![]() Since the biggest risk of reinjury is a history of injury, minor problems can quickly turn into bigger ones, robbing a player of power and performance. Though he is younger than the average free agent, the 26-year old Harper has had his share of injuries – hip, knee, thumb, neck, shoulder – most notably a gruesome knee hyperextension in 2017 that was the result of slipping on a wet base. Or, of course, the result of the repetitive stress of throwing a ball 95mph or swinging a bat hundreds of times a day. In baseball, like other sports, injuries are difficult to prevent – collisions with other players, being hit by a pitch, or an awkward dive in the outfield, can all put a player on the disabled list (for the 2019 season, it’s now called the injured list). Herniated discs in his neck forced an early retirement.Īnd for players signed to these long-term deals, the longer the contract, the greater the likelihood that injury will ultimately strike. Prince Fielder – nine years, $214m: signed by the Detroit Tigers, traded to the Texas Rangers. Injuries, particularly foot problems, have diminished his production to the replacement player level over the past several seasons. Miguel Cabrera – 10 years, $275m: a herniated disc in his neck forced a premature end to the 2017 season and most of 2018 was lost to a torn biceps tendon.Īlbert Pujols – 10 years, $240m: given his age at signing, 32, this one might have been doomed from the start. Recent free agent history is full of such cautionary tales. Why? Well, 13 years is a long-time and life happens, namely injuries. Risk averse teams are increasingly reluctant to hand out large sums of money to players they don’t believe will deliver on the goods years down the line. But, for baseball, the concern hasn’t been over paying stupid money, but rather for paying stupid money for a stupid amount of time.
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