Does Ryan Howard have the third-worst contract in baseball?
Grantland's Jonah Keri breaks down the 15 worst contracts in baseball, and Ryan Howard is in the Top 5.
Does Ryan Howard have the third-worst contract in baseball?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I recently received an email from a reader who believes that I criticize Ryan Howard's five-year, $125 million contract too frequently on this blog. While I clearly disagree with the reader, I am sensitive to any perception that I am disproportionately critical about a player. So, naturally, Grantland.com decides that today is a good day to publish Jonah Keri's list of the 15 worst contracts in baseball, a list that ranks Howard's deal as the third worst in baseball, trailing only Alex Rodriguez and Carl Crawford.
Keri's 15:
- Alex Rodriguez
- Carl Crawford
- Ryan Howard
- Jayson Werth
- Vernon Wells
- Barry Zito
- John Lackey
- Juan Uribe
- Brian Roberts
- Johan Santana
- John Danks
- Adam Dunn
- Brandon League
- Adrian Gonzalez
- Albert Pujols
On a positive note, I think I'd rather have Howard's contract on my books than that of Wells or Lackey. And the Phillies aren't the only team who, according to Keri, overpaid for a first baseman. In fact, four of the 15 players on the list are first basemen.
Keri gives Jonathan Papelbon's deal an honorable mention. I'd agree with that designation as well.
What say you?
Comments (84)
Pujols' will be #1 in a few years.— EL Zorro- I look forward to a healthy and productive year from the big guy and maybe you haters will get a chance to see him return to being the best run-producer in baseball, which he is, WHEN HE'S HEALTHY. The man plays through injuries, never complains about playing through those injuries (or anything, for that matter!) and still receives very little love from Phils fans in general. I'd like to see anyone hit 50 bombs on one freakin' leg. Go ahead and call me a fool all you want, but if he's healthy, I expect major production from The Big Piece in 2013.— The Pack Leader
- O.K. .... Fool !! — Copper34
- I can see Crawford contributing at an above replacement level in the future. I can't see Howard ever hitting that level again in the NL.— jtj10
- "overpaid for a first baseball." Paid a dollar plus 4 cents tax on my first baseball but that was back in the day.— Claudio Vernight
- I hear you. My first baseball was losing it's cover and wrapped with black electical tape. — escapedcamden4monterey
- "Keri gives Jonathan Papelbon's deal an honorable mention. I'd agree with that designation as well."
But let me guess, D3avid: the Soriano contract didn't receive honorable mention and you think that THAT contract ($14 million/per) is a good one, correct? Papelbon was one of the best closers in baseball last season, while arguably having the worst set-up corps in all of baseball.— The Pack Leader - Alfonso Soriano was an honorable mention because he was a 4 War player last year and his contract only has 2 years left. Rafael was not mentioned. Despite greater $ and lesser stats than Pap. Reason being only 2 years. and Papa has a fifth year vesting option. Was a good article full version on ESPN MLB. disagree with the order Still feel Howard punished for K's and not given enpough recognition for what he does with men on base, both average and OBP rise dramatically when teams have to play him and pitch him more honestly. — rhcjr2
- I really enjoyed reading Keri's article. There are certainly a lot of bad contracts in MLB, but the bit that really caught my eye was the comment regarding "deals signed more on the basis of past performance than realistic future expectations." That seems to be the hallmark of a poor GM. Anyone can back up a truck of money to a player based on what they have already accomplished. We need a GM who can identify and acquire players who still have their best days ahead of them. I don't believe RAJ is that type of GM, nor will he ever be.— Bear in Forest
- Um, seriously? Phillies won a WS, lost one the next year, 5 division titles and 102 wins, they just missed the playoffs last year while every producer was hurt. What are they supposed to base their contracts on, a crystal ball? So many can't miss #1 prospects and draft choices have never, ever made it to a single major league game. Nobody has produced more homers and rbi's than Howard since he came up. Another one headed comment by a constant hater. "Gee, I think you might be good, here's 20 million" Typical dumb comment — TexasYankee
- Pat Gillick built the team you describe, and which RAJ has run into the ground. Your ignorance about talent evaluation is remarkable. Crystal ball? The fact that many draft picks don't succeed is irrelevant and obvious. Your ignorance has wasted enough of my time, but think about Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth, if you can. They were acquired for a song and helped the Phillies win a WS. No crystal ball and no $20 million. — Bear in Forest
- Let's have this conversation at the other end of the season. By that time all, or at least much, may be forgotten, or, the team may be looking at ways to buy Howard out and move Ruf to first.— JayW
- Agreed, JayW. LOL, the name calling has begun and it's just the first day of pitchers and catchers! Folks calling Howard names, the GM (who could've seen that coming?) and best of all, they're going at each other's throats via these posts!
Myself, I'm looking forward to see what we get after a full year of rehab from the injury. If he comes to camp like an expensive facsimile of PT Bynum, then we have problems. I'm willing to look towards the end of the season to see if any batting adjustments have been made. Will there be a hot September as in years past, where RH carried the team on his back? Soon, we all find out.... - Howard is overpaid, nothing can done about it. He is OK if he can hit 30 HR, drive in 100RBI and hit .250 which is very possible. He's worth about a third of what he's being paid compared to others. But soon Pujols will be in that category and A-Rod has been for years.— Barneyboy
- Difficult to say this but it is very hard to argue with the guy.— Matt from Iowa
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High Cheese is your place for the best Phillies coverage from the Daily News.
David Murphy
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