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We have all been there. Every once in awhile you have to overpay to bring a guy in who doesn’t last the length of the deal. Sometimes, you even volunteer to bail out a team of a bad contract for a pick/prospect. Other times, you just made a huge mistake. These are the types of contracts you find yourself praying for an early retirement that almost never comes.
We are going to take a look at the Top Six Worst Contracts in the BLB and some dishonorable mentions.
1. SP Robby “Shameless” Aten — 38-years-old - OSA (5-6-4) Denver BC
Some people around the league used to think Aten got his nickname because of his use of foul language and his brash attitude. However, many teams soon found out it had to do with his greed and willingness to sign for much more than he was worth.
It all started in 2008 when he was signed almost out of nowhere by the Washington Bats for a (then) almost unheard of 5-year contract worth $112,000,000. He then produced a 5+ WAR season before being shipped to Toronto the following season. The trade received a lot of flack as despite Aten being the better pitcher in the deal, most thought it was a desperation move for Washington to get out of the remaining years on the deal. In 29 starts for Toronto, he posted a 4.8 WAR, before being shipped out of town again, this time to Maine where he signed a two-year $40M deal. In 44 starts for the Guides, Aten posted a 10.6 WAR, including a 7.0 in 2012, second best of his career.
He then sat on the Free-Agent wire until late January where Denver came in and gave him a 5-year $65M deal he is currently under. His production immediately fell off posting just 4.6 WAR in 55 starts before being sent down to pitch in Triple-A to pitch relief in 2015. Still owed $25 million over the next two seasons. Denver has their fingers crossed he will retire this off-season or next but we all know that’s not very “Shameless.”
2. LF Ethan Stuart — 29-years-old - OSA (5-6-7-3-4) – Syracuse Slammers
Stuart is arguably the best player on the list and one of the youngest. So why does he make the list? Currently eligible to be activated after missing five months with a torn labrum and now has a "wrecked" injury history. He's due $120M the next six seasons. Was hitting just .623 OPS BEFORE the labrum injury after signing the extension. He still has elite power and DWI level fielding in the OF but how many games will he play over the next six seasons?
The Slammers were faced with a very tough decision during the 2014 off-season. The team had just made two consecutive post-season trips, for the first time since 07-08, while posting two of their highest three win totals in franchise history. The veteran club seemed poised for another run and the team didn’t want to lose it’s best slugger and arguably most popular player.
The lefty hit 40 HRs in 2014 but just 7 in 46 2015 games. He could very likely rebound in the power department but with a “wrecked” injury potential he probably no longer plays the OF regularly or is very aggressive on the base paths, something that definitely added to his value. This deal could haunt Syracuse for the next six seasons if he doesn’t rebound, retire or find someone willing to take on the contract.
3. 1B Hector Feliciano - 36-years-old - OSA 5-6-7-5-4 – Morgantown Mohawks
He has the highest salary in BLB, and was hitting about .700 OPS and 1 HR the first half of season. Due $96M over the next four seasons. The BLB's version of Albert Pujols. Paid for past performance. Re-signing him in 2012 was a must for a franchise on the cusp of it's first playoff appearance. But this contract will start to look bad really soon.
The question becomes how soon? Despite the teams surprise playoff run, Feliciano has gone back to his 1st half form hitting .278 but zero home runs and a .613 OPS. He’s still a leader, fan favorite and a player the franchise felt deserved the deal because of what he meant to the franchise. However, if his power is beginning to dip into the 15-20 per season range, combined with limited fielding and speed, you could make the argument this is the worst contract in baseball.
4. SP Tom "Barbed Wire" Schuh — 36-years-old - OSA (4-6-6) – Davenport Brawlers
There was a time that “Barbed Wire” was one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. After a string of eight 5+ WAR seasons, and 69 WAR for his career, you could even make a Hall of Fame case. Those days seem light years from today.
He posted just a 6.45 ERA as a RP this season, a year removed from his worst season as a starter, but will still “earn” $18 million next year. Been on a hard decline since hurting his elbow in 2013. The long-time Brawler at least is extremely popular locally. In terms of cost per season, you could argue $18M for a guy who is a negative pitcher, this could be the worst contract in the BLB. Luckily for the Brawler’s, it’s just one season.
5. SP Ian “Deranged” Fink — 33-years-old - OSA (4-5-7) – Carolina Tobs
$29 million over two years for a declining pitcher who went 8-17 with a 4.59 ERA. Now three years removed from his 7.1 WAR season and a shell of his former self. His velocity has now dropped to 87 MPH down from 99 as recently as 2014. There is also a clause in his contract that he has to be in the rotation. So to get the best production out of him and to keep his morale up, Carolina won’t be able to hide him in the pen. There is a good chance he could end up in Triple-A like Aten is for Denver, or possibly even released.
He is known as a leader in the clubhouse, some saying he “has the most influence of any Tob.” His morale will continue to affect this club until he is removed from the clubhouse. A sad finish who looked well on his way to a near HOF career after his first seven seasons.
6. “OF” Joey Leger - 29-years-old - OSA (6-5-5-3-4) - Death Valley Scorpions
His BLB 162 BB/K ratio is 19/146. Last year, on two of the better lineups in baseball, Leger hit .267 with a .635 OPS. OSA has his range at a "3" which makes him basically unplayable as an OF. He's due $2M per year through 2020, $10M total.
Obviously, $2M per season isn’t astronomical by any means. But when you consider that he can’t field (one of the worst defensive OFs in the BLB 2015), can’t run (2 speed), his only realistic positions are 1B/DH…Would anyone play a .635 OPS guy at 1B who can’t field or run? He is definitely a candidate for outright release.
He started the season in Pittsburgh, where he was starting regularly in RF. When I was hired as Co-GM, the very first move I suggested to Mike was putting Leger on waivers and praying someone would claim him due to his former 1st overall accolades. At the time of the waiver claim, the Millers were 22-29. You know the rest of the story.
He is a player who keeps getting chances because of what was expected of him. Statistically, he had a decent season in 2014 for the Millers, .759 OPS in 100+ games. However, when considering the park the Millers play in, for an OF to hit just a .759 OPS, his WAR was a tiny .3! His career OPS+ is 91 and WAR is -6.1. How this guy continues to get chances is beyond me.
Dishonorable Mentions:
Now, these guys aren’t scrubs or potential franchise cripplers like the ones above. These are just players who are paid a lot of money for their production. Some may disagree with this portion of the list. Feel free to discuss.
SP Alejandro Ruedas - 32-years-old – OSA (5-5-6) —Hartford Whalers
A lot of years left for a declining pitcher entering his mid-30s....Still a 2.4 WAR in 20 starts...$9 per is too much but three years at 32yo isn't awful. A decent pitcher who would be back-end for a lot of teams, but those roles are often filled by $280K players, not $9M.
1B Jamie Monson – 29-years-old – OSA (5-6-7-4-4) - Dallas Sharks
He's overpaid but he still might have 30+ HR power. He plays in a non-friendly HR park but I know the Dallas GM is a big fan after giving a nice haul in negotiations with Pittsburgh GM Mike.
OF CJ Cone – 32-years-old – OSA (4-4-4-3-4) - Carolina Tobs
He's awful but only 1-year left at $6M. Not a franchise breaker. However, will probably sign for a minor league deal in the next off-season.
SP Danny Melgoza – 35-years-old – OSA (7-5-5) —Denver BC
He still looks serviceable at 7-5-5, high groundball, 101 on the gun. On a good team, $10M per year and he is a #3. However, on a rebuilding Denver team with so many holes, that $20M would be better spent filling other holes, or even in Player Development/Scouting.
OF Pat St. Thomas – 31-years-old – (5-6-7-4-4) - Los Angeles Dinos
Expensive...but top 20 player with legit power. His BLB 162 is 32 doubles, 35 homers, and 101 RBI. On a team with budget room, he makes a lot of sense. Any contender could use that production. On a team that is over budget with holes to fill, he will probably be on the trade market.
SP Felipe Vega – 35-yeas-old – (6-7-5) -California Kodiaks
Borderline ace....Top 20 Player… but will be making $12/per until he is 39. These are the types of deals sometimes non-contenders have to make.
OF Pat McLamore – 33-years-old – OSA (4-7-5-5-5) - Dallas Sharks
A .751 OPS for $11M. We just saw his name listed on the trade block, where Dallas will give up a 3rd round pick to any team willing to pay his contract. Not a bad idea for a non-contender. Get a 3rd and possibly flip McLemore at the 2016 deadline to a contender when he only has $5M left on the deal and a solid bat.
SP Adan Neubaurer – 35-years-old – OSA (8-5-5) - Indy Clowns
$11M for next season after posting a 7-15, 5.67 ERA, 1.41 WHIP. Some scouts still think he has hit. Others think he is done as quickly as he emerged from nowhere. Indy will pay him $11M to find out after trading for him late in the season from Maine.
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Anyone you are surprised to make the list? Any surprise omissions? Discuss!
***
Mentioned: P Tyler Salzman (WAS) by Liquidcrash - Overpaid, injury prone, costly playoff mistakes
We are going to take a look at the Top Six Worst Contracts in the BLB and some dishonorable mentions.
1. SP Robby “Shameless” Aten — 38-years-old - OSA (5-6-4) Denver BC
Some people around the league used to think Aten got his nickname because of his use of foul language and his brash attitude. However, many teams soon found out it had to do with his greed and willingness to sign for much more than he was worth.
It all started in 2008 when he was signed almost out of nowhere by the Washington Bats for a (then) almost unheard of 5-year contract worth $112,000,000. He then produced a 5+ WAR season before being shipped to Toronto the following season. The trade received a lot of flack as despite Aten being the better pitcher in the deal, most thought it was a desperation move for Washington to get out of the remaining years on the deal. In 29 starts for Toronto, he posted a 4.8 WAR, before being shipped out of town again, this time to Maine where he signed a two-year $40M deal. In 44 starts for the Guides, Aten posted a 10.6 WAR, including a 7.0 in 2012, second best of his career.
He then sat on the Free-Agent wire until late January where Denver came in and gave him a 5-year $65M deal he is currently under. His production immediately fell off posting just 4.6 WAR in 55 starts before being sent down to pitch in Triple-A to pitch relief in 2015. Still owed $25 million over the next two seasons. Denver has their fingers crossed he will retire this off-season or next but we all know that’s not very “Shameless.”
2. LF Ethan Stuart — 29-years-old - OSA (5-6-7-3-4) – Syracuse Slammers
Stuart is arguably the best player on the list and one of the youngest. So why does he make the list? Currently eligible to be activated after missing five months with a torn labrum and now has a "wrecked" injury history. He's due $120M the next six seasons. Was hitting just .623 OPS BEFORE the labrum injury after signing the extension. He still has elite power and DWI level fielding in the OF but how many games will he play over the next six seasons?
The Slammers were faced with a very tough decision during the 2014 off-season. The team had just made two consecutive post-season trips, for the first time since 07-08, while posting two of their highest three win totals in franchise history. The veteran club seemed poised for another run and the team didn’t want to lose it’s best slugger and arguably most popular player.
The lefty hit 40 HRs in 2014 but just 7 in 46 2015 games. He could very likely rebound in the power department but with a “wrecked” injury potential he probably no longer plays the OF regularly or is very aggressive on the base paths, something that definitely added to his value. This deal could haunt Syracuse for the next six seasons if he doesn’t rebound, retire or find someone willing to take on the contract.
3. 1B Hector Feliciano - 36-years-old - OSA 5-6-7-5-4 – Morgantown Mohawks
He has the highest salary in BLB, and was hitting about .700 OPS and 1 HR the first half of season. Due $96M over the next four seasons. The BLB's version of Albert Pujols. Paid for past performance. Re-signing him in 2012 was a must for a franchise on the cusp of it's first playoff appearance. But this contract will start to look bad really soon.
The question becomes how soon? Despite the teams surprise playoff run, Feliciano has gone back to his 1st half form hitting .278 but zero home runs and a .613 OPS. He’s still a leader, fan favorite and a player the franchise felt deserved the deal because of what he meant to the franchise. However, if his power is beginning to dip into the 15-20 per season range, combined with limited fielding and speed, you could make the argument this is the worst contract in baseball.
4. SP Tom "Barbed Wire" Schuh — 36-years-old - OSA (4-6-6) – Davenport Brawlers
There was a time that “Barbed Wire” was one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. After a string of eight 5+ WAR seasons, and 69 WAR for his career, you could even make a Hall of Fame case. Those days seem light years from today.
He posted just a 6.45 ERA as a RP this season, a year removed from his worst season as a starter, but will still “earn” $18 million next year. Been on a hard decline since hurting his elbow in 2013. The long-time Brawler at least is extremely popular locally. In terms of cost per season, you could argue $18M for a guy who is a negative pitcher, this could be the worst contract in the BLB. Luckily for the Brawler’s, it’s just one season.
5. SP Ian “Deranged” Fink — 33-years-old - OSA (4-5-7) – Carolina Tobs
$29 million over two years for a declining pitcher who went 8-17 with a 4.59 ERA. Now three years removed from his 7.1 WAR season and a shell of his former self. His velocity has now dropped to 87 MPH down from 99 as recently as 2014. There is also a clause in his contract that he has to be in the rotation. So to get the best production out of him and to keep his morale up, Carolina won’t be able to hide him in the pen. There is a good chance he could end up in Triple-A like Aten is for Denver, or possibly even released.
He is known as a leader in the clubhouse, some saying he “has the most influence of any Tob.” His morale will continue to affect this club until he is removed from the clubhouse. A sad finish who looked well on his way to a near HOF career after his first seven seasons.
6. “OF” Joey Leger - 29-years-old - OSA (6-5-5-3-4) - Death Valley Scorpions
His BLB 162 BB/K ratio is 19/146. Last year, on two of the better lineups in baseball, Leger hit .267 with a .635 OPS. OSA has his range at a "3" which makes him basically unplayable as an OF. He's due $2M per year through 2020, $10M total.
Obviously, $2M per season isn’t astronomical by any means. But when you consider that he can’t field (one of the worst defensive OFs in the BLB 2015), can’t run (2 speed), his only realistic positions are 1B/DH…Would anyone play a .635 OPS guy at 1B who can’t field or run? He is definitely a candidate for outright release.
He started the season in Pittsburgh, where he was starting regularly in RF. When I was hired as Co-GM, the very first move I suggested to Mike was putting Leger on waivers and praying someone would claim him due to his former 1st overall accolades. At the time of the waiver claim, the Millers were 22-29. You know the rest of the story.
He is a player who keeps getting chances because of what was expected of him. Statistically, he had a decent season in 2014 for the Millers, .759 OPS in 100+ games. However, when considering the park the Millers play in, for an OF to hit just a .759 OPS, his WAR was a tiny .3! His career OPS+ is 91 and WAR is -6.1. How this guy continues to get chances is beyond me.
Dishonorable Mentions:
Now, these guys aren’t scrubs or potential franchise cripplers like the ones above. These are just players who are paid a lot of money for their production. Some may disagree with this portion of the list. Feel free to discuss.
SP Alejandro Ruedas - 32-years-old – OSA (5-5-6) —Hartford Whalers
A lot of years left for a declining pitcher entering his mid-30s....Still a 2.4 WAR in 20 starts...$9 per is too much but three years at 32yo isn't awful. A decent pitcher who would be back-end for a lot of teams, but those roles are often filled by $280K players, not $9M.
1B Jamie Monson – 29-years-old – OSA (5-6-7-4-4) - Dallas Sharks
He's overpaid but he still might have 30+ HR power. He plays in a non-friendly HR park but I know the Dallas GM is a big fan after giving a nice haul in negotiations with Pittsburgh GM Mike.
OF CJ Cone – 32-years-old – OSA (4-4-4-3-4) - Carolina Tobs
He's awful but only 1-year left at $6M. Not a franchise breaker. However, will probably sign for a minor league deal in the next off-season.
SP Danny Melgoza – 35-years-old – OSA (7-5-5) —Denver BC
He still looks serviceable at 7-5-5, high groundball, 101 on the gun. On a good team, $10M per year and he is a #3. However, on a rebuilding Denver team with so many holes, that $20M would be better spent filling other holes, or even in Player Development/Scouting.
OF Pat St. Thomas – 31-years-old – (5-6-7-4-4) - Los Angeles Dinos
Expensive...but top 20 player with legit power. His BLB 162 is 32 doubles, 35 homers, and 101 RBI. On a team with budget room, he makes a lot of sense. Any contender could use that production. On a team that is over budget with holes to fill, he will probably be on the trade market.
SP Felipe Vega – 35-yeas-old – (6-7-5) -California Kodiaks
Borderline ace....Top 20 Player… but will be making $12/per until he is 39. These are the types of deals sometimes non-contenders have to make.
OF Pat McLamore – 33-years-old – OSA (4-7-5-5-5) - Dallas Sharks
A .751 OPS for $11M. We just saw his name listed on the trade block, where Dallas will give up a 3rd round pick to any team willing to pay his contract. Not a bad idea for a non-contender. Get a 3rd and possibly flip McLemore at the 2016 deadline to a contender when he only has $5M left on the deal and a solid bat.
SP Adan Neubaurer – 35-years-old – OSA (8-5-5) - Indy Clowns
$11M for next season after posting a 7-15, 5.67 ERA, 1.41 WHIP. Some scouts still think he has hit. Others think he is done as quickly as he emerged from nowhere. Indy will pay him $11M to find out after trading for him late in the season from Maine.
***
Anyone you are surprised to make the list? Any surprise omissions? Discuss!
***
Mentioned: P Tyler Salzman (WAS) by Liquidcrash - Overpaid, injury prone, costly playoff mistakes
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