The five most untradable contracts in MLB

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon.

Dumping salary is a part of the MLB trade deadline experience.

Struggling teams look to move on from expensive veterans, moving those players for prospects who could be part of the future. Occasionally, teams will swap disappointing players on large contracts, hoping the change of scenery will make a difference.

However, some contracts cannot be dealt no matter how much a team wants to move on. Those players have drastically underperformed, making their contracts an albatross.

As the July 30 trade deadline rapidly approaches, let's take a look at the five most untradable contracts in MLB.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon

Anthony Rendon was a star for the Nationals, a middle-of-the-order bat that the Angels sorely needed. He signed a seven-year deal worth $245M to provide another dangerous hitter behind Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

That deal appeared to be worth the investment in 2020 as he had a strong first season for the Angels, posting a .286/.418/.497 batting line in his 232 plate appearances, hitting nine homers and 11 doubles in the pandemic-shortened campaign. His nine home runs and 54 hits in 2020 remain the most he has in a season since joining the Angels.

A litany of injuries and questions about his commitment have ruined his career. With two more years and another $77.1M due, the Angels are stuck with Rendon.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant was a solid run producer for the Cubs and Giants, a four-time All-Star and the 2016 NL MVP. He will always be a beloved figure in Chicago for helping the Cubs win the 2016 World Series.

The Rockies hoped that Bryant could provide a similar boost when he signed a seven-year, $182M contract ahead of the 2022 season. Instead, Bryant has battled injuries throughout his time in Colorado. There have been questions as to whether or not he wants to be with the Rockies after his disputed comments about the farm system.

Even if Bryant wants out, the remaining four years and $108M left on his contract make him virtually impossible to move.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez

Javier Baez was viewed as a brilliant defensive shortstop and a solid hitter when he signed a six-year, $140M contract with the Tigers. There were issues in his profile — Baez struck out too much and barely ever drew a walk — but his overall ability made up for those flaws.

That has not been the case in Detroit. Baez disappointed in his first season with the Tigers, posting a .238/.278/.393 batting line with 17 homers and 27 doubles in his 590 plate appearances. He has gotten worse on both sides of the ball each season, struggling to find himself.

The 31-year-old should be at the end of his prime; instead, he may be looking at the end of the road. At least Baez will always have this moment, even if it happened with the Cubs.

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton

The Marlins were mocked when they infamously traded Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees. That trade, essentially dumping Stanton's salary, looks brilliant in retrospect.

Stanton had a productive first season in New York, hitting 38 homers and 34 doubles, but he has struggled to stay on the diamond since. He has appeared in just 460 of the Yankees' 804 games since the start of 2019 as he has battled a litany of injuries. Although Stanton still has tremendous power, he is strictly a designated hitter at this point in his career.

The remaining $86M over the next three years is a high price to pay for the oft-injured slugger.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball when he is healthy. The problem is that he has not been healthy since 2020.

He was in the midst of a historic run in 2021 when forearm tightness ended his season. Shoulder woes held deGrom to just 11 appearances in 2022. Despite his checkered health, the Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year deal worth $185M. The Rangers have gotten six starts for that money, none of which have come this season.

deGrom may still dominant when healthy, but the remaining three years and $115M left after this season are not worth the gamble.

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