Looking at 4 of the worst free agent contracts in Chicago Cubs history

4 of the worst free agent contracts in Chicago Cubs history: Todd Hundley

Maybe because of my age, I remember Todd Hundley being a Cubs catcher but… I didn’t remember how fantastically terrible he was during his time in Chicago.

Son of Cubs legend Randy Hundley, the former second-round pick had cemented himself among the best catchers in the league as a member of the Mets, earning back-to-back All-Star nods in 1996 and 1997. After two years with the Dodgers, Hundley inked a four-year, $23.5 million contract with Chicago ahead of the 2001 season.

While he was never what he was in the Big Apple in Los Angeles, Hundley had still been a solid offensive catcher. He hit 24 home runs in each of his two seasons there, slashing 241/.331/.499 – good for a 112 OPS+. But when he came to the Windy City, the wheels just totally fell off the wagon.

Hundley batted just .199/.285/.398 in 579 plate appearances with the Cubs, who saw enough after just the second year of his deal, trading him back to the Dodgers. The good news? Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek, both of whom played critical roles for the ill-fated 2003 team, came back in the deal.