Which baseball player has the most expensive contract in MLB history?

April 11, 2014 (Press-News.org) While Major League Baseball (MLB) has seen excessive contracts in the past, a recent 10-year agreement between Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers has been deemed "excessive" and "unnecessary."

Now, Miguel Cabrera will be the highest-paid athlete in professional baseball history. His 10-year sports contract, which sits at $292 million, even surpasses Alex Rodriguez's $275 million agreement. Yet, however absurd the deal appears on the surface, professional athletes and their representatives maintain that baseball is notorious for illogical financial contracts.

The sport is known for securing outrageous contracts for players, which often last multiple years, frequently carrying into a time period where players are past their prime. Specifically, history suggests that over a 10-year period, players decline in performance. In fact, very few active roster baseball players reach their 40th birthdays. As a result, some say these enormous contracts are poor investments.

In fact, according to Yahoo! Sports, only six players in MLB history have produced enough during ages 33 through 40 to cover the risk of such a hefty contract. However, unlike Cabrera, none played first base, which experts say is a very value-diminishing spot.

Regardless of the risk (or financial flub), for the time being, the player does provide significant value for the Detroit Tigers. He has won the American League MVP award two years in a row. At this time, he is also generally acknowledged to be the best pure hitter in baseball. Nevertheless, even the best of the best professional athletes tend to fight a harsh battle against father time.

Sports contract negotiation in California

At the end of the day, there is no calculation or formula capable of predicting the success of any particular sports contract. Only time will tell. However, one thing is for sure -- strong contract negotiation will ultimately assist the financial interests of the professional athlete. In this particular case, even if the Tigers are at a loss, Cabrera definitely is not.

In addition to their player contracts, athletes must also consider other important issues related to their professional development and growth. Major League Baseball players are more than just players; they are also local heroes and national celebrities. Many athletes, including Cabrera, will have other financial opportunities, including endorsement contracts, branding campaigns and other media-related agreements that can generate significant additional revenues to the athletes.

Ultimately, Cabrera did not just get lucky as his mega-contract was earned by his performance on the field. He also had ample professional support in locking down his big deal. If you are a professional athlete who hopes to secure favorable and successful revenue generating contracts and agreements within the ambit of your professional interests, speak with an entertainment and sports law attorney in the area.

Article provided by Entertainment, Intellectual Property, Internet & New Media Law Group
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