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)
@advantasux - vafan is the best at supporting Amaro. His posts are almost always well-reasoned. In fact, I think he might be Rube's agent. You are right, though. To add to your thoughts, it wasn't like Howard gave us any sort of "home-team discount." RAJ gave him the huge, mega-deal that he could have waited two more years to give him. Plus - he did so after the Yankees taught the world how to pitch to Ryan Howard (in the World Series). Even to the fans (like me), there were red flags then. But, this is the same GM who decided to keep Dom Brown when he was trading every other prospect the organization had. Think about it ... the guy is an outfielder who cannot judge a fly ball ... But, he is the one guy RAJ just refused to deal ... Tragic.— Copper34- among all the other mistakes and oversights this GM is guilty of, misjudging Dom Brown as a "five-too guy" whenm in actuality, he's closer to zero tools, is among the most egregious. I have to believe that the hype surrounding that guy would have brought us something of decent worth, but it was Brown whom Amaro elected to stick with, not d'Arnaud, not Singleton, not Cosart, not May, not Vogelsong, not Moss, and eventually, not even Vance Worley.
Only Domonic Brown was worth it to Amaro...imagine how ridiculous that seems now!— advantasux - His contract is one of many reasons that I feel the current GM is the worst in baseball. The contract was not necessary with years remaining on old contract. The GM pays way too much for aging players. Lee was another example of a bad contract. Bad contracts, horrible trades, sripping and not replacing minors with talent will make the Phillies irrelevant very soon. It was a bad contract given by terrible GM.— wmontanez27
- His contract is one of many reasons that I feel the current GM is the worst in baseball. The contract was not necessary with years remaining on old contract. The GM pays way too much for aging players. Lee was another example of a bad contract. Bad contracts, horrible trades, sripping and not replacing minors with talent will make the Phillies irrelevant very soon. It was a bad contract given by terrible GM.— wmontanez27
- Amen Willie. The only error in your post is that the Phillies already are irrelevant. So sad. The saddest part is that a decent GM would have re-tooled and kept the top prospects in the organization. Let's face it - the Pence and Oswalt trades killed us. We knew we needed an OFer before the season started - but Rube did nothing. Then, when the trade deadline came, he mortgaged the future for a guy who can't hit and can't field. The Oswalt trade was made b/c Rube sh-- the bed with Cliff Lee. There was no good reason to deal Lee on the day they got Doc (especially when you look at the slop we received in return). He failed to get value for Victorino, for Pence, for Blanton. Almost every trade and signing over the past two years has been a disaster.— Copper34
- right on the money, top to bottom! — advantasux
- For me, this is the key year for Ryan Howard's contract. If he hit high 30's to low 40 in HR's and has 125 RBI's, then it starts to look like an OK contract. If he is injured half the time, then yes, it will go down as a horrible contract. Papelbon's contract is fine. Would we rather have had Madson for a little less so he could sit be on the DL all year? As bad as things were imagine how bad they would have been if one of the 8th inning guys was a closer? As for Murphy, he is always the smartest guy in the room. Just ask him.— MDefl
- This could be a very good year or a very bad one. There are so many "ifs" in play. The range is anywhere from 70 to 95. I would have to type a book on the number of ifs that have to go right to get to 95. It isn't impossible but it won't be easy either.— MDefl
- Very short-sighted analysis- considers only last year. Was Pujols on the list after his latest World Series performance ONE year ago? But, RH has kind of hurt himself over the last 2 years with his questioning every called strike. You can tell the umps want a little respect and they've had it in for him but maybe everyone can start off with a new mindset this year.— gubbers97
- The worst contracts in the newspaper biz: 1) David Murphy - Philadelphia Daily News.— phink
- Re: Howard. The key is whether he adjusts as a hitter, at his age. If he keeps flailing at the low-and-away, he's worth about $5 million. If he adjusts, and I'm skeptical, no doubt he can earn his contract. The power is there.— therealeman
- Werth is a far worse contract. If Howard comes back this year and hits .265/.340/.800 with 35 HR and 120 RBI's/100 R then he is arguably over paid but not in any way that affects your ability to compete. Werth had one excellent season and doesn't look to ever get close to repeating it.— UncleStosh
- advantaux and copper are correct..the usual suspects are indeed morons— warbiscuit
- and with that, we can close up shop for tonight on this topic and be ready to move on to the next one. Thank you for your support. — advantasux
- I lied, I have one more thing to write:
@war, either the opposition has fled and taken up residence on other blogs and posting sites, or the opposition has wilted from the obviousness of what this team is facing going into this season. My point regarding the free agency of five first basemen in the 2012 season and how Amaro blinked first rather than stand his ground and be ready to go toe to toe to land the BEST first basemen going forward should have been met with the usual catcalls and heavy snickering.
It earned neither.
what gives?— advantasux
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High Cheese is your place for the best Phillies coverage from the Daily News.
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