Alex Rodriguez vs. Albert Pujols: Who’s the worse deal? [Poll]

Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols. Two big names in baseball with two huge contracts. Mind-blowingly huge contracts.

The New York Yankees and the Angels. Two teams stuck with two big-name players who haven’t lived up to their mind-blowingly huge contracts. Not even close.

But which team is stuck with the worse deal?

Back in 2007, the Yankees re-signed A-Rod for 10 years and $275 million even though they were basically bidding against themselves. Still, they had secured a superstar who was still in his prime.

At first, the deal seemed to be working out. Rodriguez batted .286 with a .537 slugging percentage, 95 home runs, 256 runs and 328 RBIs for the $95 million he earned in the first three years of the deal. Even more importantly, he played a key role in the postseason run that led to the 2009 World Series championship.

But then the bottom fell out. His production declined to the point he was benched more than once during the 2012 postseason. And then there’s the scandals. After already admitting to using steroids earlier in his career, Rodriguez could now face up to a lifetime ban for his allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs.

Depending on the outcome of the latest scandal, the Yankees could owe their third baseman up to $89 million through 2017, when he will be 42 by the end of the season.

The Angels lured Pujols away from the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent before the 2012 off-season, signing him to a 10-year, $240-million contract. After a slow start, the two-time World Series champ ended up putting together a solid first season with the Angels, batting .285 with 30 home runs and 105 RBIs.

Playing mostly designated hitter this season, Pujols was just starting to heat up at the plate, going 12 for 34 (.353) with two home runs and seven RBIs in eight games after the All-Star break. But he suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his left foot Friday night, an injury that likely will leave the Angels without the slugger for the rest of the season.

The Angels still have another eight years and $212 million invested in the 33-year-old Pujols after 2013.

So which team, the Yankees or Angels, is stuck with the worse contract? Please vote in the poll and leave a comment letting us know why.

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