By April 2026, the Baltimore Orioles are a very different team from what they were a decade ago. The roster is built around young players who are already making an impact. Names like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Ryan Mountcastle, Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers, and Leody Taveras are now leading the way.The team has also added experienced players like Pete Alonso and Ryan Helsley to support that core. This version of the Orioles is careful with money and focused on long-term growth. But even now, one old decision still follows the team.That decision was the seven-year, $161 million contract given to Chris Davis in 2016. At the time, it looked like the team was keeping its best power hitter. Now, it is remembered very differently.
ESPN ranks the deal among the worst ever
ESPN analyst Bradford Doolittle ranked the worst free-agent contracts in MLB history. In that list, Davis’ deal is placed second. Only the contract signed by Barry Zito with the San Francisco Giants is considered worse.This ranking is based on numbers. It looks at how much money was paid, how long the contract lasted, and how much value the player gave back. Davis’ deal scores very poorly in all three areas.
The contract still affects the Baltimore Orioles today
Baltimore Orioles Chris Davis (Image via Getty)
The deal covered the 2016 to 2022 seasons and paid Davis about $23 million per year while he played. But the payments did not stop after he left the field.The Orioles still owe $42 million in deferred money. These payments will continue until 2037. That means the team is still paying Chris Davis years after his career ended.This situation is similar to the famous case of Bobby Bonilla. Even in 2026, the Orioles are still dealing with this contract on their books.
What happened on the field
When Chris Davis signed the deal, his recent numbers made the move look fair. He had hit 53 home runs in 2013 and 47 in 2015. He also had a strong .923 OPS in 2015.But his performance dropped soon after. • 2016: 38 home runs, .792 OPS, 3.0 bWAR • 2017: 96 OPS+, -0.4 bWAR • 2018: 49 OPS+, -3.3 bWAR • 2019-2020: very low production, including a .115 average and .337 OPS in 2020Instead of staying productive, Davis struggled badly. Over the full contract, he finished with about -2.8 bWAR. That is a very poor return for such a large deal.
How it compares to Barry Zito’s deal
Barry Zito’s contract is still ranked as the worst. During his time with the Giants, he had a 63-80 record and an ERA+ of 87. That means he performed below league average.There are some clear differences between the two deals.First, Chris Davis declined much faster. Within a few seasons, he went from a strong hitter to one of the least effective players in the league.Second, the Orioles felt the impact more. They do not have the same financial strength as bigger teams, so the contract hurt their rebuild more.Because of this, Davis’ deal is seen as slightly better than Zito’s, but still one of the worst ever.
The effect on the Baltimore Orioles’ rebuild
When Mike Elias took over in 2018, the Orioles were already dealing with this contract. It limited what the team could do and became a symbol of past mistakes.The current team is built differently. Players like Henderson, Rutschman, and Cowser represent a new direction. The front office now focuses on young talent and smarter spending.The Chris Davis deal shows how different the old approach was from the current one.
Why the contract ranks so low
There are a few clear reasons why this deal is ranked near the bottom. • The total value was very high • The contract lasted a long time • Performance dropped quickly • The player produced negative value • The team is still paying the contract years laterOther contracts, like those of Stephen Strasburg, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rendon, are also considered poor. But Davis’ deal stands out because it combines all these problems.
The lesson for the current Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles today are in a much better place. Their lineup is strong, and their spending is more controlled. Players like Henderson and Rutschman are leading the team, while additions like Alonso provide balance.Still, the Davis contract has not fully gone away. The team is still paying for it, and it remains a reminder of what can go wrong.Also read: MLB trade rumors: Miami Marlins could put $56 million superstar on trade block following dominant start to 2026 seasonThat is why this deal is still seen as the second-worst free-agent contract in MLB history. It involved a large amount of money, a long commitment, and a sharp drop in performance. Even years later, the impact is still there.
