David Price has just inked the most expensive pitcher contract in the history of the MLB. With his and Jordan Zimmermann both hitting the top 50 contracts of ALL – Time in the last week, it has pushed Homer Bailey out of the top 50 deals of all time for chuckers. Right now, there is no one that has had the Tommy John Surgery while having a contract as a pitcher in the top 50. Expect that to change. Which poses the question – are pitchers really worth 9 figure deals?

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David Price just inked the richest deal in MLB history with the Boston Red Sox at 7 YRs/$217 MIL.  It is also the 8th richest contract ever doled out.

The question is whether or not it is a worthy investment to put that much dough on the table for a guy that will progressively decline as the deal goes on.

If you follow our Tommy John Surgery Tracker, you will find that 30 or so pitchers are having their names added to the list.  Last season, the first 9 figured player – and top 50 salaried player had their arm go under a TJ Surgery in Home Bailey.

The time is coming again when an even higher profile pitcher will have to go down with it while his name is on a pact for a huge 9 figure salary.

it is the main reason why some clubs just can’t afford the risk.  Boston has the funds to do this, and this clearly was the prudent move for the franchise to do after losing out on Jon Lester last season.

Most of the Starting Pitchers have not seen better years with their names on this list like Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Cole Hamels, CC Sabathia and Mike Hampton.

I am not going to dissect the deals on the books for Clayton Kershaw, Jon Lester, or Max Scherzer yet because they have just really begun, but one other name that is flirting with injury disaster is Masahiro Tanaka.

The Boston Red Sox had to orchestrate this move with a failed result of developing their own aces, and as a result of not paying Lester fair market value when they had him.

The New York Yankees are seeing the last year on the deal for CC Sabathia this season – and despite him winning a World Series with the club in 2009 – and having 3 great years afterwards, are now shelling out $25 MIL for the man this upcoming year- for a guy who might not even pitch in the rotation.

Zack Greinke opted out of his 6 YRs/$144.5 MIL deal and will stand to benefit from the latest Price deal.  I am not sure he will receive the same amount of total sum Price received, however you can see him landing a deal in the $30 MIL for the next 5 or 6 years anyway.

The best examples of measuring whether a player is worth the money are not are to see the career records of Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson in their A’s days – compared to what they made post Oakland.

The numbers are astounding – and if smaller markets use those numbers, they will never sign Free Agent Pitchers to 9 figure sums ever.

It will always be a hard debate for any of the 30 MLB clubs to sign pitchers for this reason.  They must always think about the injury factor.  Positional Players just don’t tend to suffer career disabling injuries with the same amount of frequency as Pitchers do.

The highest contracts in MLB history (Red means Active Contract)

 1. Giancarlo Stanton, $325, 000, 000 (2015 – 2027)

*2. Alex Rodriguez, $275,000,000 (2008-17)

*** With A-Rod’s suspension in 2014, he forfeited $22.13 MIL bucks, so it will end up 10 YRs/$252.87 MIL for the duration of his deal.

3. Alex Rodriguez, $252,000,000 (2001-10) (Opted out after 2007 season).

*4. Miguel Cabrera $248,000, 000 (2016 – 2023)

Go see #22.  He has the 3rd and 22nd top contracts of ALL – Time.

*5. Albert Pujols, $250,000,000 (2012-21)

*6. Robinson Cano, $240,000,000 (2014 – 2023)

*7. Joey Votto, $225,000,000 (2014-23)

*8.  David Price, $217,000,000 (2016 – 2022)

*9.  Clayton Kershaw $215,000,000 (2014 – 2020)

*10. Prince Fielder, $214,000,000 (2012-20)

*11.  Max Scherzer, $210,000,000 (2015 – 2021)

12. Derek Jeter, $189,000,000 (2001-10)

*13. Joe Mauer, $184,000,000 (2011-18)

*T14. Mark Teixeira, $180,000,000 (2009-16)

*T14. Justin Verlander, $180,000,000 (2013-19)

*16. Felix Hernandez, $175,000,000 (2013-19)

*17. Buster Posey, $167,000,000 (2013-21)

*18. CC Sabathia, $161,000,000 (2009-15)

T-19. Manny Ramirez, $160,000,000 (2001-08)

*T-19. Matt Kemp, $160,000,000 (2012-19)

*20. Troy Tulowitzki, $157,750,000 (2011-20)

*21.  Masahiro Tanaka, $155,000,000 (2014 – 20) (Doesn’t include his $20 MIL posting fee)

*22.  Jon Lester, $155,000,000 (2015 – 2021)

*23. Adrian Gonzalez, $154,000,000 (2012-18)

*24. Jacoby Ellsbury , $153,000,000 (2014-2020)

*25. Miguel Cabrera, $152,300,000 (2008-15)

*26. Zack Greinke, $147,000,000 (2013-18)

*27.  Mike Trout, $144, 500, 000 (2015 – 2020)

*28. Cole Hamels, $144,000,000 (2013-18) 

*29. Carl Crawford, $142,000,000 (2011-17)

30. Todd Helton, $141,500,000 (2003-11)

*31. David Wright, $138,000,000 (2013-20)

32. Johan Santana, $137,500,000 (2008-13)

*33. Alfonso Soriano, $136,000,000 (2007-14)

*34.  Freddie Freeman, $135,000,000 (2014-21)

*35.  Shin-Soo Choo, $130,000,000 (2014-20)

*36. Matt Cain, $127,500,000 (2012-17)

T37. Vernon Wells, $126,000,000 (2008-14)

T-37. Barry Zito, $126,000,000 (2007-13)

*39 Jayson Werth, $126,000,000 (2011-17)

*T-40. Ryan Howard, $125,000,000 (2012-16)

*T-40: Josh Hamilton, $125,000,000 (2013-17)

*42. CC Sabathia, $122,000,000 (2012-16) (Opted out after 2011 year)

43. Mike Hampton, $121,000,000 (2001-08)

T-44. Jason Giambi, $120,000,000 (2002-08)

*T-44. Matt Holliday, $120,000,000 (2010-16)

*T-44: Elvis Andrus, $120,000,000(2015-22)

 T-44:  Cliff Lee, $120,000,000 (2011-15)

47. Carlos Beltran, $119,000,000 (2005-11)

48 .Ken Griffey Jr., $116,500,000 (2000-08)

*T50. Jordan Zimmermann, $110,000,000 (2016 – 2020)

*T50.  Dustin Pedroia, $110,0000, 000 (2014 – 2021)

Jordan Zimmermann joining the Tigers has reopened their winning window for at least next year. The Tigers will need a bounce back year from V-Mart, and for Justin Verlander to be at least a #2 or #3 starter. The former Nationals Pitcher just made the cut for the ALL – Time top 50 contract list at tied for 50th, but will certainly fall out of the top 50 when Zack Greinke signs a deal.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

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