Top 5 $100 Million Contract Players in MLB
In the recent history of major league baseball, only a select few players have been given the honor of receiving a long-term with a total value of over $100 million. For many general managers, it’s a huge risk to undertake, given the fact that many of the players are considerably older toward the tail end of the contract and likely won’t return nearly the value provided toward the front end of the deal.
The fear of the unknown is also a factor, and a debilitating injury can certainly render the contract meaningless over time as well. However, a few players have in fact returned the value in terms of production for their very generous teams. Here is a look at five of the top $100 million contract players in Major League Baseball.
Troy Tulowitzki: Colorado Rockies (10 years, $157.75 million)
When Colorado Rockies general Dan O’Dowd sat down with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki over the offseason following the 2010 season, the two talked about life and stability. By the time the two were done talking, Tulowitzki had walked away with a seven-year contract extension worth $134 million, meaning that Tulowitzki will be paid $157.75 million over ten years.
Tulowitzki provided the Rockies with a 30-homer, 100 RBI season in his first year of the new deal, and at just 27 years of age, he no doubt will be producing for many more years to come.
Derek Jeter: New York Yankees (10 years, $189 million)
During the offseason following the 2000 season, the New York Yankees agree to a contract with shortstop Derek Jeter for 10 years and $189 million, the second-highest contract ever signed at the time, trailing only Alex Rodriguez.
Jeter continued on as the face of the Yankees franchise, helping lead them back to another World Series title in 2009, winning five Gold Glove awards and being selected to eight All-Star teams during the length of the contract.
CC Sabathia: New York Yankees (seven years, $161 million)
Immediately following the 2008 season, CC Sabathia, who had won the American League Cy Young Award in 2007 and helped lead the Milwaukee Brewers to the playoffs in 2008, signed a seven-year $161 contract with the New York Yankees in December 2008.
Sabathia’s signing paid off, as he helped lead the Yankees to their 27th World Series title in 2009. However, just two years later, a quirky clause in Sabathia’s contract allowed him to walk away from his deal after three years. While he didn’t walk away from the Yankees, Sabathia signed a five-year, $122 million deal to stay in New York, making him only the second player in history to ever received two separate $100 million contracts.
Albert Pujols: St. Louis Cardinals (eight years, $111 million)
As free agent slugging first baseman Albert Pujols is being fiercely wooed by several teams vying for his services, he is ending an eight-year, $111 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, signed prior to the 2004 season.
During that span, Pujols became one of the most feared right-handed hitters in the history of baseball, leading the Cardinals to two World Series championships in 2006 and 2011.
Alex Rodriguez: New York Yankees (10 years, $275 million)
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is the only man in baseball history to have signed two separate contracts for over $200 million each—first with the Texas Rangers in December 2000, and again with the New York Yankees in December 2007.
At just 36 years of age and with 629 lifetime home runs, Rodriguez is still a threat to break the all-time home record set by Barry Bonds, however nagging injuries have been a concern for A-Rod over the past three seasons, playing in just 99 games in 2011 with only 16 home runs.
About the author: Jeff is a sports fanatic and has a passion for watching organized sports as well as participating in boxing, kayaking and rock climbing. He works with The Phoenix Bats, a company that produces high-quality wooden bats for amateurs and professionals.
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