Dodgers five worst signings this decade

5) Chad Billingsley

3-years, $41.3 million

After pitching to an All-Star appearance in 2009 and showing steady improvement the following season, the Dodgers locked up Chad Billingsley to a three-year extension in March 2011. The extension added $35 million to his existing deal, turning the total contract into a 3-year, $41.3 million pact.

At the time, Billingsley was technically the number two starter behind Clayton Kershaw. Coming up through the Dodgers system, he was never spectacular, but always consistent, with 12+ wins in each of his previous four seasons, adding up to a 59-41 record and 3.55 ERA by the time he signed his extension.

Of course, the season after signing for more money, things started to go south. The right-handed finished 2011 without a winning record for the first time in his career, going 11-11 with a career-worst 4.21 ERA. Billingsley would bounce back to start the 2012 season, but a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament shut him down for the final month of the season. Instead of opting for surgery in the offseason, he tried alternative methods to deal with the injury. After only two starts in 2013, he was forced to face the inevitable and underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the remainder of the season.

After trying to return to the Dodgers rotation in 2014, he experienced discomfort in his elbow that forced him to be shutdown again. He would eventually require surgery, and after pitching in only 12 innings in 2013, he missed the entire 2014 season.

The Dodgers declined his option in 2015, ending the disastrous contract extension.