Ranking Minnesota's big-money deals
Which big contracts in Minnesota sports history worked, and which ones didn't? Here's how Jim Souhan ranks 'em:
Best large contracts
1. Kirby Puckett, Twins (three years, $9M): Then a record, now a bargain.
2. Steve Hutchinson, Vikings (seven years, $49M): Great player.
3. Kevin Garnett, Wolves (six years, $126M): Invaluable.
4. Johan Santana, Twins (four years, $40M): Affordable ace.
5. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (seven years, $100M): Great production on unguaranteed deal.
6. Antoine Winfield, Vikings (five years, $36M): Wonderful player.
Worst large contracts
1. Andrew Wiggins, Wolves (five years, $147M): Doesn't even play hard.
2. Kirk Cousins, Vikings (three years, $84M): Two years left to make good after bad start.
3. Joe Mauer, Twins (eight years, $184M): Understandable but a very lousy deal.
4. Ricky Nolasco, Twins (four years, $49M): Waste of money and time.
5. Fred Smoot, Vikings (six years, $34M): Fading player who led Love Boat.
6. Martin Havlat, Wild (six years, $30M): Terrible presence; didn't perform.
Big money, but a mixed bag
Sometimes big contracts come with uncertain or uneven results:
1. Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, Wild (13 years, $98M each): Good but not great value.
2. Chuck Knoblauch, Twins (five years, $30M): They were able to trade.
3. Kirby Puckett, Twins (five years, $30M): Eye ailment ended career after three years.
4. Brian Rolston, Wild (three years, $9.4M): A really good player but lack of team results.
5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Wolves (five years, $190M): Great producer with room to improve.
6. Sam Cassell, Wolves (two years, $12M): One great year, one bad dance, one tank job.Jim Souhan
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