No right-handed pitcher had surpassed the $105MM contract that Kevin Brown signed in 1998 until this week, when the Giants locked up one of the National League’s best starters. Now that Brown’s contract has been erased from the books, current players hold the record for every position. Let’s check in on the biggest deals in baseball history by position:
Right-handed pitcher: Matt Cain signed for five years and $112.5MM in April, 2012.
Left-handed pitcher: C.C. Sabathia signed for seven years and $161MM in December, 2008.
Relief pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon signed for four years and $50MM in November, 2011.
Catcher: Joe Mauer signed for eight years and $184MM in March, 2010.
First base: Albert Pujols signed for ten years and $240MM in December, 2011.
Second base: Chase Utley signed for seven years and $85MM in January, 2007.
Third base: Alex Rodriguez signed for ten years and $275MM in December, 2007.
Shortstop: Alex Rodriguez signed for ten years and $252MM in December, 2000.
Outfield: Manny Ramirez signed for eight years and $160MM in December, 2000. Matt Kemp signed for eight years and $160MM in November, 2011.