The awful contract that could hold every MLB team back this offseason

Arizona’s bet on Burnes

Arizona signed Corbin Burnes after the 2024 season to strengthen the front of its rotation. He started well, but Tommy John surgery after 11 starts sidelined him for the rest of that season and nearly all of 2026.

Burnes returned for three starts in 2026 and looked rusty in September. He opted into the rest of his contract, leaving the Diamondbacks to hope he can again deliver ace-level results; the account says a better alternative is unlikely to be affordable.

Severino and the Athletics

The Athletics signed Luis Severino after he stayed healthy and posted a strong-looking ERA with the New York Mets in 2024. The account says that figure was less impressive beneath the surface.

Severino has disliked pitching in Sacramento’s Minor League park, and his home and road results have differed sharply. The Athletics have not built a functional rotation around him and face another year paying more than $20 million for a below-average starter.

Atlanta’s costly catcher

Sean Murphy’s deal may be a greater concern for Atlanta than Austin Riley’s, despite Riley being the highest-paid player in Braves history. Murphy is due $15 million annually for the next three years.

After a strong first season with Atlanta, Murphy played only 199 games across the following three seasons, hitting .194 with a .656 OPS. The account describes him as an injury-prone, unproductive backup catcher and questions whether the Braves could move his contract without including another asset.

Baltimore and Boston commitments

The account argues that Baltimore could use the money elsewhere, including to improve its rotation. Boston’s Trevor Story is also cited: he hit .203 and appeared in 43 games in his first season with the Red Sox, and the account says more than $23 million in salary remains for 2027.