As the old adage goes, “Money cannot buy happiness.” After the amount of money paid to several players by major league franchises, they’re hoping to prove the sentiment false. Many teams signed one or two free agents they feel is the missing piece to the championship puzzle. The only problem is that the extraordinarily large contracts were given to players many feel are not superstars. For example, the Kansas City Royals gave Gil Meche $55 million over 5 years. Meche, who played his home games in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field, owns a modest 55-44 record during his six-year career and has a career earned run average of 4.65. In comparison, two-time Cy Young winner and easily the best pitcher in the game today Johan Santana, who has a career record of 78-31 with a 3.20 ERA, signed a 4-year contract in 2000 worth $40 million. Since Meche makes more money for doing significantly less, his contract is the most scrutinized compared of any other player.

Other large contract signings that have been deemed unwise include:

• Ted Lilly signed a four-year $40 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, and is a mediocre 59-58 with a 4.60 ERA for his career.
• J.D. Drew signed a five-year $70 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, but he has a history of injuries.
• Gary Matthews Jr. signed a five-year $50 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels after a career year with Texas last season, but is suspected of steroid use, that could have significantly increased his performance last season.

If the amount of money spent in the off-season does equal success, then MLB may as well cancel the whole season and just start with the World Series. The two teams facing off would be the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, both of which clearly spent more than their competition. Chicago hopes that spending nearly $300 million on free agents will help to end the club’s streak of futility at 99 years. The Boston Red Sox spent $170 million to compete with their hated rivals, the New York Yankees.

After a winter in which money flowed like water, the No. 4 story line to follow this season is to find out which clubs made the wisest decisions.