Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez have cumbersome contracts as they grow old.
Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez have cumbersome contracts as they grow old. (USATSI)

Worst contracts: Pitchers | Middle infielders/catchers

As we continue our series on the worst contracts in baseball, we stumble upon the goldmine. While the first two entries of this series were littered with veritable disclaimers -- as I genuinely don't believe there are many real bad contracts in baseball (and many seem unable to grasp the simple concept that being the worst doesn't necessarily mean it's bad; for example: The worst hitter among Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Chris Davis and Evan Longoria last season was Longoria) -- the overwhelming majority of bad contracts in Major League Baseball are with players at the corner infield spots.

We'll hit on those and the designated hitters in this entry. As usual, remember that we're only dealing with what is left on each contract, not the entirety of the deal.

Designated hitters

Worst: Adam Dunn, White Sox
Remaining contract: One year, $15 million

Dunn hit .219/.320/.442 (103 OPS+) last season. It's not much secret what he is, nor has it ever been. He's going to hit for good power (41 homers in 2012, 34 homers last season) and take enough walks to have a decent on-base percentage. His deal isn't egregious unless he has another lost season like in 2011, it's just that there are so few full-time DHs and most are properly compensated due to their offensive production. As I said in the intro, worst isn't necessarily bad. I'm generally fine with this deal, though many will crow about the batting average and strikeouts instead of focusing on the power and OBP.

Now, onto the bad ... and the ugly.

First basemen

Worst: Albert Pujols, Angels
Remaining contract: Eight years, $212 million

He'll be 34 next season and just hobbled through the worst year of his career with a bad knee and bad foot. He still wasn't bad, but the Angels aren't paying him like the best player in baseball to be "not bad." With the deal heavily backloaded, it's likely to hamper future payroll flexibility, too, as Pujols is set to make $29 million in his age-40 season and $30 million in 2021, when he'll be 41.

Runner-up1: Ryan Howard, Phillies
Remaining contract: Three years, $75 million (with a buyout on an option for $10 million)

A torn Achilles to end the 2011 season has hampered Howard the past two seasons and definitely doesn't bode well for him moving forward. He can't run well, is a poor defender and only hit 11 homers in 317 plate appearances last season. So he still has some power, but not nearly enough to justify his franchise-crippling deal. Even if he manages 30 homers, this is still bad because that's really his only skill.

Runner-up2: Joe Mauer, Twins
Remaining contract: Five years, $115 million

He's been moved to first base to preserve his career, which is a good move by the Twins. Is he worth $23 million a year as a run-producing first baseman, though? That's a stretch. He hit 28 homers with an AL-best .587 slugging percentage in 2009, winning the AL MVP. Since then, though, Mauer's slugged .447 with 33 homers in 479 games. I have no doubt he'll continue to be an average and on-base machine and it's possible his power gets better as his head is more clear at first base, but it's hard to see him producing like an elite first baseman.

Runner-up3: Prince Fielder, Tigers
Remaining contract: Seven years, $168 million

He'll turn 30 next season and is coming off a big decline season. What's worse is that players of this build (such as his father and Mo Vaughn) don't age well traditionally. I love that he plays everyday (an average of 161.8 games per season the last five years) and believe he's a good bounce back candidate for next season. He might be worthwhile the next two or even three years, too, but it's hard to see him still being worth $24 million a year on the back-end of this contract. If he's a major contributor to a World Series title, of course, this makes everything worth it.

Honorable mention

A wrist injury ruined Mark Teixeira's 2013 season, but his three years and nearly $70 million left on that deal wouldn't have looked too great anyway. He'll be 34 next year and hit .251/.332/.475 with 27 doubles and 24 homers in 2012. Can he get back to the 39 homers and 111 RBI levels in 2011? If not, this deal isn't great.

I also wonder about Joey Votto. You won't find a bigger Votto supporter than myself, but he's set to make $25 million per season from ages 34-39 (the latter coming in 2023). What if the climate changes and baseball isn't nearly as flush with cash five years from now? This deal has the potential to cripple the Reds down the road. Consider him not an "honorable mention" here but instead a "keep an eye on" guy, much like Dustin Pedroia was in second basemen. 

Third basemen

Worst: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
Remaining contract: Four years, $90 million

The Yankees might get a reprieve here with an A-Rod suspension, but it's doubtful he loses more than one full season. So even if he's suspended for the 2014 season, they'd still be on the hook for over $20 million per year for his ages 39-41 seasons. He hit .244/.348/.423 in 44 games last season, is playing on a surgically-repaired hip, MLB wants him gone and I've got to believe the media circus in New York is at least a minor locker room distraction. Rough deal.

Honorable mention

That's actually about it for third basemen. I wonder about Ryan Zimmerman, though. He has six years and $88 million left on his deal. He's a very good player as his .275/.344/.465 line with 26 doubles and 26 homers last year indicates, but he's likely to have to move to first base and he doesn't offer elite-level power. He'll make $18 million in 2019 when he's 34, so there's potential for bad here.