That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: A case study of previous $200+million hitters

By Josh Starr

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 4: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees waits in the dugout before the start of a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 4, 2015 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 4: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees waits in the dugout before the start of a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 4, 2015 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
Phillies
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees hits a one run double in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez signed two $200 million contracts in his career. The first came with the Rangers in 2001 and the second came with the Yankees in 2007.

The first contract: 10 years, $252 million

How it worked out: Rodriguez was outstanding for the Rangers. He played in all but one game in his three seasons with Texas and put up big numbers. He hit .305 with 156 home runs and 395 RBI in Texas. His production earned him three All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, and the 2003 AL MVP award.

Rodriguez was one of the best players in the league during his time in Texas, but the team decided the money was too much and in 2004, the Rangers shipped him to New York after three seasons. In his first three seasons in the Bronx, Rodriguez hit 119 home runs and knocked in 357 runs. He added another AL MVP to his name in 2005 after he hit .321 with 48 home runs and 130 RBI.

After three seasons in New York, Rodriguez opted out of his contract and signed another big deal with the Yankees.

The second contract: 10 years, $275 million

How it worked out: In 2007, his first year after signing the new contract, Rodriguez earned his third AL MVP award. That season, he hit .314 with 54 home runs and 156 RBI.

From 2008 to 2010, Rodriguez had at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI each season and contributed to a World Series title in 2009.

However, after 2010, there was a steady decline in production. The end of his tenure in New York was riddled by injuries and a suspension for PEDs that cost him the 2014 season.

From 2011 to 2016, Rodriguez hit more than 20 home runs only once. That was in 2015 after he returned from the suspension and hit 33 home runs, knocking in 86 runs. He played out the tenth and final year of the contract in 2016, playing in just 65 games and hitting .200 with nine home runs and 31 RBI.

Home/Phillies News