Baseball teams love to hand out giant paydays. But for every contract that turns into a bargain, there’s another that makes fans wince and owners reconsider their life choices.
These 15 MLB stars were supposed to be franchise-altering superstars. Instead, they ended up as cautionary tales for why you don’t always open the checkbook too wide.
15. Jacoby Ellsbury
Ellsbury got paid like a superstar and then basically disappeared. Yankees fans are still wondering if he was ever actually on the roster.
14. Eric Hosmer
San Diego shelled out big money for leadership and power. They mostly got ground balls to second and a whole lot of regret.
13. Prince Fielder
Fielder was fun, powerful, and productive—until he wasn’t. A brutal neck injury cut his career short, but the Rangers were still on the hook.
12. Pablo Sandoval
The Red Sox gave Kung Fu Panda a massive deal, and he gave them Instagram drama and infield errors. Boston moved on faster than you can say “waiver wire.”
11. Stephen Strasburg
When healthy, Strasburg was electric. Unfortunately, that health window was about as short as his post-contract effectiveness.
10. Carl Crawford
He was a speedster and an All-Star in Tampa, but after signing with Boston, he was a shell of himself. The Sox couldn’t unload him fast enough.
9. Josh Hamilton
His Angels contract was massive and optimistic. His on-field production was neither.
8. Yoenis Céspedes
He had a cannon arm, major power, and serious swagger—until the Mets paid him. Then came wild boar injuries and mysterious disappearances.
7. Barry Zito
Zito’s curveball was nasty in Oakland, but the Giants paid for past glory. What they got was a bloated ERA and a lot of awkward starts.
6. Chris Davis
He went from leading the league in homers to forgetting how to hit entirely. Orioles fans still have nightmares about that contract.
5. Anthony Rendon
He cashed in after a World Series run and then promptly forgot how to stay on the field. His Angels tenure has been one long IL stint.
4. Albert Pujols (Angels version)
The Cardinals legend got a mega-deal in Anaheim but never matched his St. Louis dominance. He was fine, not $240 million fine.
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3. Jason Heyward
Heyward’s glove was never the issue, but his bat sure was. Cubs fans love the World Series speech, but that contract aged poorly.
Read More: 17 MLB Teams That Handed Out Massive Contracts and Instantly Regretted It
2. Robinson Canó
Canó took the money and ran—to Seattle, where his production dipped. He later got suspended for PEDs and bounced around like a journeyman.
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1. Alex Rodriguez (Rangers contract)
A-Rod was great, but that Texas deal was absurd. It didn’t lead to wins, and he was traded halfway through—so much for the investment.
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