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BtB's Readers' Worst Contracts Project

Tim Dierkes obviously hit a nerve with his post about the 45 worst contracts in MLB.  In BtB's quest to tackle mainstream topics from a saber point of view, I'd like to create a similar list, with BtB readers determining the 25 worst contracts.  Here's how I see the process working:

  1. You suggest the worst contracts in the comments of this post.  Feel free to add commentary to persuade others.
  2. You Recommend comments to "second" the nominations you agree with.
  3. Assuming we get enough nominations, I'll take the top fifty by rec's and create a poll where you can pick your top ten.  That should yield a good overall ranking.

I'm open to methodology suggestion, so throw them in the comments.

So, which players are signed to the worst contracts in MLB?

Update (five minutes after posting):  To make things easier, let's use only current MLB contracts, name one contract per comment, and list the contract's value, length, and any other relevant information.  Thanks.

1 recs  |  Comment 330 comments |

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8 recs?

probably 6 are from Giants fans…

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.

by baetown415 on Mar 4, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh yeah

But not everyone gets reminded of it everyday…

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.

by baetown415 on Mar 4, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

eric byrnes.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions  

2/$36.2M, 2008-2009.

currently being paid the remainder of the $21M+ left to play for frisco or something.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Let's see (with very rough dollar values)

Kyle Loshe 4/41
Carlos Silva 4/48
Kenji Johjima 3/24
Jarrod Washburn 9/36
Joel Pineiro 2/14
Mike Hamption 7/100
Chan Ho Park 7/100
Barry Zito 7/110
Francisco Cordero 4/48
Juan Pierre 5/50
GMJ 5/50
Carlos Lee 7/100
Raul Ibanez 3/30, loss of 1st pick
Alfonso Soriano 8/110
Matt Morris 4/32
Dimirti Young (2/whatever)
Adam Eaton 3/25

by JI on Mar 4, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

kind of need to make individual posts for each to make this work.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions  

that seems like you didn't actually read the post.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Each name gets posted once in a comment. Then "rec" those you agree with.

And how about we all just give each other a bit more benefit of the doubt around here? Thanks.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions  

and we should probably stick with current contracts

so hampton, park, morris (did i miss any?) are out.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, current contracts.

Should Andruw’s count? Can it count twice?

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions  

it's still being paid.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions  

scott linebrink.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions  

4/$19M, 2008-2011, NTC to boot.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

5/$60M, 2006-2010

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

This contract is underrated as trainwrecks go. He had one good season, one mediocre season, one bad season … and there’s still two seasons left.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions  

4yrs/42M

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by Jack Moore on Mar 4, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Surprised I’m the first person to rec this one.

"OBP is not a production number, and should not be used as something he achieved."

by VictorW on Mar 4, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions  

What was his first year of free agency?

Because they’re not exactly paying him big bucks in 2008, 2009, or, to a lesser extent 2010:

08:$0.5M, 09:$1.5M, 10:$12.5M, 11:$23M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$21M

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions  

$126M over 7 years. He basically got Beltran money.

$25.5M signing bonus (paid in 3 $8.5M installments, March 1 2008-10)

Which makes it:

08:$9M, 09:$10M, 10:$21M, 11:$23M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$21M

Gees the back end of that is $107M over 5 years that hasn’t even kicked in yet. This is gonna be ugly.

"OBP is not a production number, and should not be used as something he achieved."

by VictorW on Mar 4, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

# 3 year/$36M (2008-10)

    * signed by Kansas City as a free agent 12/5/07
    * 08:$12M, 09:$12M, 10:$12M
    * award bonuses: $50,000 each for All Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, LCS MVP, $0.1M each for WS MVP, MVP ($50,000 for 2nd-5th)
    * perks: suite on road

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Mar 4, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think it's that bad

but the suites push it over the top

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 4, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions  

8/$136M, 2007-2014

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll second that one

not because of the last two years but because of 2010-2014 of $18m a year

by thoran85 on Mar 4, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions  

the cubs have a whole slew of backloaded salaries, most going on far too long.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions  

$111.125 already committed for 2010 for 8 players

Zambrano 17.875 SP
Soriano 18 OF
Ramirez 15.75 3B
Lee 13 1B
Dempster 12.5 SP
Lilly 12 SP
Fukudome 13 OF
Bradley 9 OF

So, no SS, 2B, C , or a single relief pitcher for over $111m next year. Have fun Cubs!

by thoran85 on Mar 4, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Dunno about middle infield, but they have a damn good C for $400K

Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"

by PaulThomas on Mar 6, 2009 3:09 AM EST up reply actions  

or the houston astros?

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions  

wow

for a second there I wondered why on earth I was being dragged into the conversation.

I’m a big Brewers fan, but I’m not exactly the face of the franchise :).

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Mar 4, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions  

does erik really not like josh vitters?

should be an interesting read.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions  

He uses the same methodology as the AL West thread from yesterday morning.

Basedon Baseball America and John Sickels’ ratings and Victor Wang’s work.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions  

okay. definitely will be interested to see how it's possible.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, me too

Your farm system sucks, apparently.

The artist formerly known as jihad.

by Jordan M on Mar 4, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions  

curious what people think of todd helton's.

been good so far but the last three years could get real ugly (like last year and 2006 were).

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

sure, but how much of that is going to get sucked back in the next three years?

just wondering for discussion purposes. injuries, clear decline in skills…rockies on the hook for $57 million over the next three years (including the buyout of 2012). contract was worth $141M for 2003-2011 (not including the buyout, i think).

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Not saying its a good deal

but I don’t think it’s the worst contract in baseball.

by Brendan Scolari on Mar 4, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions  

i think we all know who holds that title.

i think the question is, do you think it’s one of the worst 25?

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions  

I think what all future GMs/owners should realize from the Helton contract

is that even a young ultrastud shouldn’t be signed to such a long contract as a Jeter, Wells, Helton. But will we be looking down the road and saying how awful the Teixiera contract was? Because I’m not convinced Teixiera will provide more for the dollars he sucks down than Helton has and will, even if you include inflation. Of course, if Helton plays 50 games each of the next three years, it would be different, but I have faith.

by Daniel Berlyn on Mar 4, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s pretty bad.

I think the only way to measure these is in real dollars wasted, i.e., either totally wasted (injuries) or based on underperformance.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions  

I've updated this thread with some important details:
Update (five minutes after posting): To make things easier, let’s use only current MLB contracts, name one contract per comment, and list the contract’s value, length, and any other relevant information. Thanks.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions  

In case you don't read quotes

List the players’ contract details, please. It’ll be helpful for others.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll Second that

2008 WAR: 2.3
2008 Salary: 16m

.14375WAR/ $Million

by thoran85 on Mar 4, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

SBN really needs to add a feature to put negative recs onto comments.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions  

we can't see it, though.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Plus

I don’t want to flag it since it’s not inappropriate, I just want it either hidden if enough users neg it or have it show -12 recs and make the comment red.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Hard to tell

Especially considering you’re a Red Sox fan and seem to have a real issue with big name players and steroids.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm not anti-Rodriguez, I'm anti-MFY and cheaters.

And all players who use steroids should be suspended for a full season, not just the big guys. And if they won a ring while cheating, take away their ring, but not the team’s.

by bdalebs on Mar 4, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions  

That's a little too AOL for me, but I see the use here.

Flags are more for inappropriate content.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Jorge Posada, perhaps?

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 4, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

I wish I could rec more than once

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 4, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Scary thought

How many players in this thread were pursued or signed by the Giants?

Zito
Pierre
GMJ
Carlos Lee

Rowand hasn’t been mentioned yet, but there’s a decent chance he will. I might have missed some, not sure.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m pretty sure Sabean went on a meth-bender before the 2007 season.

by xanthan on Mar 4, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Before the 07 season?

Are we sure that he isn’t constantly doing this?

by bdalebs on Mar 4, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions  

He’s done pretty solid work over the last year. Each day the “Magowan was driving the crazy train” believers gain more credibility.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions  

What?

That makes no sense and has nothing to do with what Sabean has done over the last year.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions  

he's gotta get some kudos for their young talent / farm system.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Not in the last year, and no, he didn’t really draft him anyways. The GM might give direction in the draft, especially in the first couple rounds, but ultimately the scouting director is in charge of the draft.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions  

I meant he was getting more cred overall.

Hindsight. And he probably had to approve the #10 pick being used on a pitcher with mechanics that were thought to be incredibly dangerous.

by bdalebs on Mar 4, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I would imagine, in general, that GMs do have to sign off on the first pick. However, I would be hesitant to give him credit for picking Lincecum.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Holy shit

You and larry are arguing retarded semantics here.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions  

True.

I give him credit, you don’t. Not sure he cares too much about either of our opinions though.

by bdalebs on Mar 4, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I gave him credit

Just no where near as much as the scouting director (and the rest of the scouting staff).

The GM might give direction in the draft, especially in the first couple rounds, but ultimately the scouting director is in charge of the draft.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions  

be sure to apply that same reasoning to player signings.

it’s not sabean’s fault he signed barry zito. it’s barry zito’s fault that he sucks. he’s in charge of pitching the games.

identifying talent in front office personnel is important, just like it is in identifying major league player talent.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions  

No shit

He gets credit for putting someone capable in that position. The person he puts there gets credit for the good decisions they make.

This is such a stupid point you’re arguing.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions  

settle down there, slugger.

me having a different viewpoint than you doesn’t make that stupid or retarded.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey

We had this same exact argument on another post.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions  

and who hired the scouting director?

having deja vu here.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions  

That too.

That could have been the prez or owner though. Not to familiar with how the business management part of baseball works – above player contracts, that is.

by bdalebs on Mar 4, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions  

pretty sure sabean has control of his front office personnel.

i doubt anyone would stay in the job as long as he has if he didn’t.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, that’s fine. It doesn’t mean Sabean deserves credit for the pick.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions  

but if he hired the wrong guy who fucked up with pick, whose fault would that be?

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions  

The guy who made the pick would get most of the blame, assuming the GM did his due diligence in hiring him to his position.

Look GMs get way too much credit for drafts and farm systems, that’s the main take away here.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions  

okay. but do you know how sabean operates?

i actually don’t. i know the GM for my team actually goes out and personally scouts the top potential picks (at least since he figured out that the guys he had hired prior to 2007 to do the job were fucking it up royally). i’m sure these players get identified by his employees. but i have to give credit to kenny williams for picking poreda and beckham in the last couple drafts (and re-vamping the philosophy). and i also have to give him demerits for letting someone tell him picking lance broadway and kyle mcculloch was a good idea. and not investing in latin american talent, like sabean/giants have.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions  

If Sabean doesn't get credit for Lincecum, or any other prospects,

then you can’t fault him for the Zito contract, either, because that was probably the owner’s fault, then. You can’t play it both ways.

by Daniel Berlyn on Mar 4, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Zito may very well have been because of Magowan, there are plenty of people who believe that, but you’re missing who has primary responsibility in the different facets of running a team. The GM is typically the primary decision maker on FA decisions and not on the draft.

Is this only difficult for White Sox fans to understand since Kenny recently started dictating the draft (at least the beginning)? That isn’t the norm.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions  

which GMs don't do that?

apparently sabean. seems to me that the norm is having the GMs heaviliy involved in the draft, especially early.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 8:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Everything I can remember reading on the subject emphasizes that the GM is typically much less responsible for the draft than another person in the organization (scouting director, etc.).

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Just to add to my explanation:

Going into the 2007 season, Carpenter had a contract for $7M with a team option for 2008 for $8M. They willingly threw that out to sign him to the above deal, increasing his 2007 and 2008 salary in the process to $8.5M and $10.5M. Stupid idea with a pitcher, in my mind.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 4, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, it’s even weirder when you consider that they knew Carpenter had an injury history. His torn labrum from his time with Toronto is the whole reason that landed him in the first place. I would have exercised each of his options before even thinking about another deal.

by xanthan on Mar 4, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Are we gong for sheer $ amount of overpay

a la Tango’s real estate analogies, or percentage of overpay.

Because Kyle Farnsworth’s is pretty horrible, if not that big.
(TWSS)

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 4, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions  

I agree.

Feel free to lobby for an interpretation, though.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I like go for the franchise crippling deals, myself. Farns is a bad sign, but it’s not going to cripple the Royals.

by xanthan on Mar 4, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions  

true.

The Dayton Moore contract might need to be added to the list, though.

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 4, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions  

He plays in MinuteMaid

Hell, Craig Biggio jacked 20 homers with that short left field porch when he was in his late 30’s. I could easily see Carlos padding his stats there and just barely being worth the contract.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions  

But he may come back as a starter!

SARCASM ALERT

Younger writers, more attuned to the use of the Internet than their older colleagues, may not have a problem with the disappearance of the books. But in past years they didn’t have the Internet as an alternative reference site. They apparently just didn’t feel the need for any information the books provided.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 5, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Damaso Marte

kind of a weird pick maybe, but 3 comparable lefties are struggling to get a guaranteed contract

by viktor06 on Mar 4, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions  

the NY-JQ war opens up another front

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by Matt Klaassen on Mar 4, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Billy Beane and Theo Epstein?

I keed….

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.

by baetown415 on Mar 4, 2009 4:31 PM EST reply actions  

J.D. Drew - 5/70, '07-'11

Guy cant even stay healthy

5 years/$70M (2007-11)

    * signed by Boston as a free agent 1/07
    * 07:$14M, 08:$14M, 09:$14M, 10:$14M, 11:$14M
    * limited no-trade clause allowing Drew to block deals to 2 clubs
    * $9M of 2011 salary will be deferred at 1% interest unless Drew plays 500 games from 2007 to 2010 or 375 games from 2008 to 2010
    * Boston may opt out of either of final 2 seasons if Drew:
          o spends 35 days on the disabled list in either 2009 or 2010 with injury related to pre-existing right shoulder condition, or
          o finishes 2009 or 2010 season on the disabled list and cannot play outfield the following season
    * award bonuses: $0.2M for MVP ($0.125M for placing 2nd, $0.1M for 3rd, $75,000 for 4th, $50,000 for 5th), $0.1M each for Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or WS MVP, $75,000 for LCS MVP, $50,000 for All Star selection

-Zach Sanders
MLB Notebook.com

by mlbnotebook on Mar 4, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions  

He has been worth it so far

And the Red Sox can afford to overpay for there wins.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions  

It's not good, but...

4.0 WAR in 2008
1.3 WAR in 2007 (bad)

Previous seasons leading into the signing: 8.3, 3.0, 4.2

When it was signed, FA market was about $4MM per marginal win.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions  

interesting opt-outs in that contract.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Hadn't noticed those.
  1. Boston may opt out of either of final 2 seasons if Drew:

    * spends 35 days on the disabled list in either 2009 or 2010 with injury related to pre-existing right shoulder condition, or
    * finishes 2009 or 2010 season on the disabled list and cannot play outfield the following season

They let Boston out of complete collapses, but likely won’t be triggered.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Well, Carlos Lee was better over the last two years, and he was included.

The salaries aren’t far off, unless you think the length will really kill the Stros.

by Daniel Berlyn on Mar 4, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Lee's WAR from Fangraphs

2008: 3.4
2007: 3.1

He’s got the edge post contract so far, 6.5 to 5.3.

Three years leading up to contract:
4.8
1.6
2.5

Edge to Drew here, although some might argue all we care about is actual production.

And yes, two extra years at $17MM seems like a big waste of money.

Just throwing out the data…

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions  

8.3!!!

How was that trade for the Cards? They got 6 years Waino and Marquis and King, but I bet if they had Drew they would have won the WS.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Aw man, come on

You already celebrated a WS ring in your life time :-(

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.

by baetown415 on Mar 4, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Don't feel bad

You have Tim Lincecum

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Tim Dierkes

I don’t know what he makes, but I know it’s too much.

-Zach Sanders
MLB Notebook.com

by mlbnotebook on Mar 4, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions  

We're really not commenting on Tim, here.

People love baseball rumors and he finds them and posts them in one spot. Seems pretty brilliant, if not especially difficult (in a brainpower way, not an effort way). It’s ridiculously popular, so if you think it’s a bad project, you’re more commenting on his readers, not him.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 4, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions  

he's just jealous his blog doesn't make money.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Indeed

I would love to have that be my day job. He does good work, and I appreciate all he does. Just throwing a playful jab at him.

-Zach Sanders
MLB Notebook.com

by mlbnotebook on Mar 4, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions  

you're not wrong.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 4, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Should get extra credit, because the first two years weren’t even free agent seasons.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions  

YES

Why would I watch Transformers when I can play with them at my house?

by .Taylor on Mar 4, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Joe Morgan

$1 would be too much. I have literally turned on the radio and muted the TV when watching the Yankees play on ESPN. Joe might be switched from SNB (thank god), but might be given WNB instead.

by yankee13man on Mar 4, 2009 6:22 PM EST reply actions  

Someone should put up a website

devoted to just how horrible he is

Younger writers, more attuned to the use of the Internet than their older colleagues, may not have a problem with the disappearance of the books. But in past years they didn’t have the Internet as an alternative reference site. They apparently just didn’t feel the need for any information the books provided.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 5, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Where have you been?

firejoemorgan.com

Confusion breeds success. If they don't know each other, opponents can't have strategy. GENIUS.

by Ozzie Montana on Mar 5, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll take that action

Confusion breeds success. If they don't know each other, opponents can't have strategy. GENIUS.

by Ozzie Montana on Mar 6, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions  

You are correct sir

Younger writers, more attuned to the use of the Internet than their older colleagues, may not have a problem with the disappearance of the books. But in past years they didn’t have the Internet as an alternative reference site. They apparently just didn’t feel the need for any information the books provided.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 6, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions  

OR

Bonds during his entire career? ZOMG GUYZ, HE NEVER BROUGHT A CHAMPIONSHIP TO ANY OF HIS TEAMS!!!

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.

by baetown415 on Mar 4, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions  

i know your joking

but minus 1000000000 gajillion points….most underpaid player ever. besides mark ellis.

"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."

by DyeLongJustice on Mar 4, 2009 8:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Pujols

He signed a 7 year 100 million dollar contract in 2004. At his current pace, he will have more than doubled the value of that contract after it expires. Yeah, I was joking.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions  

But he won 18 games last year

And he had a really good ERA.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions  

He nibbles.

Not many hittable pitches leave his hand.

by bdalebs on Mar 5, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions  

The way he pitches works against a batter when they make contact.

So when they hit the ball, very rarely is it going to be solid contact. Of course, it also means he walks guys like crazy, and can be REALLY annoying. If he doesn’t lower the walks, he’s gonna get in more trouble runs-wise.

by bdalebs on Mar 5, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Roy Halladay is severly underpaid.

And will make more (annually) than CC when he becomes a FA.

by bdalebs on Mar 5, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Sure. But Matsuzaka is severely overpaid.

He’s a good enough pitcher, but he hasn’t been that high above average (according to tRA) in his first two years. I’m not questioning his talent, but he makes too much money.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 5, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s just not that bad of a deal. It’s not good, but it’s not that bad.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Richie Sexson ('05-'08, so technically not valid)

I guess it doesn’t count since his contract ended in 2008, but that’s not too far in the past…
4/$50 was looking pretty ugly at the end there.

by Sliderule on Mar 4, 2009 7:39 PM EST reply actions  

From Cot's:
  1. 2 year/$9.25M (2009-10), plus 2011 club option

    * signed by Kansas City as a free agent 12/11/08
    * 09:$4.25M, 10:$4.5M, 11:$5.25M club option ($0.5M buyout)
    * may earn additional $0.75M annually in performance bonuses

by Sliderule on Mar 5, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions  

to be fair

this contract wasn’t that horriblly concieved. Ryan is a good pitcher when healthy.

by RollingWave on Mar 5, 2009 1:35 AM EST up reply actions  

Mike Lowell $37.5M over 3 years

"OBP is not a production number, and should not be used as something he achieved."

by VictorW on Mar 4, 2009 8:05 PM EST reply actions  

oh yeah, good one.

by Sliderule on Mar 4, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions  

10 years/$189M (2001-10)
10 years/$189M (2001-10)
signed extension with Yankees 2/01 (avoided arbitration, $18.5M-$14.25M)
$16M signing bonus (paid in 16 $1M installments 1/30 & 6/30, 2001-08)
01:$11M, 02:$13M, 03:$14M, 04:$17M, 05:$18M, 06:$19M, 07-09:$20M/year, 10:$21M
no-trade clause
1 year/$10M (2000)
re-signed by Yankees 2/00 (avoided arbitration, $10.5M-$9.5M)
replaced tentative deal for 7 years/$118.5M (2000-06)
1 year/$5M (1999)
won arbitration with Yankees 2/99 ($5M-$3.2M)
1 year/$0.75M (1998)
renewed by Yankees 3/98
1 year/$0.55M (1997)
renewed by Yankees 3/97 (later given more than minimum renewal)
1 year/$0.13M (1996)
drafted 1992 (1-6)
$0.8M signing bonus (Kalamazoo Central High, Mich.)
agent: Casey Close
ML service: 13.043

by Markakis and Wieters 4 Life on Mar 4, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions  

Not with the opt-out. That’s just insane.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, that's 21M wasted

Played 174 games, OPS+ 106,62
Violated Substance Policy
Tooled around in the IL, VWL
Still getting paid.

Not of the magnitude of the others, but still crappy.

Younger writers, more attuned to the use of the Internet than their older colleagues, may not have a problem with the disappearance of the books. But in past years they didn’t have the Internet as an alternative reference site. They apparently just didn’t feel the need for any information the books provided.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 4, 2009 10:13 PM EST reply actions  

C.C. Sabathia

This is a totally serious suggestion. His contract calls for $161 million over a seven-year stretch in which PECOTA projects him to be worth only $76 million. That’s $85 million in dead money. You could not trade that contract without throwing in, minimally, $50 million.

There may be a case for A-Rod as well, but not as good of a case.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:10 PM EST reply actions  

Don’t be silly, of course it’s bad. If it’s not bad, then how come no other team was willing to come within $100 million of it?

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Because no other team could afford it

A-Rod will be worth his contract by the time it is up. He is one of the best players of all time.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Your abject certainty really makes me realize how right you are.

The fact that he’s one of the best players of all time — and I agree that is a fact — doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible to overpay him.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry

I should have used real data. A-Rod was worth 6.2 WAR and around 29 million dollars last year. That came in a down year offensively and he missed some time. With inflation, If A-Rod can manage around 5 WAR for the rest of the contract, than he will have been worth it.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 4, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Giving superstars more than market value isn't overpaying.

A-Rod’s contract has paid him close to market value each year since signing it. It’s a huge amount of money, but he’s worth it.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 5, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions  

the marginal value

is something your missing, a guy twice as good as a average player isn’t just worth twice as much. because you might only have 1-2 such player, so in practice, he’s more like worth 10-20 times as much.

by RollingWave on Mar 5, 2009 1:38 AM EST up reply actions  

Adrian Beltre!

I kid, I kid.

Is that the light at the end of the tunnel, or the headlights of an oncoming train?

by Benne on Mar 4, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions  

Nick Punto

2 years/$8.5M (2009-10), plus 2011 club option

The low-hanging fruit seems to be gone, but thought this deserved a mention.

by Sliderule on Mar 5, 2009 12:34 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

Miguel Batista

3 years/$25M (2007-09), and somewhere between 5-20 games blown in the 8th or 9th inning for the Mariners, depending on how long he’s their “closer.”

by Sliderule on Mar 5, 2009 12:41 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

Angel Berroa

4 years/$11M (2005-08), plus 2009 club option

signed extension with Kansas City 5/04
05:$0.5M, 06:$2M, 07:$3.25M, 08:$4.75M, 09:$5.5M club option ($0.5M buyout)
performance bonuses: $0.1M each for 600 PAs & 700 PAs in 2007, $75,000 each for 600 PAs & 700 PAs in 2006
award bonuses: $0.1M each for MVP & WS MVP, $50,000 each for All Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger
DFA by Kansas City 6/6/07, sent outright to AAA
acquired by LA Dodgers in trade from KC 6/6/08 (KC responsible for all of 2008 salary and 2009 buyout)
contract purchased by LA Dodgers 6/7/08
LA Dodgers declined $5.5M 2009 option 10/20/08
non-tendered by LA Dodgers 12/12/08

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
I know that the time has passed and the # wasn’t that ridiculas. but signing came after the 04 season where he was a -13 WRAA player and only 2 year of service with all the red flags flying over the sky above him. it was truely a horrendous judgement that turned out even worse than predicted.

by RollingWave on Mar 5, 2009 1:45 AM EST reply actions  

I actually agree completely, and I thoought about posting it myself.

Although a better way of doing it might be to tally up all of the similar signings Moore has made over the past year or two.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 5, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions  

He also got released by the Giants today. In ~2 years, he added -.2 wins to the roster and got paid $18M for it. Ouch.

by xanthan on Mar 5, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Kevin Millwood

5 years/$60M (2006-10)
$15M signing bonus (payable 2011-2015)

06:$6M, 07:$7.5M, 08:$8.5M, 09:$11M, 10:$12M
limited no-trade clause
club may void deal after 2009 unless Millwood has:
combined total of 540 IP 2007-09, or
combined total of 350 IP 2008-09, or
180 IP in 2009

club may elect to keep Millwood even if he fails to hit IP totals
deferred money allows Texas to compute annual average salary at $10.8M

by lenred on Mar 5, 2009 5:03 PM EST reply actions  

you're going to have to explain this one.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 5, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions  

His FIPs have been good

It’s Texas’ fault that there defense sucks so much.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 5, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions  

he turned one good season with the Indians into a contract that pays him as an above average pitcher when he’s really not that good.

by lenred on Mar 6, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Vincente Padilla

3 years/$33.75M (2007-09), plus 2010 club option

re-signed by Texas as a free agent 12/06
07:$9M, 08:$11M, 09:$12M, 10:$12M club option ($1.75M buyout)
$1M of 2007 & $0.5M of 2008 salary is advanced

by lenred on Mar 5, 2009 5:06 PM EST reply actions  

Jack Wilson

3 years/$20.2M (2007-09), plus 2010 club option

signed extension with Pittsburgh 2/06
$0.6M signing bonus
07:$5.25M, 08:$6.5M, 09:$7.25M, 10:$8.4M club option ($0.6M buyout)
limited no-trade clause 2007-09, allowing Wilson to block deals to 6 clubs each season (no such no-trade protection in 2006)
may earn $0.3M in performance bonuses

by lenred on Mar 5, 2009 5:06 PM EST reply actions  

Nope, I disagree with this one.

Wilson’s a shortstop with an above average glove and bad, but not completely awful, bat. Let’s assume 80% playing time:

+7.5 SS
+5 field
-15 bat
+22.5 rep
= 20 RAR
x 80% = 16 RAR or 1.6 WAR. At $4.5MM per win, that’s $7.5MM. And he’s earning slightly less. Sounds like the going rate to me, unless my estimate of his skills is off.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 5, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh sure

When you use numbers it is worth it, but who the hell values players like that?

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 5, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions  

People who hate freedom.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Mar 5, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions  

People who hate America…. and the Giants

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.

by baetown415 on Mar 5, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions  

feel free to disagree, I still think it’s one of the worst.

Fielding metrics are still in their infancy (relatively-speaking), so I don’t entirely trust them. Considering his bat is so horrendous, he would have to be Gold Glove caliber every single year to justify that deal.

by lenred on Mar 6, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Nope, just +5, as I showed.

That’s the (ok, one of the) glory of WAR, actually. You don’t have to trust UZR or any fielding metric. Just plug in your opinion if you like.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 6, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Hideki Matsui

May be unfair because of injuries.

  1. 4 years/$52M (2006-09)

    * signed extension with Yankees 11/05
    * 06:$13M, 07:$13M, 08:$13M, 09:$13M
    * full no-trade clause

by math_geek on Mar 5, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions  

Chan. Ho. Park

5 years/$65M (2002-06)

acquired in trade 7/05, with Texas paying $2M of 2006 salary
02:$11M, 03:$12M, 04:$13M, 05:$14M, 06:$15M
$6M bonus or $5M buyout ($1.25M/year for 4 years) after 2002
signed as a free agent 12/01

I’ll reiterate. Chan Ho Park. 5 years. $65,000,000. 100,837,730,500 South-Korean Won

by lenred on Mar 5, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

sorry. regardless, it was still a horrible contract.

by lenred on Mar 6, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Gary Sheffield

2 years/$28M (2008-09)

    * agreed to 2- year extension with Detroit as part of trade from NY Yankees 11/06
    * 07:$13M, 08:$14M, 09:$14M
    * $12.5M deferred at 3% interest ($4.5M in 07, $4M in 08, $4M in 09)
    * limited no-trade clause (may block deals to 10 clubs each season)
    * award bonuses: $0.1M for MVP ($0.1M for placing 2nd, $50,000 for 3rd-5th), $0.1M for WS MVP, $75,000 for LCS MVP, $50,000 for All Star ($25,000 selection), $25,000 each for Gold Glove or Silver Slugger

by math_geek on Mar 5, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

One thing to think about, not that we're really going to clear it up.

Are people thinking of these as “worst contract when viewed at time of signing”, “worst contract based on all information we have, including performance in first year or two of contract”, or “worst contract from this point onward, ignoring previous performance”?

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 5, 2009 5:30 PM EST reply actions  

I think we're just making it up as we go along

I mean, when the Giants signed Barry Zito, did we all believe it was the worst contract in baseball?
Some contracts however (Danys Baez, Raul Ibanez come to mind) were awful as soon as they were signed.

But the problem is, if a player signs a contract he will in expectation live up to, and then gets injured and crashes and burns, is it really a bad contract? Or did the team that signed him just realize the low end of a good bet?

by math_geek on Mar 5, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Uh, I think we were all on board with the Zito contract right away, no?

Right, good questions in your last paragraph. “worst contract” has a few different meanings.

I wasn’t saying we need to agree on what it means, I was just curious what definition others were using.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 5, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions  

worst contract based upon all information.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 5, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions  

I would make an exception for unforseen injuries.

A previously productive player without an extensive injury history is a different ball of wax.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 5, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions  

that would be part of "all information"

feel free to weight all the information however you want.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 5, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Ok, let's wrap this up by the end of today.

I’d encourage everyone to make one last pass through the list and rec any later additions.

I’ll aim to have the poll up and running on Monday.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 6, 2009 11:15 AM EST reply actions  

How are you guys intending to value catcher defense? And how will you deal with the year-to-year unreliability of fielding statistics? And aside from the wisdom of crowds idea, is there any accounting for off-the-field stuff here? And, why not just scrap this entire plan and create a formula for this list? (Last question probably comes off as some anti-stat swipe but I am seriously asking it, not trying to be a jerk).

by Tim Dierkes on Mar 6, 2009 11:17 AM EST reply actions  

This does not really strike me as tackling this topic from a saber point of view. I mean, if you’re confident in your valuations you can just compare that to what the player earned and that’s that. If you’re not confident in your valuations, isn’t this just another subjective list?

by Tim Dierkes on Mar 6, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions  

of course.

everything needs to have a subjective element to it. we can’t just look at stats and say that’s it. obvious example: two players at the same position sign for the same contract at the same time: 3/$30MM. difference between the players is that one is projected over that contract to produce 8 WAR, while the other will produce just 4 WAR. however, player one, who had no past injury history, blows out his knee in the first year of the contract and in the second year suffers another season ending injury on a collision at the plate and only produces 2.5 WAR over the course of his contract. player two does exactly what was expected of him.

which is the worst contract? at the time of signing, player two’s looked worse than player one’s. however, with hindsight, two freak injuries make player one’s look worse because he didn’t exceed the value player two achieved.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 6, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions  

It's from the saber point of view in that most readers of this site are saber-slanted.

It’s completely and utterly (well, maybe only 90%) subjective, yes. It’s the thoughts of a bunch of saber-slanted people. I don’t expect the results to be any more convincing that your list, Tim. Just giving our readers an outlet for discussion.

I would like to create a list with a solidly objective methodology. Takes some time, though, and I’d ideally like to wait until Cots releases their information in a spreadsheet.

Did I address all your questions?

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 6, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions  

If I took my list, pared it to 25, and crowdsourced it to correct a handful of stupid decisions I made, we’d probably have the same list. Without me running it by saber-slanted people. But, I can see why this would just be fun for btb readers.

As someone who only reads btb occasionally, though, I’d love to see that latter list. Maybe I’m wrong but that’s the type of thing I look for from you guys: what I can’t do myself and can’t find on a non-saber site. If there is a formula that cranks out a worst contracts list, it will have some bad choices on it, and will point to flaws in the valuation that someone can try to correct.

Kind of like BP before they hired Kevin Goldstein – they cranked out a stat-based top prospect list. It had its issues, but the idea was novel. Would’ve loved to see that list refined year after year. Post-Goldstein, their list is better, but not unique from BA or Keith Law in its methodology.

by Tim Dierkes on Mar 6, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions  

You're right -- that's what we do around here. And we'll do it.

I probably can’t do it exactly how I’d like, but can probably get 75% of the way there.

One thing we’ve focused on in the recent past is building a community and not just making BtB a one-way street that’s all about the authors. Hence, this post, which has more comments than any I can remember.

Does BPro not do a PECOTA-based prospect list anymore? Should be easy for them to spit out.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 6, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions  

Makes sense. Not sure if BP does the PECOTA list, perhaps they do and it’s just overshadowed by Goldstein’s.

by Tim Dierkes on Mar 6, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions  

doesn't come out yet.

southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.

by larry on Mar 6, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions  

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SEATTLE - JULY 08:  Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees hits an RBI single in the ninth inning to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on July 8 2010 in Seattle Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) +16 updates

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Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez is congratulated by teammates after his walk-off home run against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Coors Field in Denver, Colo. on Saturday, July 31, 2010.  (AP Photo/ Matt McClain)

Carlos Gonzalez Completes Cycle With Walk-Off Homer; Rockies Beat Cubs, 6-5

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