4 Worst Contracts in Cubs History

With MLB's offseason set to kick into full gear after the winter meetings, the Chicago Cubs expect to be in the market for both starting and relief pitching as well as a veteran bat.

Unfortunately for the Wrigley Field faithful, the Cubbies have a woeful track record when it comes to handing out cash to breakout stars and free agents, and these four historically bad contracts should have Chicago fans feeling wary as we head into December.

4. Alfonso Soriano

In case you were wondering, no, two All-Star campaigns isn't enough to justify Soriano's trendsetting eight-year, $136 million contract that the Cubs gave him in 2006. We understand chicks dig the long ball, but clubbing home runs was the only thing Soriano was consistent with during his six-plus seasons in the Windy City. He never lived up to his 30-30 projections and drove in over 100 runs just once. Not to mention, he endured a colossal drop-off in defensive efficiency as a Cub.

3. LaTroy Hawkins

If you look closely, you will notice that Hawkins is the individual posted next to Webster's definition of inconsistent. Though his deal with the Cubs -- three years for $11 million -- isn't all that pricey, the highly-touted reliever never delivered for Chicago when they needed him most. In 2004, his first season with the club, he blew nine saves, two of which came in late September that cost the Cubs the NL Wild Card. Fans at Wrigley Field never forgave Hawkins after that and harassed him with boos whenever he was summoned from the bullpen. By 2005, he was offloaded to the Giants.

2. Kosuke Fukudome

It doesn't please us to come down on the Cubs for giving Fukudome a four-year, $48 million contract back in 2007 as countless scouts predicted him to be the next breakout star to come over from Japan. However, they ultimately pulled the trigger and that contract deserves to make this list. To say that Fukudome didn't live up to his billing wouldn't even begin to describe his shortcomings in Chicago. His best campaign came in 2010 when he slashed .263/.371/.439 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI. In 2011, the Cubs traded him to Cleveland for a small collection of minor league prospects.

1. Todd Hundley

By 1997 (his fifth full season in MLB), Hundley was a two-time All-Star had established himself as one of the league's best catchers. In 2001, the Cubs rewarded his production with a four-year, $23.5 million contract and to say that he was woeful since arriving to the Windy City would be putting his struggles kindly. That year, he hit .187/.268/.374 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI. He improved the following season, but not by much, as he batted .211/.301/.421 with 16 homers. Further, Hundley was caught (on several occasions) flipping the bird to Chicago fans who rightfully jeered him. What makes his tenure all the more pitiful is the fact that he's the son of Randy Hundley, arguably the greatest catcher in Cubs history. What more needs to be said?