Ranking MLB's Worst 2025 Contract Busts After 2 Months

[stearnsjp]

This list is an excellent example of why I like the direction the Cardinals seem to be headed: invest in player development, sign your own stars before they're through arbitration, and only go into free agency for complementary pieces. Just stay out of the mega-dollar free agent market, it never ends well.

[WaltsSuccessor]

Lots of guys on that list that I heard the FO called various names for because they didn't sign.

Lots of guys? You mean Max - and mostly just for sentimental reasons. Literally nobody here said a peep about the other 9 this offseason.

If they said Snell, they were just dreaming out loud. Nobody was actually serious about that happening or that it even made sense given the current "reset" direction.

[TXCardsFanX]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/do ... 3b84&ei=50

10. Max Scherzer, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
9. Michael Conforto, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers
8. Charlie Morton, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
7. Tyler O'Neill, OF, Baltimore Orioles
6. Blake Snell, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
5. Christian Walker, 1B, Houston Astros
4. Joc Pederson, DH, Texas Rangers
3. Jurickson Profar, LF, Atlanta Braves
2. Anthony Santander, OF/DH, Toronto Blue Jays
1. Willy Adames, SS, San Francisco Giants

Practicaly these guys had potential BUST written all over them.
Maybe not Snell. He's had injuries throughout. But I think that he was a solid pickup. Just got hurt again. Risk you take with FA SPs.
Scherzer and Morton are both over 40. You were hoping they would continue to be mid-level starters, at best.
Conforto, O'Neil, Walker, Santander, Adames - All dudes who hit for below MLB average, don't walk a lot and are pure power hitters. All or nothing guys. Sometimes you get nothing. Don't spend a lot on these type of cats.
Pederson - Similar to the above, but he can take a free pass better. However, he CANNOT hit LHP. He had a great year in ARZ, but only got 367 ABs. Why? Because he never played against lefties. They only let him have 32 ABs against lefties in 2024.
Profar- Always had potential, but NEVER put it together until 1 season (contract year). Don't be that team to take that risk. Unsurprisingly, it was likely PEDs that boosted him. Dee Gordan another example!

To be fair, I can't pick all the winner either. But, all of these guys (sans Snell) were a roll of the dice to begin with.

[Ozziesfan41]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/do ... 3b84&ei=50

10. Max Scherzer, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
9. Michael Conforto, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers
8. Charlie Morton, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
7. Tyler O'Neill, OF, Baltimore Orioles
6. Blake Snell, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
5. Christian Walker, 1B, Houston Astros
4. Joc Pederson, DH, Texas Rangers
3. Jurickson Profar, LF, Atlanta Braves
2. Anthony Santander, OF/DH, Toronto Blue Jays
1. Willy Adames, SS, San Francisco Giants

Practicaly these guys had potential BUST written all over them.
Maybe not Snell. He's had injuries throughout. But I think that he was a solid pickup. Just got hurt again. Risk you take with FA SPs.
Scherzer and Morton are both over 40. You were hoping they would continue to be mid-level starters, at best.
Conforto, O'Neil, Walker, Santander, Adames - All dudes who hit for below MLB average, don't walk a lot and are pure power hitters. All or nothing guys. Sometimes you get nothing. Don't spend a lot on these type of cats.
Pederson - Similar to the above, but he can take a free pass better. However, he CANNOT hit LHP. He had a great year in ARZ, but only got 367 ABs. Why? Because he never played against lefties. They only let him have 32 ABs against lefties in 2024.
Profar- Always had potential, but NEVER put it together until 1 season (contract year). Don't be that team to take that risk. Unsurprisingly, it was likely PEDs that boosted him. Dee Gordan another example!

To be fair, I can't pick all the winner either. But, all of these guys (sans Snell) were a roll of the dice to begin with.

Snell was pretty much a guarantee to miss games. He has made 30 starts twice in 10 seasons he is like Degrom he is super talented when he pitches but rarely pitches

[Absolut]

Cardinals figured out how to stay off the list

And they avoided the condition predicted for the list. Signing free agents.

The Cardinals nailed 100% of their free agent signings. Kudos to Phil Maton.

Even if he completely tanked a 1 year 2m deal ain’t hitting this list.

[WLTFE]

Santander averaged .250 with 26 HRs over 6 years (35 HRs over the last 3 years) and then just completely busts at age 30. It would have to drive you crazy as a GM to see that.

He seemed like a risky overpay anyways. Low OBP, low average type of player. Kind of like an Adolis Garcia who had a drop off after 3 solid years at the same age.

I'm think it, but not saying it as to offend some in here who think all players are clean.

But do it.....get the BIG contract...........then stop......we've seen this movie over and over again for decades.

PEDs? Say it ain't so Joe.... errr Rock.

Wonder what kind of stuff they have come up with and how they will learn to test for it.

Good guys can't develop a test until they catch one of the cheaters (J. Profar/J. Alvarado types).

By then, rogue chemist already coming up w/new stuff.

Until the punishment (voided contract?) = the crime, the rewards (riches that set up a family for multi-generations) are too great for some NOT to cheat.

I teach at a small college and have had numerous baseball players in my class...over the years when asked if they would take a PED to get into the majors...95% said yes, without hesitation.

[rockondlouie]

Santander averaged .250 with 26 HRs over 6 years (35 HRs over the last 3 years) and then just completely busts at age 30. It would have to drive you crazy as a GM to see that.

He seemed like a risky overpay anyways. Low OBP, low average type of player. Kind of like an Adolis Garcia who had a drop off after 3 solid years at the same age.

I'm think it, but not saying it as to offend some in here who think all players are clean.

But do it.....get the BIG contract...........then stop......we've seen this movie over and over again for decades.

PEDs? Say it ain't so Joe.... errr Rock.

Wonder what kind of stuff they have come up with and how they will learn to test for it.

Good guys can't develop a test until they catch one of the cheaters (J. Profar/J. Alvarado types).

By then, rogue chemist already coming up w/new stuff.

Until the punishment (voided contract?) = the crime, the rewards (riches that set up a family for multi-generations) are too great for some NOT to cheat.

I teach at a small college and have had numerous baseball players in my class...over the years when asked if they would take a PED to get into the majors...95% said yes, without hesitation.

I'm no hypocrite, when you're a borderline HS/college player it's tempting and I'd have used the stuff too if it furthered my playing days.

[Bomber1]

This entire thread illustrates yet again why, if I owned an MLB team (yeah, right) I would never, ever, ever, nada, for no reason ever, sign any free agent. Why suddenly pay a guy 2 or 3 times what he made before just because he happened to have his best season right when his contract came due?

NO. I'd invest every one of those wasted dollars instead in scouting and player development, then six years of contract control once he makes the Show. Let the armchair GMs and talk show callers scream all they want. Let them pay $40 to park; $150 per ticket, and $45 for a ballcap at the stadium*** to see a FA-bidding team instead.

*** Yes, that was the cost of one ballcap at two spring training games we attended the last two seasons.

The problem is you still pay those prices whether the team pursues free agents or doesn’t.