The Chicago Cubs, since their dramatic 2016 World Series win, have experienced a decline, missing the playoffs for the past four years. This drop in performance followed the team’s decision to dismantle its championship core, including trading away key players in hopes of developing young prospects for future success. However, despite some progress in rebuilding, the franchise’s refusal to spend significantly on talent has kept them from returning to postseason glory.
Interestingly, two of the most iconic members of that 2016 championship team—Kris Bryant and Javier Báez—are now seen as having two of the worst contracts in Major League Baseball, according to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter. While the Cubs have moved on from these players, they likely feel relieved that they avoided taking on these financially burdensome deals, which have quickly turned into regrettable investments.
Kris Bryant: A Contract Disaster for the Rockies
Kris Bryant was a key figure in the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series victory, winning both the NL Rookie of the Year and NL MVP in consecutive years. He was widely considered one of the top talents in baseball. However, his career trajectory has taken a steep downturn since he left Chicago.
Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Colorado Rockies in 2022. However, this contract quickly became a subject of concern. The Rockies, seemingly bidding against themselves, handed out a contract to a player who wasn’t going to transform their team into a contender. Over his first three years in Colorado, Bryant has played just 159 games, accumulating a minus-1.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). He has struggled at the plate, posting a lackluster .250/.332/.381 slash line and a OPS+ of 89—significantly below league average.
With $108 million remaining on his contract over the next four years, Bryant’s deal has quickly become one of the worst investments in recent MLB history, making him a candidate for one of the least productive $100 million deals ever. His injury-plagued tenure in Colorado has been a far cry from the high expectations set for him, and his once-promising career now seems to be heading in a negative direction.
Javier Báez: Struggling to Live Up to Expectations in Detroit
Javier Báez was another key contributor to the Cubs’ World Series win, with his elite defense and powerful bat being integral parts of the team’s success. However, his career has also taken a hit since leaving Chicago.
Báez signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Detroit Tigers in 2022, with the hope that he would become a foundational piece for the Tigers’ rebuilding efforts. Unfortunately, Báez’s production has been far below expectations. Over the first three years of the contract, Báez has hit just .221/.262/.347, resulting in a 71 OPS+. His offensive struggles have been particularly glaring, and his performance took a severe downturn in 2024, where he posted an alarming .184 batting average and 46 OPS+ before undergoing season-ending hip surgery.
While Báez’s struggles have been primarily offensive, the one silver lining for him compared to Bryant is that he has managed to stay on the field. However, his continued poor performance and injuries have made his contract one of the worst in the league. His struggles in Detroit serve as a stark contrast to the bright future he once seemed destined for in Chicago.
Cubs’ Relief: Avoiding Major Contract Headaches
As the Cubs continue their rebuilding efforts, they likely look at Bryant and Báez’s contracts with a sense of relief. While both players were once the faces of the franchise, their massive contracts now represent the financial risks that can come with paying top dollar to aging stars. The Cubs may have moved on from them at just the right time, sparing themselves from the negative impact these contracts have had on the Rockies and Tigers, respectively.
For Cubs fans, while the team continues its search for a way back to contention, the mistakes of their former players’ big-money deals serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the world of baseball contracts.
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