Building a Lineup of the Best Value Contracts in Baseball

Almost every MLB team has at least one bad-value contract, but what outshines poor deals for any club is when they attain (or retain) franchise-changing players on very good-value deals.

It’s hard for teams to win when their hands are tied with deals in which they are overpaying their players. Small-market teams struggle to survive with such deals.

Yet, finding good-value deals is easier said than done, of course, as teams must balance a player’s current production with what they expect from him over the life of the contract. The best bargains often come when a player exceeds those expectations.

Our very own Peter and Aram recently dove into the best-value contracts in baseball on an episode of The JB Show. Now, we’re taking a closer look at some of the league’s best bargains.

For this exercise, we avoided players on one-year deals and players in arbitration. Each of these players signed an extension or a free agent contract.

Stats as of games on September 5.

Catcher

Aram and Peter’s Pick: Alejandro Kirk (5 years, $58 million)

Alejandro Kirk is in the first year of his new deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. With the catcher making just north of $11 million, he has the best value contract at his position.

In his limited time playing this year, Kirk has posted a 110 wRC+. The Blue Jays have obviously not had the season they’ve wanted, and being down a player who tallied a 4.7 fWAR in 130 games last season for a significant portion of 2026 is certainly a big reason for that.

Kirk is one of the best defensive catchers in the game in terms of blocking and framing, while providing a solid boost offensively.

A few months ago, this would likely not be the pick. Prior to the All-Star break, Kirk was hitting .202 with a .588 OPS. Since the break, he’s hitting .321 with an .870 OPS.

The biggest problem for Toronto’s backstop is staying healthy, but there’s no denying his value as a catcher when he’s healthy and able to contribute to the Blue Jays every day.

First Base

Aram’s Pick: Matt Olson (8 years, $168 million)

Matt Olson has been one of the most consistent and reliable players in baseball since coming to Atlanta. The 32-year-old hasn’t missed a game since coming to the Braves, while providing constant production in the heart of their order.

Olson has mashed 37 homers this year after two “down years” in which he was unable to eclipse 30 homers following his league-leading 54-home run season in 2023.

This season he sports a slash line of .252/.326/.515 with a 127 wRC+. Olson brings more than just an elite bat to Atlanta; he’s also a three-time Gold Glove winner at first base, winning his most recent honor last season.

For just $22 million each season, the Braves are getting one of the best defensive players at his position, with the potential to surpass 40 homers every year. Olson’s under contract through 2029, with a club option for 2030.

Peter’s Pick: Willson Contreras (5 years, $87.5 million)

Since his move to Boston, Willson Contreras’ bat has found a level we’ve never seen from him before. Contreras inked his bargain deal with the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2023 season, and he was traded to the Red Sox this past offseason.

In Boston, he’s become one of the best hitters in all of baseball. He has posted a 150 wRC+ this season, the third-best mark in all of baseball.

The four-time All-Star has posted a 37 batting run value, per Baseball Savant, which puts him in the 99th percentile. The Red Sox certainly love that they are paying one of the best hitters in all of baseball just $17.5 million per year.

The 34-year-old is slashing .274/.384/.516 with 26 homers, while playing above-average defense at first base. If Contreras can carry this offensive production into the last few seasons of his contract, it will remain one of the best value deals in baseball.

Second Base

Aram and Peter’s Pick: JJ Wetherholt (8 years, $112.5 million)

The St. Louis Cardinals wanted to jump the gun and pay JJ Wetherholt before it was too late, and that decision already looks like it’s going to pay dividends.

Wetherholt has made the transition to being a full-time second baseman, and he has been one of the best defensive players in all of baseball this season. The rookie produced a remarkable 22 OAA before landing on the IL at the end of August.

The offensive numbers haven’t been popping off the screen just yet for Wetherholt, but he’s still been above-average at the plate. He has a .713 OPS and a 104 wRC+, which is still impressive from a 23-year-old rookie., In 130 games, he has a 4.4 fWAR.

The floor for Wetherholt has been set. He is a perennial Gold Glove candidate who will be a very productive hitter even at his worst. However, the underlying numbers prove his bat will likely be elite.

Wetherholt is in the 83rd percentile in xwOBA and the 72nd percentile in xSLG while being a hitter who rarely chases and doesn’t strike out much. With his AAV of around $14 million, the Cardinals will likely be home to one of the best contracts in baseball for a long time.

Third Base

Aram’s Pick: José Ramírez (7 years, $175 million)

The Guardians don’t hand out many big deals, but for José Ramírez, they needed to hand over a big-time contract. The six-time Silver Slugger’s bat has declined this year, but he’s still been a productive player for Cleveland.

Even with his bat regressing and him missing a good chunk of games, Ramírez has still logged a 2.3 fWAR. The 33-year-old has stolen 31 bags this year, while bringing his club plus defense at the hot corner.

Ramírez missed about a month of the season with a wrist injury, and it’s hard to imagine the wrist hasn’t been nagging him for a good part of the campaign. His OPS has dropped nearly 150 points to .714 this season, which is his lowest mark since 2015.

Even in the midst of one of the worst offensive seasons of his career, Ramírez is one of Cleveland’s most valuable players. He is still well worth an AAV of $25 million (before deferrals). Expect him to bounce back offensively in 2027 and return to being one of the most valuable players in the game.

Peter’s Pick: Maikel Garcia (5 years, $57.5 million)

The Royals inked Maikel Garcia to a five-year deal and avoided arbitration this past offseason. Following a season in which he accumulated a 5.7 fWAR, Kansas City was able to lock him up at a very cost-effective $11.5 million annual price tag.

Garcia has not found the same offensive production this season as he did in his breakout 2025 campaign. His OPS has dropped 91 points from .800 to .709. Even in a down year, he’s still produced a 1.7 fWAR over 73 games.

The Royals will not be discouraged with a down year from the 26-year-old. Garcia has battled injuries and has landed on the injured list two times this season. When healthy, the Royals could be getting an All-Star, five-win player. For just over $2 million per win added, that’s tremendous value.

The Royals have another four years (along with a club option) of the left-most side of their infield locked down at a very reasonable price. Garcia will likely rebound offensively while bringing Gold Glove-level defense to the hot corner in Kansas City.

Shortstop

Aram’s Pick: Kevin McGonigle (8 years, $150 million)

When the Detroit Tigers and Kevin McGonigle agreed on a contract, the rookie was only 21 years old. Just weeks into his MLB career, the Tigers were willing to hand him $150 million.

The gamble is worth it, though, for Detroit. They cleared out five years of arbitration and locked him up past that for his age-27 through age-29 seasons. With a price tag just below $19 million a year, it’s safe to assume McGonigle could be the best value deal in all of baseball for years to come.

Even as a now-22-year-old rookie, McGonigle is worth more than his current AAV. He currently has a 4.6 fWAR while holding a .272/.372/.410 slash line.

An impressive aspect of his young breakout is his strikeout and walk rates. He strikes out just as much as he walks. According to Baseball Savant, he’s in the 93rd percentile in walk rate and in the 89th in strikeout rate. His chase rates are in the 98th percentile. For such a young hitter, his plate discipline at the highest level is truly remarkable.

When comparing McGonigle to other shortstops, his fWAR is just behind Bobby Witt Jr. and Elly De La Cruz. The sky is the limit for what McGonigle can ultimately blossom into, and the Tigers won’t have to worry about paying him again until 2035.

Peter’s Pick: Geraldo Perdomo (4 years, $45 million)

The Arizona Diamondbacks are home to several very team-friendly deals, and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo might be the best contract on their books.

Last season was a breakout year for Arizona’s shortstop. He slashed .290/.389/.462 while hitting 20 homers and knocking in 100 runs. He amassed a 7.1 fWAR in 161 games. He was one of the most durable and reliable players in baseball last season, earning the honor of Silver Slugger and receiving MVP consideration.

Perdomo is just 26 years old and has already solidified himself as one of the most valuable players in baseball. He walks at a 13.9% clip while only striking out in 12.4% of plate appearances. If he can work on hitting the ball a bit harder, he will establish himself as a very dangerous hitter.

Perdomo’s wRC+ has taken a dip from 139 to 107, but he still has a 3.9 fWAR because of his stellar play at shortstop. For a little over $11 million annually, the Diamondbacks will gladly take a player who will surpass a four-win season.

Outfield

Aram’s Pick: Pete Crow-Armstrong (6 years, $115 million)

Pete Crow-Armstrong might be the biggest slam dunk for this exercise. At around $19 million a season, PCA has the best value contract in all of baseball right now.

Last season was filled with a lot of ups and downs for the Cubs center fielder. He had stretches where he showed a preview of what was to come this season. He also had stretches where he looked like a glove-first outfielder.

In 2026, Crow-Armstrong is the MVP frontrunner by a fairly wide margin. PCA is putting together one of the best defensive seasons in the history of the league. He’s recorded 24 OAA while roaming center field for Chicago. At the same time, he leads the National League in SLG, OPS, and OPS+.

Due to his defensive prowess and his bat becoming one of the best in baseball, he has a 9.5 fWAR, by far the best in baseball, with Ohtani in second place at 6.8.

At less than $20 million annually, the Cubs are getting a player who is likely to take an MVP from Shohei Ohtani. PCA has the best glove in baseball and a 158 wRC+, which is the second-highest in the majors.

Peter’s Pick: Corbin Carroll (8 years, $111 million)

Another Arizona Diamondbacks contract that finds the list belongs to another one of the best young players in baseball: Corbin Carroll. Carroll just turned 26 and has already earned three All-Star nods, a Silver Slugger, and, of course, Rookie of the Year.

Carroll has already shown how good he can be. He’s capable of a 140 wRC+ season with an OPS in the high .800s. At the same time, he can wreck the game with his speed on the bases as well as providing elite defense in right field.

Similar to his teammate on this list, he’s taken quite a step back offensively in 2026, but still has a 4.2 fWAR. At his floor, Carroll’s deal is great value. At his ceiling, he’s undoubtedly one of the best value contracts in all of sports.

At just shy of $14 million annually, the Diamondbacks are getting a young franchise superstar to be in the heart of their lineup.

Designated Hitter

Aram and Peter’s Pick: Yordan Alvarez (6 years, $115 million)

Just like PCA’s deal, this one is a no-brainer. Yordan Alvarez is the undisputed best hitter in baseball this season, and it’s not particularly close.

Alvarez leads the American League in home runs, RBIs, batting average, slugging, OBP, OPS, walks, OPS+ and wRC+. It’s hard to imagine where the Astros and their lineup would be without one of the greatest offensive seasons in recent memory in the heart of the order.

Alvarez, who isn’t exactly a burner on the bases or a Gold Glover when he does see time in left field, has swung his bat to the tune of a 6.0 fWAR. He has a 181 wRC+, which is 23 points higher than second-place PCA.

One look at Yordan’s Baseball Savant page, and it shows the Astros superstar does nothing below-average at the dish. He has a .450 xwOBA, .654 xSLG, and 53.3% hard-hit rate.

For only around $19 million annually, the Astros have the best hitter in baseball. Alvarez has two more years under contract and is at a bargain price for being the most feared hitter in the game.

Starting Pitcher

Aram and Peter’s Pick: Cristopher Sánchez (6 years, $104 million)

The Phillies did some bargain shopping when they plucked Cristopher Sánchez away from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019. The contract extensions that they later agreed to might have been even more of a bargain.

Philadelphia’s ace earned an All-Star selection in 2024 but was only scratching the surface of his production. Following that season, he inked a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Phillies. The very next season, he turned in a Cy Young runner-up season while making just $4.5 million annually. The Phillies did right by Sánchez and gave him a new six-year deal.

The Phillies’ star sports a 2.58 ERA and a 2.56 xFIP in 2026. Sánchez is striking out 27.5% of hitters while walking just 5.6%. He leads all MLB pitchers with a 5.9 fWAR.

Sánchez has turned in another Cy Young-caliber season in 2026. His ground ball rate is still hovering above 58%, but he’s brought his K/9 up from 9.45 to 10.27. Sánchez’s changeup is one of the best pitches in baseball, and his ability to dominate with a three-pitch mix is marvelous.

The AAV on his new contract is around $17.3 million (with deferrals that lower the number), and that’s more than a steal for a perennial Cy Young candidate. The Phillies are pleased to have their 29-year-old ace signed through the 2033 season.

Relief Pitcher

Aram’s Pick: Andrés Muñoz (4 years, $7.5 million)

While 2026 has not been the year Andrés Muñoz was hoping for, the value of his contract still makes it worth it for the Mariners.

Muñoz has a 4.21 ERA this season with a 1.169 WHIP. However, he has a 3.20 xERA and is still striking out hitters at one of the best rates in the league. He’s got a 2.15 xFIP, which shows he’s been much more effective than his ERA might suggest.

Muñoz possesses a high-velocity fastball as well as a wicked slider that’s one of the most devastating pitches in the league. The pitch hasn’t had the same dominance this season, but the Mariners know his stuff is elite and he can return to being one of the best relievers in the game.

The contract value is high because of what he’s capable of bringing, and Seattle has two more years of club options worth a combined $18.5 million. The Mariners are hopeful this combination of a slight down year and some bad luck is just an outlier season for their dominant closer.

Peter’s Pick: Tyler Rogers (3 years, $37 million)

Tyler Rogers is one of the most entertaining arms in baseball to watch. His unconventional delivery and two-pitch mix make him a very unique reliever at the back end of the Blue Jays’ bullpen.

The Jays reliever has posted a 1.87 ERA while having one of the lowest strikeout rates in the league. His ability to consistently miss barrels is what makes him so effective.

According to his Baseball Savant page, his average exit velocity is 84.3 mph, which puts him in the 99th percentile. Similarly, he only gets barreled 1.5% of the time, while recording a 63.9% groundball rate. Both marks rank him in the 100th percentile.

With two years left at just above $12 million, it’s hard to imagine the 35-year-old reliever taking a step back. Due to his pitching style, his sinker averages just 83.3 mph, so losing velocity isn’t a concern.

Toronto can effectively piggyback closer Louis Varland off setup man Rogers. Their two very different styles of pitching ultimately make Varland even more dominant.