Evaluating 5 biggest contracts in Blue Jays history after Springer's deal

The Toronto Blue Jays sent shock waves through the baseball world Tuesday when they reportedly agreed to a six-year, $150-million contract with 2017 World Series MVP George Springer.

The pact is the most lucrative the organization has ever handed out in terms of guaranteed money. With that in mind, let's examine the five highest-valued contracts in the team's history.

5. Jose Bautista

5 years, $64M (2011)

This signing was obviously a home run for the Blue Jays (no pun intended).

Extending Bautista following an out-of-nowhere 54-homer campaign in 2010 was a gamble for Toronto. The Dominican slugger ended up making the All-Star team in every campaign of his five-year deal, and only eight major-league players accrued a higher fWAR than him during that period.

4. Hyun-Jin Ryu

4 years, $80M (2019)

The jury is still out on Ryu in Toronto. However, his first season with the Blue Jays was outstanding, though he made just 12 starts due to the pandemic.

The 33-year-old Korean finished as a Cy Young finalist for a second consecutive campaign while receiving down-ballot MVP votes again. The left-hander has always been injury-prone, so we could view this contract differently when he's pitching in his mid-30s.

3. Russell Martin

5 years, $82M (2014)

*No longer with the Blue Jays

At the time of this signing, Martin's contract represented the most guaranteed money the Blue Jays had ever given to a free agent. The Canadian catcher had established a reputation for playing on postseason contenders, and the move immediately paid dividends, with the Jays making back-to-back trips to the ALCS during his first two years in Toronto.

Martin's production and durability dropped off substantially over his last two campaigns, and he was eventually traded to the Dodgers for two minor leaguers.

2. Vernon Wells

7 years, $126M (2006)

*No longer with the Blue Jays

Prior to Springer's deal, Wells' extension was the franchise's high mark (or low mark, depending on how you look at it). The then 27-year-old was among MLB's best outfielders and coming off his second All-Star nod when general manager J.P. Ricciardi inked him to what became one of the worst contracts in baseball.

Wells amassed a 6.7 fWAR over the seven-year deal after posting a 5.8 fWAR in 2006 alone. GM Alex Anthopoulos eventually dealt the homegrown product to the Los Angeles Angels when many thought Wells' contract was untradeable.

1. George Springer

6 years, $150M (2021)

*Steamer projection according to FanGraphs

Will Springer continue to be one of the top outfielders in the majors into his 30s? Can he lead the Blue Jays to a championship? How will this deal look in four years? All those questions can't be answered right now.

However, we do know Toronto is reportedly getting an elite player in his prime who puts up huge playoff numbers, and only 13 major leaguers have accrued a higher regular-season fWAR than Springer since 2016. The 31-year-old also recorded 19 homers and 38 RBIs over 63 career playoff games since 2015, helping the Astros reach two World Series and win the title in 2017. The bottom line: The Blue Jays are a much better team in the immediate future after adding the three-time All-Star.