Mike Hampton: A $120 Million Bust

The Mike Hampton Contract? Is he still being paid on that? Don't six teams have to split the bill for him? Does he even pitch anymore?

These questions inevitably arise whenever someone mentions Mike Hampton's 8-year, $121 million contract to pitch for the Colorado Rockies. It's not too surprising, either, because even judging the evidence in the light most favorable to Mr. Hampton and the teams who are now paying him, these questions -- and a whole lot of criticisms -- are all justified. They are justified because Mike Hampton has been a huge bust, perhaps the biggest free agent bust in baseball history.

Mike Hampton Signs 8-Year/$121 Million Deal to Pitch With the Rockies

After two big seasons in 1999 and 2000, in which he compiled a record of 37-12 for the Astros and Mets, left-handed starter Mike Hampton signed the richest contract in baseball history for a pitcher: eight years at just over $15 million per season, for a grand total of $121 million. There was only one problem. Hampton had to pitch in the one place that no hurler in his right mind would want to work: Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.

The Rockies certainly needed a big time starter. In 2000, their rotation was 44-55 with an ERA of 5.88. The year before, they were even worse: 38-51 with an ERA of 6.04. Even in the thin Denver air, those numbers were startlingly bad. In fact, they were the worst in the National League.

Unfortunately for Colorado, Hampton didn't make the rotation any better. In two years with the Rockies, Hampton was 21-28 with a 5.80 ERA. Surprisingly, Hampton performed worse on the road than he did at the hitter-friendly Coors Field: he was just 9-19 away from home with a 5.98 earned run average and an astoundingly high WHIP of 1.76. After two years and $31 million, the Rockies gave up on their free agent "ace."

Hampton Traded To Atlanta Braves Before 2003 Season

The Rockies traded Hampton to the Florida Marlins on November 16, 2002, who held him for two days, and then sent him to the Atlanta Braves.

Mike's first two seasons in Atlanta were solid. He was 14-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 2003, and 13-9 with a 4.28 ERA in '04. Finally, it appeared that Hampton was going to earn those $578,923.00 paychecks that he was receiving every other week.

Injuries Sideline Hampton for Almost Three Years

But then, in 2005, Hampton blew out his elbow after just twelve starts, and the injury necessitated that he undergo Tommy John surgery. The injury, surgery, and rehabilitation kept Hampton on the shelf for the remainder of 2005 and for all of the 2006 season. The Braves were hoping for Hampton to be ready to rejoin the rotation in time for the start of the 2007 season.

But then things went from bad to worse. Hampton experienced renewed elbow pain in an April, 2007 practice session. The next day, the Braves announced that Hampton would have another surgery and would miss the entire 2007 season, which he did.

Hampton Injured Again in November, 2007

Hampton began his latest rehab assignment on November 22, 2007 for Navajo of the Mexican Winter League. In the first inning, however, Hampton severely injured his right hamstring while fielding a ground ball and had to leave the game. A few days later, the Braves announced that Hampton would be out until early February, at which time the team will evaluate the pitcher's chances for pitching in 2008.

This latest injury does not appear to be something that will keep Hampton out for the 2008 season. Nevertheless, unless he wins 30 games in 2008, his contract will forever be judged a monumental failure. He averaged just 8 wins a year. He missed at least 2 1/2 seasons, and may miss yet another. His ERA was as bloated as Pavarotti after a trip to the dessert buffet. He did have a nice run down the stretch of the 2004 season to help the Braves reach the playoffs, but all in all, this huge free agent contract has to be labeled a bust.

A $121 million bust.

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