Baltimore Orioles: Ten Most Haunting Contracts In Franchise History

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BALTIMORE – MAY 5: Sidney Ponson #43 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the MLB game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 5, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland. The White Sox won 6-5. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Sidney Ponson- 3 year/$22.5 million

Former Orioles manager Mike Hargrove compared Sidney Ponson to Bartolo Colon and believed he would develop into an ace for the Baltimore Orioles. Instead, Ponson is more remebered for his problems with alcoholism, punching a judge back home in Aruba, and failing to perform on the mound. There was also his banishment from international competition after testing positive for a banned substance.

Ponson pitched for parts of six seasons with the Orioles to begin his major league career, winning 55 games and finishing fifth in Rooke of the Year voting back in 1998. Baltimore capitalized on his 14-6 record and 3.77 ERA in 2013 and traded him to San Francisco where he finished the season out west before electing free agency.

He returned to Baltimore in the offseason, signing a three-year/$22.5 million deal to come back to the Charm City. Ponson was released after two seasons, going 18-26 with a 5.64 ERA. He allowed 442 hits across 346 innings, walked nearly 3/9 IP and struck out well under 5/9 IP.

Ponson would be signed and released on six more occasions over the next four years, making his final major league appearance inn 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.