Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers. MLB Power Rankings (Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
MLB Power Rankings of the worst contract on every team’s roster.
This week’s MLB Power Rankings will take a look at a topic every fan loves: money. How much. How long. How many zeros follow the dollar sign. It’s a subject every fan knows and cares about a lot more than we used to.
In Major League Baseball, where there is no salary cap, many contracts have gotten a little out of control at times. General Managers get the seal of approval from owners willing to pay the price if things don’t work out.
To determine the worst contract on each team’s active roster, there are a couple of considerations. Is the player going to live up to the money he’s still owed? At the time the contract was signed, did it make sense? Considering those factors and more, this is the worst contract on every MLB team’s roster. Players must be employed by the team to make this week’s MLB Power Rankings. Sorry, Bobby Bonilla. You’ll get your check, but you’re not making this list because you aren’t on the roster.
30) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians, Josh Bell
The Cleveland Guardians don’t really have any bad contracts unless you want to consider the lack of extension on Shane Bieber’s deal worthy. Their newest big free agent signing might be one of the worst on the books and it’s not really all that bad. Josh Bell signed for two years with a player option in the second season. Each contract is worth $16.5 million which might be only slightly overpriced. It really depends on which version of Bell shows up for Cleveland this season.
29) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays, Tyler Glasnow
There is one thing that makes Tyler Glasnow’s contract with the Tampa Bay Rays their worst. Is he ever going to pitch? Perpetually injured, Glasnow has never made more than 14 starts in a single season. His deal pays him $5.35 million in 2023 then jumps all the way up to $25 million in 2024. By that point, Glasnow could be completely healthy or a guy the Rays are desperate to trade to clear some salary space.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers, Jacob deGrom
Injuries definitely make contracts look worse. The Texas Rangers looked past Jacob deGrom missing a lot of time over the last two years and signed him to a massive deal this offseason. A contract that runs through at least 2027 with a mutual option in his age 40 season in 2028, the Rangers might be paying Hall of Fame money for a guy who routinely misses time. His contract is far from one of the worst in this week’s MLB Power Rankings because if things do go well it’s going to be a smart one.
27) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros, Rafael Montero
A little bit of irony: Rafael Montero was once regarded as the better New York Mets pitching prospect when compared to Jacob deGrom. We know how that turned out. Both got paid this offseason with Rafael Montero receiving a three-year contract from the Houston Astros. Each season includes $11.5 million. It’s a lot of money for a guy with a thin resume.
26) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr.
All across North America, you’ll find tourist traps. The World’s Biggest Question Mark is definitely somewhere out there in the Midwest. It mine as well get carried around by Fernando Tatis Jr. His massive $340 million deal remains in its infancy. The San Diego Padres have already seen him get injured off the field and receive a suspension for PEDs. The talent is there. The decision-making, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be present.