Yesterday, Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th career home run. While fanfare was mixed — most non-Yankee fans could care less — the one thing that jumped to my mind was how rough of a season A-Rod is actually having and how hard it was for him to finally reach 600 home runs. I then took a second look at his 10-year/$275 million dollar contract, which has seven years remaining. In my opinion, it could end up being the worst contract in baseball history. That got me thinking of some of the Red Sox current contracts and how they blow the A-Rod deal out of the water.
The first contract that stands out in my mind is the 6-year/$45.5 million dollar deal Dustin Pedroia signed before the 2009 season. Even in a “down year” last season, Pedroia was worth 5 WAR and even having missed a chunk of time this season he has already been worth 3.5 WAR. As a comparison, Alex Rodriguez, to this point in the season, has been worth only 2 WAR. Pedroia is signed through his prime seasons (27-31) and will make no more than $10 million, which comes at the end of the deal (also and $11 million dollar club option for 2015).
Also before the 2009 season, Kevin Youkilis signed a 4-year/$41.125 million dollar contract. For the past three seasons, Youk has been as consistent a hitter as they come. His excellent plate discipline and good power make him a valuable asset to the middle of any lineup. Unfortunately, a thumb injury could cost him the rest of 2010, though he had already been worth 4 WAR this season. Not only will Youk likely come close to matching a declining A-Rod in production over the next few seasons, but his contract ends at his age 34 season with a club option for his age 35 season. This ensures that the Red Sox are not committed to his potential rapid decline years.
My favorite contract, however, is the 5-year/$30 million dollar deal the Sox gave Jon Lester before the 2009 season. Lester has, for the third straight season, put together great numbers. His 11-6 record, 3.05 ERA and 4.1 WAR to this point in the season have been worth millions more than the $3.75 million he is on the books for in 2010. The best part? Lester is only 26-years-old and just now entering his prime. The Red Sox owe Lester $25 million over the next three seasons, a number that he could easily earn in only two seasons and possibly even in one.
Did the Sox overpay in some of their current starting pitcher contracts? Yes, but pitchers are generally overpaid due to the premium of the position anyway. Every team that can, does overpay for starters. It’s just the nature of the beast. At least the Sox have a strong base of three core players that are all signed to good contracts with no obligation for their age 34-and-over seasons.
In what is turning out to be a tough year for the Sox, especially with regards to injuries, it should give fans some comfort to look back and see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel.
I can only imagine who the Sox will employ at third base — most likely a good player at a good price — for the 2016-2017 seasons when the Yankees are paying A-Rod $20 million per season at age 41 and 42.