As a sports fan, it`s always exciting to see a team invest in top talent. However, sometimes those investments don`t pay off, leaving fans wondering just what went wrong. The Atlanta Braves are no exception, having signed their fair share of high-priced contracts that ultimately fell short of expectations. In this article, we`ll explore some of the worst contracts in Braves history.
1. B.J. Upton – In 2013, the Braves signed B.J. Upton to a five-year, $75 million contract, hoping to see the kind of performance he had delivered with the Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately, Upton struggled mightily in Atlanta, hitting just .198 over two seasons before being traded to the San Diego Padres. The Braves ended up paying $46.35 million for just 267 games of Upton`s below-average play.
2. Derek Lowe – In 2009, the Braves inked Derek Lowe to a four-year, $60 million deal after he helped lead the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title. Lowe had a solid first season in Atlanta, but his performance steadily declined over the next three years, culminating in a 5.05 ERA in 2011. The Braves ended up eating $10 million of Lowe`s contract when they traded him to the Cleveland Indians.
3. Dan Uggla – In 2011, the Braves acquired Dan Uggla from the Florida Marlins for four players, including Omar Infante and Mike Dunn. They then promptly signed him to a five-year, $62 million extension. Uggla had been a consistent power hitter in the past, but his time in Atlanta was marked by a sharp decline in production. Over three and a half seasons, Uggla hit just .209 with a .671 OPS before being released in 2014. The Braves still owe him $13 million for the 2015 season.
4. Kenshin Kawakami – In 2009, the Braves signed Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year, $23 million contract. Unfortunately, Kawakami struggled to adjust to the MLB, posting a 5.15 ERA over two seasons before being banished to the minors. The Braves ended up eating the final year of his contract and releasing him in 2011.
5. Melvin Upton Jr. – The brother of B.J. Upton, Melvin Upton Jr. signed a five-year, $75.25 million deal with the Braves in 2013. Like his sibling, Upton Jr. struggled mightily in Atlanta, hitting just .198 over his first two seasons with the team. He hit better in 2015, but was still a far cry from the player the Braves thought they were getting. Upton Jr. was eventually traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, with the Braves picking up a significant portion of his remaining contract.
In conclusion, while the Braves have had their share of successes over the years, they`ve also signed some contracts that didn`t pan out. From B.J. Upton`s disastrous stint in Atlanta to Dan Uggla`s precipitous decline, these deals ultimately cost the Braves more than just money. Hopefully, the team has learned from its missteps and will be more judicious with its investments in the future.
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