The Worst MLB Free-Agent Signings Ever
The anticipation was high as fans and media eagerly awaited the decisions of two of the biggest free agents in Major League Baseball (MLB) – Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Both players were hot commodities, attracting attention from multiple teams. In the end, they both signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have spared no expense this offseason, spending over $1 billion on new signings.
Shohei Ohtani, the American League MVP, is coming off surgery, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto has never pitched in the MLB. Despite these uncertainties, the Dodgers took a bold step by offering long-term deals to these Japanese superstars. Ohtani signed a 10-year contract, while Yamamoto agreed to a 12-year deal. Only time will tell how these signings will pan out, but looking back at history, there have been some free-agent signings that turned out to be major disappointments.
Here is a list of the worst MLB free-agent signings ever:
1. Albert Pujols – Los Angeles Angels (2012): Pujols was a legendary player with the St. Louis Cardinals, but his tenure with the Angels was marred by injuries and declining performance. The Angels signed Pujols to a 10-year, $240 million deal, and while he had a few productive seasons, his overall impact fell far short of expectations.
2. Alex Rodriguez – Texas Rangers (2001): Rodriguez signed a record-breaking 10-year, $252 million contract with the Rangers, but the team failed to build a competitive roster around him. Despite his individual success, the Rangers struggled, and Rodriguez was eventually traded to the New York Yankees.
3. Josh Hamilton – Los Angeles Angels (2013): Hamilton was an MVP with the Texas Rangers, but his time with the Angels was plagued by injuries and off-field issues. The Angels signed him to a five-year, $125 million contract, but he never lived up to the expectations.
4. Carl Crawford – Boston Red Sox (2011): Crawford signed a seven-year, $142 million contract with the Red Sox, but his performance never matched the hefty price tag. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency, leading to his eventual trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
5. Barry Zito – San Francisco Giants (2006): Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Giants, but he never replicated his success with the Oakland Athletics. His performance declined significantly, and he became one of the biggest disappointments in Giants’ history.
These signings serve as a cautionary tale for teams looking to make big splashes in the free-agent market. Sometimes, the biggest names don’t always translate into success on the field. The Dodgers’ signings of Ohtani and Yamamoto may turn out to be brilliant moves, or they could join the list of worst free-agent signings ever. Only time will tell.
In the world of baseball, taking risks is part of the game. Teams hope that their big investments will pay off with championships and success. However, as history has shown, not all free-agent signings live up to expectations. The Dodgers, along with Ohtani and Yamamoto, will now embark on a journey to prove that their signings were worth every penny.
