Losing Chris Davis and his 45+ HR power would have been very difficult to replace. The O’s have their man with a creative deferral payment plan that will see them pay Davis $119 MIL from 2016 – 2022, and then pay out $42 MIL over the next 15 years in deferrals.  The $161 MIL has him tied for 19th ALL – Time in MLB Player Contracts with CC Sabathia.  The Orioles slugger led the league with 47 HRs (2nd time in 3 years), and has clubbed 126 HRs (led all of the MLB) in the last 3 seasons despite being levied a 25 game suspension for his medication in Sept of 2014.

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Chris Davis, 30 in 2016,  and Justin Upton, 28,  are now in the 9 figure club and among historical contracts of ALL – Time.  Davis inked a 7 YR deal for $161 MIL – while Upton is at 6 Years for $132.75 (distributed evenly throughout.)

The Big 1B/OF for the O’s will make $119 MIL from 2016 – 2022 paid evenly by $17 MIL per year before the crazy deferral program kicks in.  From 2023 – 2030, Davis will earn $3.5 per annum for another $31 MIL.  The deal then goes from 2031 – 2037 at a 1.4 MIL per annum clip.   All told it is $161 MIL spread over 21 years.

Upton’s deal made sense to give him even payments ($22.13 MIL per year AAV) as his money will put the Tigers over the Luxury Tax Threshold in 2016 and jeopardize the team in future years with a ton of payroll already committed. Upton batted .251/.336/.454 with 26 HRs and 81 RBI in 2016.  This deal puts him 38th ALL – Time and just trailing former Brave teammate Freddie Freeman by a few million.  His contract also sets the Tigers at nearly $200 MIL in total team payroll for 2016 – and this will mean they are over the $189 MIL Luxury Tax Threshold.

The former D’backs, Braves and Padres Outfielder will have a chance to opt out after the 2017 campaign.  If he does just that he will still only be 30 years old.  Then the Tigers would have paid Upton $44.27 MIL over 2016 and 2017 combined.  A brilliant maneuver if it works out.

In addition to Upton, the Tigers already have Miguel Cabrera (3rd on the list – $248 MIL) and Justin Verlander (Tied for 15th – $180 MIL) already on this list, and Jordan Zimmermann just missed the cut at 54th.

Davis tied CC Sabathia‘s 1st deal with the Yankees that was also listed for 7 YRS and $161 MIL – although he technically will make $117 MIL from 2012 – 2016.  We will adjust this for him the big Yankee after next year.  We will also do the same with Josh Hamilton‘s deal.

These two join David Price, Zack Greinke, Jason Heyward and Johnny Cueto on the top 50 list as guys who have signed this offseason.  Jordan Zimmermann just fell short of the bar with his 5 YRs/$110 MIL deal.  He is 54th ALL – Time.

The only remaining Free Agent who may crack this list for this winter is Yoenis Cespedes, although he will need a deal worth $120 MIL to do it.

The highest contracts in MLB history (Maroon means Active Contract, Red Bold means signed this winter)

 *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.  Arod also has the 23rd highest contract in history too.

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

Go see #30 as well.  He has the 3rd and 30th top contracts of ALL – Time.

*4. Albert Pujols, $242,000,000 (2012-21)

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

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

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

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

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

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

*11. Zack Greinke, $206,500,000 (2016 – 2022)

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

*T13. Joe Mauer, $184,000,000 (2011-18)

*T13. Jason Heyward, $184,000,000 (2016 – 2023)

*T15. Mark Teixeira, $180,000,000 (2009-16)

*T15. Justin Verlander, $180,000,000 (2013-19)

*T17. Felix Hernandez, $175,000,000 (2013-19)

*T17. Stephen Strasburg, $175,000,000 (2017-2023)

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

*T20. Chris Davis, $161,000,000 (2016 – 2022)

*T20 CC Sabathia, $161,000,000 (2009-15)

T-22. Manny Ramirez, $160,000,000 (2001-08)

*T-22. Matt Kemp, $160,000,000 (2012-19)

24. Alex Rodriguez, $158,400,000 (2001-2007)

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

*T26  Masahiro Tanaka, $155,000,000 (2014 – 20) (Doesn’t include his $20 MIL posting fee)

*T26.  Jon Lester, $155,000,000 (2015 – 2021)

*T28. Adrian Gonzalez, $154,000,000 (2012-18)

*T28. Jacoby Ellsbury , $153,000,000 (2014-2020)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*39.  Justin Upton,  $132, 750, 000 (2016 – 2021)

*T40.  Shin-Soo Choo, $130,000,000 (2014-20)

*T40.  Johnny Cueto, $130, 000, 000 (2016 – 2021)

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

T 43. Vernon Wells, $126,000,000 (2008-14)

T-43. Barry Zito, $126,000,000 (2007-13)

*T43. Jayson Werth, $126,000,000 (2011-17)

T-46. Ryan Howard, $125,000,000 (2012-16)

*T-46: Josh Hamilton, $125,000,000 (2013-17)

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

T-49. Jason Giambi, $120,000,000 (2002-08)

T-49. Matt Holliday, $120,000,000 (2010-16)

*T-49: Elvis Andrus, $120,000,000 (2015-22)

 T-49:  Cliff Lee, $120,000,000 (2011-15)

Just Outside the BAR

53. Carlos Beltran, $119,000,000 (2005-2015)

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

Yoenis Cespedes is the last possible Free Agent that could make this list. What will he sign for? it will have to be $120 MIL or better otherwise he is not going to be on the top 50 ALL – Time contracts.  There are 1o teams that have been rumored that want his services.  The big Cuban slashed .291/.328/.542 with 35 HRS (top 40 HRs in both AL and NL) with 105 RBI and 101 Runs during 2015.  Cespedes, who will play in 2016 at age 30, had a more impressive OPS in the NL at .942 for his 57 Games Played there for the Mets.

*** 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***

When I was in RF Bleacher I also was able to meet up with Larry Lucchino..

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