Baseball's worst contracts: Infielders, catchers

Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard will rake in a combined $45 million in 2016. (US Presswire)

With the winter meetings coming next week and Rays third baseman Evan Longoria signing another club-friendly (albeit much less friendly than last time) contract, what better time than to take a stroll around some of baseball's worst deals? It's always a fun little exercise bound to result in plenty of discussion.

In judging the contracts, we will be looking only at the remaining years and money on each contract. So, for example, we aren't judging Justin Morneau on his six-year, $80 million deal. We are judging him based only on the remaining one year and $14 million before he hits free agency.

We will start with catchers and infielders.

Catcher

Winner: Joe Mauer, Twins.
Remaining contract: Six years, $138 million

Mauer was back to being himself at the plate in 2012, which was the good news. He hit .319/.416/.446 with 10 homers, 85 RBI and 81 runs. He'd probably be worth the $23 million per season if he caught every day and hit for the power he displayed in 2009. Unfortunately, Mauer started only 72 times behind the plate and caught a full game only 66 times. If he's playing first base or serving as the designated hitter, 10 homers and 85 RBI at $23 million a season isn't even close to cutting it.

For a comparison's sake behind the plate, Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina hit .315/.373/.501 with 22 homers, 76 RBI, 65 runs and started 133 games behind the plate. He's set to make $87 million over the next six years if the Cardinals pick up his club option in 2018. Mauer's not even a full year younger but set to make at least $51 million more in the next six years.

Runner-up: There really aren't any other contracts I'd call bad for predominant catchers.

First base

Winner: Ryan Howard, Phillies.
Remaining contract: Four years, $95 million (with a $23 million club option for 2017, which can be bought out for $10 million)

Howard hit .219/.295/.423 with 14 homers, 56 RBI and 28 runs in 71 games last season. He was coming off a torn Achilles, so some might be apt to give him a pass for such an awful batting average and on-base percentage. That's fine. His contract was bad before last season. In 2011, Howard hit 33 homers and drove home 116 runs with a .253/.346/.488 slash line. Since he really only does one thing well, his bWAR in 2011 was 0.9. Basically, he's a poor defender and baserunner whose only value is derived from RBI. He's regressing and is now 33 years old. His $25 million salary as a 36-year-old in 2016 looks pretty ugly.

Runner-up: Albert Pujols, Angels (nine years, $224 million left). He's going to be making $30 million in 2021 as a 41-year-old. Proponents of the deal said that it would pay for itself early in the contract, but we're now down one year of his prime without a playoff appearance but with a career-low in several offensive categories (runs, homers, walks, average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and more).

Also considered: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (six years, $127 million left). What if his power doesn't return (18 homers in 2012)? That's a $21.5 million, 36-year-old first baseman in 2018.

Second base

Winner: Brian Roberts, Orioles.
Remaining contract: One year, $10 million.

In the past two seasons, Roberts has been able to take part in only 56 games, during which he hit .210/.261/.288. He'll still make eight figures in 2012.

Runner-up: Dan Uggla, Braves (three years, $39 million left). He only hit .220 last season and isn't a very good defender, but Uggla is spared here because he led the NL in walks -- helping his OBP to be a decent .343 -- and hit 19 homers.

Shortstop

Winner: Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers.
Remaining contract: Two years, $31.5 million

Once one of the most promising all-around talents in baseball, Ramirez is now not a ton better than a replacement-level player. He hit .257/.322/.437 last season. The 24 homers and 21 steals look good, but there are issues. First of all, he either strikes out too much and doesn't get on base enough to be a table setter. So the Dodgers batted him fifth after acquiring him, meaning he's a run producer. With 24 homers, a .437 slugging percentage and 92 RBI, we aren't looking at power numbers worthy of a salary north of $15 million a year. The good news is the Dodgers have plenty of money and can afford to see if he turns out a good power threat in the middle of their order.

Runner-up: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox (three years, $26.5 million left with a $10 million club option for 2016). We'll see if he bounces back, but that was quite a regression in 2012 to an ugly .265/.287/.364 line. He does play good defense, though.

Also considered: Derek Jeter is going to make $17 million next season, so surely there are many who would put him atop this list. Here's why I didn't: The Yankees can afford to pay extra to most of their players, it's only one more year and Jeter is a franchise icon. I give them a pass on this. 

Third base

Winner: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees.
Remaining contract: Five years, $114

Look, A-Rod is unfairly maligned in so many circles and, as I said above, the Yankees can afford this. Still, he's 37 years old and is coming off a season where he hit .272/.353/.430 with 18 homers, 57 RBI and 74 runs in 122 games. That's not bad at all, but it's not even close to worthy of more than $20 million per season for the next five. He also hasn't played in more than 138 games since 2007. For over $20 million a year, I demand Prince Fielder durability (he's averaged 160 games played in his seven full seasons).

Runner-up: Chone Figgins is going to make $8 million in 2013, possibly to do nothing if he goes unsigned after Seattle finally parted ways with him. He hit .185/.249/.253 in 147 games in the past two seasons combined. 

Coming Tuesday: Outfielders and designated hitters.

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