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Best and Worst contracts from MLB Winter Meetings

By Charles Rahrig V

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Oct 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Ryan Madson throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the 7th inning in game three of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Ryan Madson throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the 7th inning in game three of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Worst: Ryan Madson

When a team wins a World Series, there is a great chance that their free agents are going to be a hot commodity. That was the case when the Kansas City Royals‘ Ryan Madson signed a deal with the Oakland Athletics for three years and $22 million.

While that is a decently high contract for a reliever and it’s not necessarily a bad deal, it doesn’t make sense for a team like Oakland. When a team like Oakland is on the rebuild, it’s almost a waste of money to sign top-flight relievers if they’re not going to be in contention.

The Athletics were on the rebuild in 2015, and with plenty of young players, they finished near the bottom of the standings in Major League Baseball.

In 2016, their likely to follow the same route as they try to let their young players develop and get at-bats and innings in. While it’s good to add veteran pieces around them, a guy like Madson doesn’t make sense when there are cheaper reliever options out there.

Those options may not be as good as Madson, but what’s the point if the team isn’t going to be in contention in the first place. Of all the deals in free agency thus far, this one has certainly been one of the more interesting ones. If the Athletics are struggling again this year, maybe they can flip him to a contender at the deadline for some good pieces.

Otherwise the deal doesn’t make much sense.

Next: Best: Starlin Castro

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