MLB Power Rankings: The worst contract on every team’s roster
By Tim Boyle
20) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs, Kyle Hendricks
The Dansby Swanson contract has potential to turn into a disaster. The same could be said for Seiya Suzuki. However, the worst Chicago Cubs contract belongs to Kyle Hendricks. Owed $14 million this year with a $1.5 million buyout he’ll likely receive next season, poor health has caught up to Hendricks. It has turned his once-friendly deal into an enemy.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto
It’s kind of amazing to see how the Joey Votto contract has unfolded. For years, the Cincinnati Reds have been paying him a whole lot of money while the team hasn’t achieved all that much. It mercifully comes to a close after one more year of giving him $25 million and a $7 million buyout afterwards. Surely, the Reds knew this is how it would end. It doesn’t make it seem much better.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Oakland Athletics, Aledmys Diaz
There aren’t any big Oakland Athletics contracts on the roster. They did, however, sign Aledmys Diaz to a two-year contract worth $14.5 million this offseason. Will it handicap the franchise? We should applaud the Athletics for spending on any players at all. Diaz, a quality part-time player, just isn’t the one to do it with.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies, Nick Castellanos
There is a chance Philadelphia Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos turns things around. His contract is only one year deep, but if he’s going to play like he did in 2022, the Phillies are in trouble. Castellanos went from hitting 34 home runs and driving in 100 to smacking 13 dingers and driving in 62. Philadelphia has another $80 million owed to him over the next four years. Although they haven’t been afraid to spend in other places, this one may eventually prevent them from making other moves.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners, J.P. Crawford
The J.P. Crawford extension isn’t turning out the way the Seattle Mariners intended. His bat hasn’t improved all that much since coming to Seattle. He’s a good fielder and a bottom of the order bat. The Mariners will have to hope for more because his contract has another $45 million remaining on it over four years.