Twins Dodge List Of Baseball’s Worst Contracts

By Ted Schwerzler |

10 of 12

The Minnesota Twins have and always will be known as a small market ball club. In a league in which there is no salary cap, teams are allowed to spend whatever they can afford to construct the best team possible. With the Yankees and Dodgers having lucrative television deals, their payrolls are often amongst the highest in the major leagues.

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Unfortunately, with high payrolls also comes ugly contracts. To reach plateaus that no other teams touch, you almost certainly have to have signed players for far more than they are worth. Recently, Bill Simmons’ site Grantland took a look at the worst contracts in baseball history.

While it may come as a surprise to many that the Twins and Joe Mauer have avoided this list, it really shouldn’t.

Before we get into why Mauer and the Twins avoided this list, let’s take a look t who made it.

Grantland compiled the 10 worst contracts in baseball history as such…

Sep 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

Justin Verlander

(35) pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

10. SP Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers: five years, $140 million

Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder

Andre Ethier

(16) hits a double in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

9. OF Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers: three years, $56 million

August 22, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder

Josh Hamilton

(32, right) is congratulated by second baseman

Howie Kendrick

(47) for hitting a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

8. OF Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels: three years, $83 million

Aug 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman

Ryan Howard

(6) hits an RBI double against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

7. 1B Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies: two years, $60 million

Oct 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angels first basemen

Albert Pujols

(5) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

6. 1B Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels: seven years, $189 million

May 11, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman

Prince Fielder

(84) follows through for a single against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

5. 1B Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers: six years, $144 million

Aug 17, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder

Shin-Soo Choo

(17) hits during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. OF Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers: six years, $116 million

Sep 15, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder

B.J. Upton

(2) reacts after the final out during their loss to the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. The Nationals won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

3. CF B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves: three years, $46.4 million

Mar 31, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher

Matt Harrison

(54) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

2. SP Matt Harrison, Texas Rangers: three years, $41 million

Sep 14, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees third baseman

Alex Rodriguez

(13) returns to the dugout during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

1. 3B Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: three years, $61 million

Now, looking at what you just saw, if it isn’t yet apparent as to why Mauer doesn’t belong, it should be. In baseball, contracts are very little about the numerical value placed on a player in terms of dollars and cents. More often, contracts act as a comparison mark for one player to another. That is to say, the money doesn’t really matter considering there is no spending limit, but a player is paid based on the comparison to their peers.

For Joe Mauer, the Twins spent more money than they ever have in franchise history. However, Mauer’s contract does not limit the team when looking to spend elsewhere. Although he is not going to hit home runs or drive in runners at the same level as a traditional first basemen, he brings a marketing value that is capitalized most in his home state, and he is still an above average level player.

Can you make the argument in hindsight that the Twins paid Mauer too much? Of course you can. However, at the time of signing, you’d be hard pressed to believe that any other team wouldn’t have paid him more. While Joe Mauer’s contract may not be reflective of his worth in regards to his peers, it’s hardly as ugly as some of the ones mentioned.

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