From the moment it was signed in the winter following the 2014 season, most observers predicted that there would come a point where Giancarlo Stanton’s 13-year, $325 million contract would be a burden more than a bargain. Nearing the finish line with an 89 wRC+ this season that will be the lowest of his career by nearly 30 points, it’s seems as if we’ve reached that point.
Stanton signed well-deserved contract extension at the time, and while he’s technically underperformed it in terms of dollars per WAR, that wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for the system that paid him just $7.