The 10 most untradeable contracts in baseball

Pablo Sandoval's time with the Boston Red Sox was a disaster. He struggled at the plate and on defense, and was barely even in game shape. It says a lot that Boston cut Sandoval loose despite owing him another $53 million after this season.

Quite simply, the Red Sox had no other choice. They couldn't trade Sandoval because of the remaining years and salary on his contract, which was one of the worst in baseball. And just like the Panda, there are plenty of other underperforming players across the league giving their teams major financial headaches.

Here are the 10 worst MLB contracts - all of which would be almost impossible to trade.

*Figures courtesy: Cot's Baseball Contracts - 2017 financials not included

Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays

Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million

Since coming to the Blue Jays in 2015, Tulowitzki has consistently failed to meet expectations, even as the bar has been lowered. He's hit .249/.312/.415 over 232 games with Toronto, and both his defensive and baserunning skills have eroded in 2017. It's difficult to imagine any team would want to absorb the injury risk and money.

Albert Pujols, Angels

Remaining contract: 4 years, $114 million

The Pujols contract looked dubious from the start, and it's only getting worse. He's not a free agent until after 2021 - at 41 years of age - and the Angels owe him $114 million over the next four seasons. At least he'll be rising through the all-time home run ranks, but that's not enough. He's also poised to be worth negative WAR for the first time in his career this season, according to Fangraphs.

Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers

Remaining contract: 3 years, $74 million

Zimmermann's first seven starts with the Tigers were outstanding, as he posted a 1.50 ERA and a 5-2 record in 2016. Since then, he's failed to return value, and the big money hasn't even kicked in yet. The only thing he's providing the Tigers with is buyer's remorse.

Jason Heyward, Cubs

Remaining contract: 6 years, $127.5 million

Heyward will forever be linked to his rousing rain-delay speech during Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, but his deal could be a serious albatross if he doesn't improve at the plate. Signed through 2023, he's batting .242 with the Cubs and hasn't seen a resurgence of his long-eroded power.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees

Remaining contract: 3 years, $63.3 million

If the Yankees could unload Ellsbury - and not be saddled with paying the bulk of his contract - it would fix a few of their problems. It would also solidify an outfield of Aaron Judge, Clint Frazier, and Brett Gardner, and allow New York to pursue starting pitching. Ellsbury has dealt with injuries in 2017, though, and he's signed through 2020 at $21 million per year. Yikes.

Chris Davis, Orioles

Remaining contract: 5 years, $115 million/$85 million ($6 million deferred annually)

With home runs being hit at an all-time record pace, Davis' appeal has diminished. He's now a dime-a-dozen player making $17 million per season until he's 36, and that doesn't even cover his whole deal. His true annual average is $23 million, but he gets $6 million deferred annually. The Orioles will still be paying $1.4 million to Davis in 2037.

Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers

Remaining contract: 3 years, $62 million

Choo signed a seven-year, $130-million contract before the 2014 season, but injuries and mediocrity have diminished his appeal. At 34, his best seasons are behind him and there are younger, cheaper, and more effective alternatives on the trade market.

Homer Bailey, Reds

Remaining contract: 2 years, $29 million

As a former top pitching prospect with two no-hitters under his belt, Bailey's six-year $105-million extension seemed reasonable at the time. Since the start of 2015, however, he's made only 13 starts with a 7.76 ERA in 55 2/3 innings.

Wei-Yin Chen, Marlins

Remaining contract: 3 years, $52 million

Injuries will deter Chen from opting out of his contract after 2017, as he's set to make $52 million through 2020 by staying in South Florida using annual player options. After making 31 starts in consecutive seasons for the Orioles, Chen has combined for just 27 - and only five in 2017 - across his first two years with the Marlins.

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

Remaining contract: 6 years, $182 million

Miggy might be the one player on this list who could draw interest, but not without the Tigers eating a chunk of the money owed to him. He's signed through his age-40 season and has vesting options in 2024 and '25 if he finishes top 10 in MVP voting. Miggy is still a valuable bat, though he's having a down season slashing .262/.353/.433 with 12 home runs. He would have to show considerable improvement for any team to roll the dice.