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?