worst ever free agent signings

[nuzzy62]

I'd like to nominate Andruw Jones for one of the three outfield spots
18M contract 209 at bats, 3 HR .158 batting average.

[cron007_m]

Mike Hampton's signing by Colorado...very bad fit in Coors...then became injured and injured and injured. He'll make a fine addition as a LHP.

[HoustonGM]

I'd like to nominate Andruw Jones for one of the three outfield spots
18M contract 209 at bats, 3 HR .158 batting average.

The reason i wouldn't put this on the list is because it's short-term.

For a title like "worst free agent contract ever", I think it needs a combination of length AND cost AND lack of production and/or injury.

[metsguy234]

Mr. Barry Zito

[nuzzy62]

The reason i wouldn't put this on the list is because it's short-term.

For a title like "worst free agent contract ever", I think it needs a combination of length AND cost AND lack of production and/or injury.

Andruw still has next year to waste another $18M. It's certainly the worst $18M ever spent in one year

[dickay]

I have to agree with Zito as they overbid themselves and offered that huge long term deal for someone many had pinned as way overrated well before the signing. At least everyone wanted Hampton.

[nuzzy62]

Jason Schidmt's 3-yr 47M deal looks pretty bad so far too

[RickD]

For your consideration................................................................... ........Carl Pavano

[Keppinger]

I don't have the exact details on the contract, but I remember when Kansas City signed Mark Davis to a fat contract after his monster year with San Diego and he was a total bomb. I nominate him as the closer, or at worst the lefty reliever.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Darren Driefort has to be on this list.

[phillies999]

Adam Eaton. 6.29 era in 2007, bad year in 2008, and a era above 7 in the minors!

[BINGLEBOP]

Mike Hampton's signing by Colorado...very bad fit in Coors...then became injured and injured and injured. He'll make a fine addition as a LHP.

That was horrible. And then was it Colorado or Florida that were paying part of his salary for the next few seasons (after the trade) when he was pitching for the Braves?

Although I do think they got a better deal paying him to pitch elsewhere than pitching for the Rockies.

[haveacigar]

Darren Driefort has to be on this list.

Darren Dreifort had the added benefit of getting Gary Sheffield pissed off. That signing was disaster for the Dodgers

[BINGLEBOP]

The worst contract that could have been (or the best contract that never was?)...

When the Detroit Tigers offered Juan Gonzalez an eight-year, $140 million extension... he would have just been hitting free agency this fall. Passing that up was probably the dumbest move ever by a baseball player since he would only make $38,625,000 since then. (Although Matt Harrington's saga comes close.)

[HoustonGM]

That was horrible. And then was it Colorado or Florida that were paying part of his salary for the next few seasons (after the trade) when he was pitching for the Braves?

Both:

Colorado to pay $49M ($20M signing bonus, $8M in 2001, $8.5M in 2002, $2M in 2003, $2M in 2004, $2.5M in 2005, $6M buyout in 2009).'

Florida to pay $23.5M ($7M of 2003 salary, $8M in 2004, $8.5M in 2005).

Atlanta to pay $48.5M ($2M of 2003 salary, $2M in 2004, $1.5M in 2005, $13.5M in 2006, $14.5M in 2007, $15M in 2008).

Atlanta was on the hook for 2006-2008, but both Colorado and Florida were paying his salary for his first couple of years in Atlanta.