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Ranking the 5 worst Seattle Mariners contracts in recent history

By Christopher O'Day

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 14: Carlos Silva of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas on May 14, 2008. The Mariners defeated the Rangers 4-3 in 12 innings. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 14: Carlos Silva of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas on May 14, 2008. The Mariners defeated the Rangers 4-3 in 12 innings. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Mariners Chone Figgins
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 05: Chone Figgins #9 of the Seattle Mariners in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 5, 2012 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Mariners 6-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

#2: Chone Figgins: 2010-2012: 4 years/$36 million (paid final year of deal)

I wanted Figgins to be good so badly. I’ve always had a soft spot for the little speedy/scrappy guy who can play defense. I’m 6’6″, but still like watching those little guys. I have to admit, I was really excited when he got signed. I’d long been a fan of his while he was on the Angels, and was ecstatic when he came to the Mariners.

The first year with Seattle wasn’t even that bad. It wasn’t great, but he still hit .259/.340/.306 with 42 steals. We all hoped it was a blip, and that he would improve for the rest of the contract. I never expected that he would put up a statline like he did his final year in LA (.298/.395/.393, 114 R, 42 SB, 7 3Bs, 101 BBs, 4.8 oWAR, 3.3 dWAR, 7.7 WAR), but getting seasons in the 3.0 WAR range seemed reasonable, and that contract had the potential to be a steal if he did.

Instead, his career was pretty much over after that first season in Seattle. In the next two seasons, he would tally 147 Games Played, a slash line of .185/.249/.253, an OPS+ of 45, and just 15/22 on SB attempts. The fact that they had to pay out the final year of the deal made it worse, meaning they paid all $36 million for a player that gave them -0.9 WAR in three seasons.

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