4 Worst Contracts in Yankees History

The New York Yankees, at least before Hal Steinbrenner took over, were never shy to spend the big bucks. But perhaps Hal's first massive contact now has him gun shy, because it's arguably the worst in team history.

Everyone knows Jacoby Ellsbury's monstrous deal turned out to be a disaster, so in the wake of his release, let's take a look at the four worst contracts in Yankees' history.

4. Kei Igawa

The Yanks paid $46 million for Igawa ($20 million contract and $26 million posting fee for his former Japanese club) and it amounted to nothing. The left-hander signed a five-year deal, but pitched a total of 16 games over two seasons, logging a terrible 6.66 ERA and 1.76 WHIP.

3. Alex Rodriguez

Hear us out. Yes, over the course of this 10-year, $275 million contract, A-Rod helped the Yankees win a World Series and he won an MVP in 2007, but the latter half of it was a disaster. Rodriguez was busted for PED use and missed the entire 2014 season, played in just 99 games in 2011, 44 in 2013 and 65 in 2016 before the Yankees pretty much asked him to not play in his final year. They paid him $21 million that season to be a special adviser to GM Brian Cashman.

2. Carl Pavano

Carl Pavano got $40 million over four years, but the right-hander made just 26 starts in Pinstripes over the course of his deal, mainly due to injuries. He registered a 5.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP before landing in Minnesota, where in 2010 he led the MLB in complete games with seven.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

Seven years and $153 million. All that money for 520 games and a .386 slugging percentage. Injuries plagued Ellsbury's time in the Bronx, but even when he was healthy, he only logged one good year with the Yanks and it came in 2014, which was the first time the team failed to make the postseason in consecutive years since ... 1993-1994. Ugh.