.

    A nagging again damage was probably the most obtrusive situation initially of that injury-plagued stretch, although it was a torn meniscus in his left knee after which a second tear of the identical meniscus later within the 12 months that restricted him to only 29 video games in 2024.

    He’s nonetheless able to making an impression when wholesome, evidenced by his 140 OPS+ and 10 residence runs in 126 plate appearances when he was in a position to take the sector this previous season, however the damage woes are beginning to pile up.

    Trout’s contract is basically immovable at this level, leaving an Angels crew that’s in critical want of a roster retooling to proceed making an attempt to construct round its growing older celebrity and his bloated wage.

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