Alex Rodriguez does not have the worst remaining contract in the majors. Heck, there is at least one, probably two and — under the right scenario — possibly four more problematic pacts in the ongoing Angels-Yankees series alone.
Yep, it is hard to believe, but there are actually players the Yankees would not trade A-Rod for because — as odious as it might be to have a decaying, discredited player on the roster — it would be more troubling to have Albert Pujols and several others.
After this season, Rodriguez has four years at $86 million remaining. And that amount could be sliced considerably should an arbitrator uphold all or most of his 211-game suspension. For example, if Rodriguez is just banished for next year, the Yankees get out of $25 million. And then it is conceivable Rodriguez would not be able to come back in 2015 and if the Yankees were able to prove it was because of the degenerative state of his hips, they could recoup a significant portion of the $61 million owed from 2015-17 through insurance.
Consider after this season, the Yankees still owe CC Sabathia $76 million over three years and Mark Teixeira $67.5 million over three years. Neither is near the distraction Rodriguez is. But, in performance and health, both have shown the kind of decay that suggests this is not going to be money well spent.
So with A-Rod abdicating the throne of worst remaining contract, I decided to pick the five biggest albatross deals in the game (what remains on the contract after this season in parentheses):
1. Albert Pujols, Angels
(8 years, $212 million)
The Cardinals were never more blessed than when Pujols turned down their nine-year bid. St. Louis has adeptly moved on without one of its greatest-ever players. Conversely, the Angels probably knew the day they signed Pujols to the largest non-A-Rod contract ever — 10 years at $240 million — the back end would be disconcerting, since he was turning 32 before he played a day on this pact. But the counterbalance would be the greatness on the front end of the deal. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to greatness.
Pujols hit 30 homers last year, but it was still the worst season of his career. Then he was even more unproductive this season before succumbing to a plantar fascia tear that could keep him out the rest of the season. The Angels have been among the majors' most disappointing clubs with Pujols and, by the way, he is completing the "inexpensive" portion of his contract: $12 million last year, $16 million this season. Pujols makes $23 million next year and that salary graduates by $1 million annually until reaching $30 million in 2021, when Pujols will be 41. And there is another $20 million possible in milestone achievements and personal services. Plus, just for good measure, Jack Clark came out last week and accused Pujols of being a steroid user, which the first baseman vociferously denied to the point of saying he would sue Clark.
2. Ryan Braun, Brewers
(7 years, $117 million)
Part of the story line on Braun being suspended for the final 65 games this year was that he was lucky, in part, because he was making "only" $8.5 million. His salary increases considerably from here through 2020. And who knows what kind of PED-less performer Braun will be — if he ever does give up the PEDs, that is. If he is considerably worse or more brittle, Milwaukee is stuck having built its near future around a fraud.
3. Josh Hamilton, Angels
(4 years, $98 million)
You know it is bad news for a team to own slots 1 and 3 on this list. He is talented enough to still bring value to the deal. But between his always-worrisome drug past and general lack of impact this season at age 32, Hamilton's future falls into the scary category.
And as an aside: The Cardinals and Rangers played in the 2011 World Series. Pujols left in free agency soon after, Hamilton departed Texas last offseason. No one would be surprised if the 2013 World Series was St. Louis versus Texas. Just a thought as the Yankees ponder whether there is life after Robinson Cano.
4. Ryan Howard, Phillies
(3 years, $85 million)
The Phils have handed out many ill-fated contracts to try to extend what was a superb run from 2007-11, but none more so than Howard's five-year, $125 million extension — given with two years remaining on his previous pact. He has been out since early July with a meniscus tear and could miss the rest of the season. But it is his declining impact more than his fading health that is the problem.
5. B.J. Upton, Braves
(4 years, $62.8 million)
He showed some life off the disabled list early this month, but he has still not moved his batting average above .200 on a single day in the first season of a five-year, $75.25 million contract. There are hints he could lose playing time down the stretch for the playoff-bound Braves.
Honorable mention
Elvis Andrus, Rangers (9 years, $126.475 million): His offense has vanished and Texas just might have a better shortstop alternative in Jurickson Profar who is now blocked by Andrus' presence.
Prince Fielder, Tigers (7 years, $168 millon): Where has all the power gone?
Matt Kemp, Dodgers (6 years, $128 million): Carl Crawford is no longer the biggest question among expensive Dodgers outfielders. Here is the question: Will Kemp will ever stay healthy enough and perform like the guy we now know deserved to beat out Braun for the 2011 NL MVP?
joel.sherman@nypost.com
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