Six players signed deals worth $100MM or more last offseason and they've now completed one year since finalizing their respective deals. Here's a look at how baseball's newest $100MM players fared in 2011 (in order of contract value):
- Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies, ten-year, $157.75MM extension – This deal, which was somewhat unexpected last offseason, is going as well as the Rockies could hope. Tulowitzki put together another tremendous season: .302/.372/.544 with 30 home runs at shortstop.
- Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox, seven-year, $154MM extension - Gonzalez led the American League in hits and nearly won the batting title in his return to the Junior Circuit. He posted a .338/.410/.548 line and hit 27 homers on his way to an MVP-caliber season. His seven-year extension officially kicks in next season, though.
- Carl Crawford, Red Sox, seven-year, $142MM contract - Crawford posted a sub-.300 on-base percentage, saw his stolen base total drop by 29 and hit fewer home runs, triples and doubles than he did during his final season in Tampa Bay. The Red Sox still owe him $128MM, so they have to find a way to turn their left fielder's career around.
- Jayson Werth, Nationals, seven-year, $126MM contract – Though Werth doesn't like the idea that 2011 was a lost season for him and the Nationals, there's no denying that his numbers fell off. He had a .232/.330/.389 line with 20 homers and 19 stolen bases.
- Cliff Lee, Phillies, five-year, $120MM contract – We knew Lee was good, but it would not have been fair to expect this kind of year: he posted a 2.40 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 in 232 2/3 innings.
- Ryan Braun, Brewers, five-year, $105MM extension - Braun could win the MVP after leading the league in slugging percentage (.597) and OPS (.994). He hit 33 homers and stole 33 bases, posted a career-high .397 on-base percentage and made his fourth consecutive All-Star team.
Crawford and Werth were sources of excitement for their respective teams when they signed free agent contracts and the outfielders have since become sources of concern. The other position players – Tulowitzki, Gonzalez and Braun – have turned in MVP-caliber seasons, while Lee should be a top-three finisher in this year's NL Cy Young balloting.
Jayson Werth will play a superb season next year.
and yet still end up at or near last place!
They’ll be behind the Phillies and Braves, yes. Like most other teams would be if they had to be in that division.
The Phillies have to get old one of these days…
Do they Paul….do they?
possibly, but it was still insanity to sign him at 31 years of age for 7 seasons and expect to get your moneys worth (HA!). actually same can be said for crawford. they’re are both going to make vernon wells look like a bargain
I’m going to go with a sub par season
Jayson Werth is not a 100 MM player, the Nats decided to make him one
Agreed. Phils have locked up everyone they needed to the last couple of years. There is a reason they only offered Werth $57 million.
you noted that gonzalez’s extension kicks in next season, but not that braun’s kicks in in 2016, when he’s 32
great year. great player. weird extension
I really do question GM’s sanity sometimes.
Nats could’ve had Werth for 5yrs 75 mill.
A good team could have had Werth for something in that neighborhood. But the Nats being the Nats had to overpay. Does it justify the salary? No. But, “Nats could’ve have Werth for 5yrs 75 mill.” = FALSE
no, because the only reason he went there is because they overpayed so much…
He probably could have gotten 5 year/75 million from another team, and he would have went to them instead.
i wish…
Jayson Werth was paid $90 million for his playing ability and $37 million for his facial hair. To date, only the facial hair is providing a significant return on investment.
anyone got a hunch what princes fielders contract will look like?
A lot like AGon, is my guess. If I had to put money on it I would say $161mil over 7yrs.
Eh, I think teams will shy away from a longer deal with Fielder. Possibly willing to pay more money over a short period of time. 5 yr/$140M not including signing bonus and option year.
Yep, I’m with SWP on this one. I might even go a little less on the AAV and say something like 5/120.
I dig why GM will want to hive Prince a shorter term, but I bet one will pony up the 7 years.
I thought AGon would top 40 hrs this season and instead wasn’t even close. Granted, great season by him but color me mildly surprised.
There were a couple different time in the last month+ of the season when he talked about how his surgically repaired shoulder was wearing down and he couldn’t generate the power he usually does because of it.
I still think my boy Cabby was all-around better. If he finishes behind A-Gon in the MVP vote I will be very surprised.
there is no chance that cabrera was “all-around” better. he did have a much better year with the bat, though
Cabrera might not be better with the glove but I guarantee he is a better base runner. Lol
way better in 2011. only ryan howard and paul konerko were worse than gonzalez
If Werth, as i expect/hope, has a few bounce back years then it’ll at least be somewhat salvaged, relatively speaking. yes, he obviously won’t live up to the contract. hardly anyone can. but the point of it was to prove we are willing to spend. think it worked? haha we’ve been linked to every major FA out there (some of which i would prefer not to be linked to). We need him to continue to be a stabilizing veteran in the clubhouse and give us good production like I know he can.