Major League Baseball

Free agency blunders: 10 guys teams regret

Published Nov. 23, 2009 10:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Bidders beware.

History is an excellent teacher.

And so as the free agent negotiations begin in baseball's off-season, it's best to remember that the diamonds of an off-season can quickly turn into regular-season coal.

Ten current contracts that provide lessons for those who think that by simply writing checks they can buy success:

Gary Matthews, CF, Angels. Signed a five-year, $50 million contract prior to 2007. Matthews said he wants to be traded because he's not happy with his playing time. The Angels would probably be glad to let him out of his contract, but he's not looking to avoid the $23 million he is guaranteed in the final two years of his deal. The first three years have seen Matthews play only 370 games, hitting .248 with 30 home runs, 166 RBI, 271 strikeouts and 16 errors.