In Major League Baseball, teams are always searching for the next superstar. But what happens when that star comes with a history of injuries? Massive contracts are signed, press conferences are held, and then…the waiting game begins. Are teams making smart investments, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment?
The core issue, according to David Samson, is that MLB executives are too often seduced by the idea of a player, overlooking the glaring red flags of their injury history. Teams dream of championship parades, forgetting that even the shiniest stars can burst down. This isn’t just about a pulled hamstring; it’s about hundreds of millions of dollars, tied to players who might spend more time in rehab than on the field.
David Samson, never one to shy away from a strong opinion, laid it bare on his YouTube podcast, Nothing Personal with David Samson: “Because as executives we get seduced. You see what he does when he’s healthy and you say to yourself totally irrationally, ‘Wow we got this. This is his moment.’ Well, guess what? He never had a moment.” He pointed fingers, saying the Minnesota Twins and their history with injury-prone stars were among those who subscribed to such faulty logic. It’s a brutal, honest assessment from a man who’s been in the room where it happens.
Samson’s critique becomes more relevant when you examine specific cases, such as the Minnesota Twins’ handling of Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. When healthy, Buxton is a dazzling talent, and he signed a seven-year, $100 million extension in 2021. But his career has been a frustrating series of injuries, limiting him to exceeding 92 games in only one season. The other star shortstop, Correa, has dealt with injuries, too. These aren’t isolated incidents; they are recurring patterns.
Samson’s warning—lessons learned and the cost of optimism
Samson’s perspective isn’t just theoretical. It’s forged in the fires of his own experience. During his time with the Marlins, deals like the three-year, $40 million extension for Martin Prado turned sour due to recurring injuries. The Dee Gordon saga, a five-year, $50 million contract followed by a PED suspension, was another painful lesson. This incident says so much about why he criticized MLB executives.
The problem extends far beyond Miami. The Nationals‘ $245 million investment in Stephen Strasburg became a cautionary tale, with Strasburg barely pitching after signing. The Angels’ $245 million for Anthony Rendon has been similarly plagued by injuries, with no injury insurance to cushion the blow.
Even the mighty Yankees, with Gerrit Cole‘s $324 million deal, now face a season (and possibly more) without their ace due to Tommy John surgery. These aren’t just bad contracts; they’re franchise-altering setbacks.
Is there a better way? The Milwaukee Brewers offer a potential alternative. Instead of chasing mega-deals, they’ve often focused on shorter-term extensions for players like Freddy Peralta and Aaron Ashby, covering pre-arbitration and arbitration years. This approach provides cost certainty and minimizes long-term risk. While their Christian Yelich extension (seven years, $188.5 million) hasn’t panned out perfectly due to injuries, their overall strategy emphasizes calculated risks rather than massive commitments. It’s a different philosophy, prioritizing sustainability over star power.
David Samson’s critique isn’t about avoiding risk altogether. It’s about being realistic about risk. The allure of a star player is undeniable. But the history of MLB is filled with expensive contracts that became disastrous due to injury. Now, are teams learning from past mistakes, or are they doomed to repeat them?
The post Ex-Marlins Prez Blasts Front Offices for Gambling on Risk-Prone Stars as MLB’s Injury Crisis Worsens appeared first on EssentiallySports.
