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)
vafan to the rescue... I was off to bed after a late night at work and checked in one more time. I'm not used to posting so often but didn't want to leave y'all hanging. I have to say I disagree that Ruben lost in the best first baseman at the best terms game y'all are playing. Fielder and Pujols with 9 and 10 year deals aren't even in my top 5. Who do the Bosox have at first, Napoli? I don't even know. Dodgers with Gonzalez are the closest but even in his best year, he doesn't come cloe to Ryan's potential. Consider Adrian's $21 mil/ year vs Ryan's $25 mil/year, vs potential, and I'll call it a tie. Definitely not a clear loss by Ruben no matter how many of you want to argue it. night all!— vafan- Oops, AGon is $22 mil/year. I'll give him better defense and call it a push, at best. Potential production still is far higher in Howard's favor.— vafan
- "@vafan to the rescue"...dude, you are a fun person to debate with. Thanks for hanging in there with us tonight. We don't share your optimism about this team, as you've seen, but your optimism is highly respected. The problem right now is that you seem to be out there by yourself the past few days. Not sure where the others have gone.
I'm sure if the Phils break out 5 - 0, or 5- 1, after a couple series, the optimists will be looking to run us off for good.
I hope I'm wrong and you're right, my friend. My 17-game plan for 4 seats per game says how much I want you to be right about all this. My kids want to root for winning baseball once again.
Talk to you tomorrow.— advantasux - I think I am a realist more than an optimist when it comes to the Phils and the rest of my hometown teams. It's so hard to win it all and I appreciate a playoff team. Once you get in the tournament, as we've seen, anything can happen. I think making the playoffs is the sign of success. I've suffered through some lean years with them all, especially the Phils and Birds, and I appreciate what they've done lately. BTW - I feel bad for the folks sitting next to you if you say the same things at the Phils games that you say here. I think I would jump off the roof if I saw you back for a second game let alone 16 more! — vafan
- @vafan, not sure what I've said that has you suggesting folks next to me should jump off the roof. Again, despite the respect I pay you for your different point of view, you don't seem to return the sentiment. Show me what I say that has you so nuts. — advantasux
- I put an exclamation point at the end of that sentence to soften it up. I think you read too much in to my jump off the roof comment but understand that attitude can often be misunderstood in written form. I will say, however, if I had to sit next to you while you blasted Ruben and the Phils for 3 1/2 hours at a game, I would have to get up. Either that or I would drive you crazy with my counterpoints. — vafan
- High water...I wish he would .Howard would do well to tell all the HATERS on here the same as Murphy go .......themselves.Howard is going to still suffer from that major injury this season,but he will be better than MR.GIVE A PASS UTLEY.— tobyjoe
- Dumb Rube is dumb as it.This OLD team will have a lot of faithful fans climbing the walls in CBP this season.By trade deadline there will be another OLD HEAD brought in to try and savage this mess,but no savior is available.DUMB RUBE must go.— tobyjoe
- Even though it is only 3 years and less annual pay than this list, I think Boston will regret the Victorino contract.— The Beast
- Couldn't agree more.
a talented, nice man whose numbers have declined every year since rookie year. Still can't lay off the low and away breaker. My grandmother could serve up that one and he'd whiff.— drbob456 - Couldn't agree more. A talented, nice man whose numbers have declined every year since rookie year. Still can't lay off the low and away breaker. My grandmother could serve up that one and he'd whiff.— drbob456
- I would certainly rank Werth's contract worse Howard's. At least Ryan drives in runs.— nc_bg
- In the early 80s the Phillies were owned by Ruly Carpenter. When word
got out that the Braves signed a player for $700,000 he decided it
was time to sell the team because players salaries were getting out
of control. Wonder what he thinks of today's salaries? LOL— associate - Whatever you do; don't speak ill of Howard or all the crazies who think he's going to come back will vilify you. I can hardly wait to see him spit on his hands, step up to the plate , swing the bat and wonder why the pitcher can't hit his bat with the ball.
He was slow before he was injured, and clogged up the base paths.He's bound to be worse when he gets on base when he recuperates. To those who say ,"Wait until the season's over." We waited for the past 3 or 4 seasons. His best days like the seat of his pants, are behind him.
— phineas - Papelbon delivers the goods. Maybe overpaid, but he does deliver. All Howard has delivered in recent years are strikeouts and grounders into the shift. And the Phillies have FOUR more years of this albatross contract to suffer through. Nothing says Amaro is incompetent like the Howard contract and the fact that the Phils have done nothing but gotten worse every year since Amaro took over.— Xyzzyx
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High Cheese is your place for the best Phillies coverage from the Daily News.
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