Top 5 Worst Contracts in Baseball in 2026
Now that Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg are no longer active, we have a new leading crew atop the "worst contracts in baseball" list.
Let's have a look at five contracts that are undoubtedly "untradeable", thus qualifying as the worst in baseball, with some help from Zachary Rotman of Fansided.
1. Rafael Devers, 7 years to go, $200 million owed
Devers was one of the top power bats in baseball for 8.5 years with the Boston Red Sox. But ever since he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, his production has gone in the tank. Normally, a .279 hitter who averaged about 30-35 HR and 100 RBIs per season, Devers has been a .239 hitter in San Francisco in 133 games, with just 25 home runs and 69 RBIs. That 10-year, $313M deal that the Red Sox gave him is looking a little problematic for the Giants if he doesn't turn it around. And by the way, it's not the Oracle Park effect, either. He's actually hit better at home than on the road since the trade to the West Coast.
2. Xander Bogaerts, 7+ years to go, $178 million owed
The Red Sox dodged another one here, deciding not to sign Bogaerts in free agency. His 11-year, $280 million deal with the San Diego Padres seemed like a huge overpay at the time, and now, it's looking even worse. He's been a mediocre hitter with a .740 OPS in his four years in San Diego, with only 48 HR in 443 games with the Friars.
3. Kris Bryant, 2+ more years, $54 million owed
The only reason Bryant isn't higher on this list is that there are only 2.5 years left on the disastrous seven-year, $182M free agent deal the Colorado Rockies signed him to. In four seasons in Denver, Bryant has simply not been able to stay on the field. He's played just 170 games—total. Over four seasons! Additionally, when he does play, the .886 OPS that he posted in his seven years with the Chicago Cubs has plummeted to a .695 mark. This was $182M wasted for the Rockies.
4. Aaron Nola, 4 years left, $98 million owed
Nola used to be a top-end of the rotation starter for the Philadelphia Phillies, but that was a few years back. Now, at 33, batters are hitting .281 off him, and he's struggled to keep his ERA below 5.00 in three of the last four seasons.
5. Manny Machado, seven years and $273 million remaining
He's hitting only .188 this season with six homers. He has been a pretty consistent 30-100 guy for most of his career, but set to turn 34 this season, and under contract until he's 40 in 2033, this could get ugly, if this year's production is any sign of the future.
Honorable mentions include Willy Adames, who has 5 years left, and $155 million. Another huge contract that the Giants are stuck with for at least the next half-decade. He was signed to a seven-year, $182 milliion deal in free agency before the 2025 season, and he's hit just .224 with SF, with a .709 OPS. And while he still hit 30 HR last year, he's off to a dreadful start this season, with just three homers and 11 RBIs through six weeks, with a .598 OPS.
Then there's Bo Bichette. His contract is only for another two years after this one, but he's earning a ridiculous $42M a season, while hitting just .224 with a measly two home runs for the Mets, with a .560 OPS. Yikes.
Photo: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
