Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
In 2013, at the age of 27, 1B Chris Davis batted .286 and hit 53 HRs with 128 RBIs. In 2015 he hit, .262, 47 HRs, 117 RBIs. Despite his erratic batting averages and higher-than-average strikeouts, he drew the crowds and became Baltimore’s fan favorite. He was so popular that before the 2016 season, the Orioles signed him to a $161 million, 7-year contract – the largest in Oriole history. That season his BA dropped to .221, but he still hit 38 HRs. Concern arose in 2017 when his BA dropped further to .215 and his HR total to 26. Things really started falling apart in 2018. He finished the season going 0 for 21, which dropped his average to .168, the lowest batting average ever for a number of bats-qualified players. His strikeout rate was now over 40% of his at bats. In 2019, he started the season 0 for 33 for a total of 54 at bats without a hit, a new record of futility. He finished the season .179 with 12 HRs. In 2020, he was batting .116 when injured. He would never return. Chris joined a forum of ballplayers who suddenly lost their stuff midway through their careers, which cost the team ownership a lot of money paying off unexpired contracts.
A Nightmare ! Remember the Steve Blass story ?