Top 10 worst contracts in baseball right now

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Top 10 worst contracts in baseball right now

Angel Atienza-Romero · The Big Lead

Mon, May 18, 2026 ·

10 min read

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Baseball contracts are built on projection, optimism, and the belief that a player's best years are still ahead. Every winter, front offices hand out massive deals hoping they're buying championships, franchise stability, and star power that can anchor a roster for years. But in a sport where aging curves can hit fast and injuries never come with warning signs, even the smartest investments can turn into financial nightmares almost overnight. That's what makes conversations about the worst contracts in baseball so fascinating — they're not always about bad players, but rather the gap between production and paycheck.

Sports Illustrated recently ranked the 10 worst contracts in MLB right now, highlighting several stars whose deals have become difficult burdens for their teams. Some players on this list were former MVPs or perennial All-Stars who simply declined earlier than expected. Others are still productive in flashes, but not nearly enough to justify the staggering money left on their contracts. In many cases, the issue isn't just performance — it's durability, defensive decline, roster inflexibility, or how these contracts limit teams from improving elsewhere.

What makes these deals especially painful is the long-term commitment still attached to them. Teams are stuck paying premium superstar money for players producing average or below-average results, and in today's hyper- competitive MLB landscape , that can cripple a franchise's ability to contend. From injury-plagued veterans to aging sluggers and declining infielders, these contracts serve as reminders that baseball's biggest risks often come after the ink dries.

10. Masataka Yoshida — Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox left fielder Masataka Yoshida (7) hits a double in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Total contract: 5 years, $90 million
Remaining: $37.2 million

When the Red Sox signed Masataka Yoshida out of Japan, the expectation was that he would become a high-contact offensive weapon who could seamlessly transition to MLB pitching. Instead, the deal has aged poorly due to limited power production, defensive struggles, and inconsistent availability. Yoshida has shown flashes of being a solid hitter, but not at the level expected from a player earning nearly $20 million annually. The biggest issue is roster fit. Boston has largely been forced to use him as a designated hitter because of his defensive limitations in the outfield, and that dramatically lowers his overall value. For a team trying to stay flexible and competitive in the AL East, paying premium money to a part-time DH has become increasingly difficult to justify.

9. Aaron Nola — Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Total contract: 7 years, $172 million
Remaining: $122.9 million

Aaron Nola was once one of baseball's most dependable frontline starters, but recent seasons have exposed troubling regression signs. His home run issues have intensified, his ERA has ballooned, and the consistency that once defined him has started to disappear. Philadelphia committed ace-level money expecting him to anchor the rotation deep into his 30s, but the early returns have been concerning. The alarming part for the Phillies is how much money and term remain on the deal. Nola is still capable of piling up strikeouts, but declining command and hittable fastballs have hurt him badly against elite lineups. If the downward trend continues, Philadelphia could end up carrying one of the league's most expensive mid-rotation starters through the end of the decade.

8. Javier Báez — Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (28) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Total contract: 6 years, $140 million
Remaining: $48 million

The Tigers envisioned Javier Báez as the fiery superstar who would help change the culture of the franchise. Instead, his tenure in Detroit has been marked by poor plate discipline, declining offensive numbers, and stretches where he looked completely overmatched at the plate. While his defensive instincts and athleticism still occasionally flash, the offensive production simply hasn't matched the contract. Detroit has watched Báez struggle to produce league-average offense year after year despite being one of the highest-paid players on the roster. His aggressive approach has become increasingly exploitable as his bat speed has declined with age. The remaining money is smaller than some contracts on this list, but relative to his production, it still feels like a major overpay.

7. Willy Adames — San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) hits a RBI single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Total contract: 7 years, $182 million
Remaining: $168.9 million

The Giants aggressively pursued Willy Adames hoping he would bring middle-of-the-order power and leadership to San Francisco. However, concerns immediately surfaced about whether his offensive profile would age well, especially in a ballpark that suppresses power. Early struggles have only amplified fears that the contract may become a long-term burden. Adames still offers value defensively and brings energy to the clubhouse, but the offensive inconsistency is difficult to overlook considering the size of the deal. San Francisco is paying him like a franchise cornerstone, yet he hasn't consistently produced at an All-Star level since arriving. With so much money still owed, the Giants are betting heavily that his bat rebounds sooner rather than later.

6. Marcus Semien — New York Mets

New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) hits an RBI double during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Total contract: 7 years, $175 million
Remaining: $78 million

Marcus Semien built his reputation as one of baseball's most durable and complete infielders, but age has started to catch up with him. While he still provides leadership and defensive versatility, his offensive production has dipped noticeably compared to his peak seasons. For a player earning superstar money, merely being "solid" no longer feels sufficient. The Mets expected Semien to remain a stabilizing force atop the lineup, yet inconsistency and declining power numbers have hurt his overall value. Older middle infielders often experience sharp declines, and New York now faces questions about how much production remains in the later years of the deal. Even with flashes of quality play, the contract looks far less team-friendly than it once did.

5. Manny Machado — San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after hitting a one run home run during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park. Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

Total contract: 11 years, $350 million
Remaining: $273.6 million

Manny Machado is still a productive player, which separates him from others on this list, but the concern revolves around the sheer size and length of the contract. San Diego committed enormous money to Machado well into his late 30s, and long-term deals for aging stars almost always come with serious risk. Even small declines become magnified when the annual salary is massive. The Padres are essentially paying for both past greatness and future leadership. Machado remains capable of carrying an offense for stretches, but there are already signs that his elite years may be fading. With nearly $274 million still owed, the margin for error on this contract is incredibly thin.

4. Carlos Correa — Houston Astros

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Fenway Park. Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Total contract: 6 years, $200 million
Remaining: $62 million

Carlos Correa's talent has never really been the question — durability has. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his seasons, and concerns about his long-term health have followed him for years. Houston reunited with Correa hoping he could recapture his superstar form, but availability continues to be a major obstacle. When healthy, Correa can still look like one of baseball's best shortstops, which makes this contract more frustrating than hopeless. However, teams paying $30-plus million annually expect reliability, and recurring injuries make it difficult to build around him consistently. The upside remains high, but so does the financial risk.

3. Rafael Devers — San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) reacts after striking out against the Athletics during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Total contract: 10 years, $315 million
Remaining: $226.5 million

Rafael Devers remains one of the most feared hitters in baseball, but questions surrounding his conditioning, defense, and long-term positional value have become impossible to ignore. Massive contracts for bat-first players can age dangerously if offensive production slips even slightly. That's the gamble attached to this deal. The Giants are paying Devers to be a transformational superstar for the next decade, and that pressure is enormous. While his bat still carries star-level upside, concerns about defensive decline and future flexibility make the contract increasingly risky. If he eventually becomes a full-time DH, the value equation changes dramatically.

2. Anthony Rendon — Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) runs to third base during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Total contract: 7 years, $245 million
Remaining: $38 million

Anthony Rendon has become the textbook example of how quickly a blockbuster contract can unravel. Since signing with the Angels, injuries have completely derailed what was supposed to be a championship-level partnership. Rendon has rarely stayed healthy long enough to make a sustained impact, and the frustration surrounding the deal has only grown over time. At his peak, Rendon was one of baseball's smoothest and most complete hitters, but those days now feel distant. The Angels have spent years waiting for a healthy resurgence that never truly arrived. Even though the remaining money is lower than others on this list, the lack of return on investment makes this contract one of the worst in recent MLB history.

1. Kris Bryant — Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant (23) looks on from the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Total contract: 7 years, $182 million
Remaining: $81 million

Kris Bryant's contract with Colorado has become the gold standard for disastrous MLB deals. The Rockies signed the former MVP hoping he would become the face of the franchise, but injuries and declining production quickly turned the partnership into a nightmare. Bryant has struggled to stay on the field consistently, and when healthy, he has looked far removed from his Cubs-era dominance. What makes the situation even worse is Colorado's overall direction as a franchise. The Rockies committed huge money to a veteran star despite not being close to contention, and the deal now feels completely misaligned with the team's timeline. Bryant's remaining salary, combined with his declining performance, leaves this contract looking almost impossible to justify.

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