In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), player contracts represent a significant aspect of the business side of the sport. Contracts often become the talk of the town, especially as teams navigate the balance between investing in high-profile players and managing their budgets. In this article, we take a closer look at the most expensive contracts in MLB history, grading them based on player performance, longevity, and overall value to their respective teams.
D Tier Contracts
Eric Chavez - Oakland Athletics (8 Years, $66 Million)
The Oakland Athletics' decision to sign Eric Chavez to an extensive contract seemed promising at the onset. Chavez enjoyed notable success as a perennial Gold Glove winner with impressive statistics, averaging five Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and 30 home runs each season. However, his performance dwindled drastically in the final years of the contract, resulting in negative WAR. His inability to stay healthy marred what could have been a positive legacy, leading to a D classification.
Andrew Benintendi - Chicago White Sox (5 Years, $75 Million)
Benintendi's stint with the White Sox started on shaky ground. While he had a good initial season, his overall production has been disappointing. His performance metrics reveal a negative .6 WAR, and the burden of still owing around $50 million on the deal means this contract earns a solid D grading.
Jason Heyward - Chicago Cubs (8 Years, $184 Million)
The Chicago Cubs made a significant commitment to Heyward, which paid off momentarily with a World Series title. However, his performance faltered significantly during the rest of his tenure, leading to a D classification. Despite the enjoyment of a World Series victory, the contract failed to deliver the expected returns in the long run.
C Tier Contracts
Brian Reynolds - Pittsburgh Pirates (8 Years, $106 Million)
Reynolds averages about three WAR and maintains decent statistics, but his role hasn’t transformed the Pirates into contenders. The deal’s modest valuation reflects Pittsburgh's budget constraints, earning it a C rating rather than a failure.
George Springer - Toronto Blue Jays (6 Years, $150 Million)
Springer’s pre-contract averages promised a lot, but injuries have hindered his performance post-signing. Although there's been positive production on field when healthy, the inconsistency contributes to a C rating.
Francisco Lindor - New York Mets (10 Years, $341 Million)
Lindor has delivered decent performance with consistent WAR figures since signing with the Mets. Despite showing potential, the team has yet to achieve significant playoff success, which reflects a balanced value scoring landing him in the C tier.
B Tier Contracts
Paul Goldschmidt - St. Louis Cardinals (5 Years, $130 Million)
Goldschmidt had an impressive run with the Cardinals, notably winning an MVP award. His statistics support the value, resulting in a B rating. The playoffs were a common feature during his contract duration, which added to the overall positive impression.
Zack Greinke - Arizona Diamondbacks (6 Years, $206 Million)
Greinke’s time with the Diamondbacks was characterized by solid performance, reflecting value for the amount invested. Despite not being all-time elite, his consistency earns a B tier rating for the franchise.
Cory Seager - Texas Rangers (10 Years, $325 Million)
After helping Texas secure a World Series title, Seager produced an impressive set of statistics with high WAR during key seasons. The champagne celebration indeed boosts its place in the B tier for short-term success.
A Tier Contracts
Jose Ramirez - Cleveland Guardians (7 Years, $141 Million)
This contract is arguably one of the best in baseball currently—Ramirez not only maintained but improved his performance after signing, significantly outperforming his contract value and attaining consistent playoff appearances, leading to a firm A classification.
Bryce Harper - Philadelphia Phillies (13 Years, $330 Million)
Harper’s long-term deal has underpinned the Phillies' recent playoff appearances, with his individual statistics holding up well despite occasional injury setbacks. The lack of a World Series win keeps it from S tier yet firmly places it within A.
Aaron Judge - New York Yankees (9 Years, $360 Million)
Judge’s elite status has already positioned him among the greats, achieving MVP accolades. Injuries could hinder his assessments further down the line, but for now, the A rating is justified given his current output and historical significance.
S Tier Contracts
Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Dodgers (10 Years, $700 Million)*
Easily the standout contract of the current MLB era, the structure of Ohtani's deal offers significant flexibility for the Dodgers. His MVP-caliber two-way contribution combined with the strategic financial implications earmarks this contract as truly exceptional, deserving of the S tier classification.
Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels (12 Years, $426.7 Million)
Despite incredible past performances, Trout’s recent struggles with injuries limiting his time on the field pull his contract down slightly to C tier. His health issues and the Angels’ team struggles have impacted the legacy—significant for a long-term investment.
Conclusion
The landscape of MLB contracts presents a varying success narrative, from worthy investments to costly miscalculations. Each grading reflects insights into how well these players executed their potential compared to the financial commitments made to them, continuously shaping teams' futures and their approaches to building competitive rosters.
Part 1/9:
Grading MLB’s Most Expensive Contracts
In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), player contracts represent a significant aspect of the business side of the sport. Contracts often become the talk of the town, especially as teams navigate the balance between investing in high-profile players and managing their budgets. In this article, we take a closer look at the most expensive contracts in MLB history, grading them based on player performance, longevity, and overall value to their respective teams.
D Tier Contracts
Eric Chavez - Oakland Athletics (8 Years, $66 Million)
Part 2/9:
The Oakland Athletics' decision to sign Eric Chavez to an extensive contract seemed promising at the onset. Chavez enjoyed notable success as a perennial Gold Glove winner with impressive statistics, averaging five Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and 30 home runs each season. However, his performance dwindled drastically in the final years of the contract, resulting in negative WAR. His inability to stay healthy marred what could have been a positive legacy, leading to a D classification.
Andrew Benintendi - Chicago White Sox (5 Years, $75 Million)
Part 3/9:
Benintendi's stint with the White Sox started on shaky ground. While he had a good initial season, his overall production has been disappointing. His performance metrics reveal a negative .6 WAR, and the burden of still owing around $50 million on the deal means this contract earns a solid D grading.
Jason Heyward - Chicago Cubs (8 Years, $184 Million)
The Chicago Cubs made a significant commitment to Heyward, which paid off momentarily with a World Series title. However, his performance faltered significantly during the rest of his tenure, leading to a D classification. Despite the enjoyment of a World Series victory, the contract failed to deliver the expected returns in the long run.
C Tier Contracts
Brian Reynolds - Pittsburgh Pirates (8 Years, $106 Million)
Part 4/9:
Reynolds averages about three WAR and maintains decent statistics, but his role hasn’t transformed the Pirates into contenders. The deal’s modest valuation reflects Pittsburgh's budget constraints, earning it a C rating rather than a failure.
George Springer - Toronto Blue Jays (6 Years, $150 Million)
Springer’s pre-contract averages promised a lot, but injuries have hindered his performance post-signing. Although there's been positive production on field when healthy, the inconsistency contributes to a C rating.
Francisco Lindor - New York Mets (10 Years, $341 Million)
Part 5/9:
Lindor has delivered decent performance with consistent WAR figures since signing with the Mets. Despite showing potential, the team has yet to achieve significant playoff success, which reflects a balanced value scoring landing him in the C tier.
B Tier Contracts
Paul Goldschmidt - St. Louis Cardinals (5 Years, $130 Million)
Goldschmidt had an impressive run with the Cardinals, notably winning an MVP award. His statistics support the value, resulting in a B rating. The playoffs were a common feature during his contract duration, which added to the overall positive impression.
Zack Greinke - Arizona Diamondbacks (6 Years, $206 Million)
Part 6/9:
Greinke’s time with the Diamondbacks was characterized by solid performance, reflecting value for the amount invested. Despite not being all-time elite, his consistency earns a B tier rating for the franchise.
Cory Seager - Texas Rangers (10 Years, $325 Million)
After helping Texas secure a World Series title, Seager produced an impressive set of statistics with high WAR during key seasons. The champagne celebration indeed boosts its place in the B tier for short-term success.
A Tier Contracts
Jose Ramirez - Cleveland Guardians (7 Years, $141 Million)
Part 7/9:
This contract is arguably one of the best in baseball currently—Ramirez not only maintained but improved his performance after signing, significantly outperforming his contract value and attaining consistent playoff appearances, leading to a firm A classification.
Bryce Harper - Philadelphia Phillies (13 Years, $330 Million)
Harper’s long-term deal has underpinned the Phillies' recent playoff appearances, with his individual statistics holding up well despite occasional injury setbacks. The lack of a World Series win keeps it from S tier yet firmly places it within A.
Aaron Judge - New York Yankees (9 Years, $360 Million)
Part 8/9:
Judge’s elite status has already positioned him among the greats, achieving MVP accolades. Injuries could hinder his assessments further down the line, but for now, the A rating is justified given his current output and historical significance.
S Tier Contracts
Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Dodgers (10 Years, $700 Million)*
Easily the standout contract of the current MLB era, the structure of Ohtani's deal offers significant flexibility for the Dodgers. His MVP-caliber two-way contribution combined with the strategic financial implications earmarks this contract as truly exceptional, deserving of the S tier classification.
Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels (12 Years, $426.7 Million)
Part 9/9:
Despite incredible past performances, Trout’s recent struggles with injuries limiting his time on the field pull his contract down slightly to C tier. His health issues and the Angels’ team struggles have impacted the legacy—significant for a long-term investment.
Conclusion
The landscape of MLB contracts presents a varying success narrative, from worthy investments to costly miscalculations. Each grading reflects insights into how well these players executed their potential compared to the financial commitments made to them, continuously shaping teams' futures and their approaches to building competitive rosters.