Manny Machado signed a $300 million, 10-year contract with the San Diego Padres, only to be outdone a week later by Bryce Harper, left, who reportedly is signing for 13 years and $330 million with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The last time two offensive players of this caliber were free agents at the same time was probably after the 2000 season, when Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez were available. The Rangers signed Rodriguez to a record $252 million, 10-year contract, and the Red Sox landed Ramirez for eight years at $160 million.

Whether contracts like these are worth it for teams is open to debate. Rodriguez led the American League in home runs in each of his three seasons with Texas before he and his contract were sent to the Yankees. But the Rangers finished in last place in all three of his seasons there.

Ramirez led the American League in homers in 2004, the season in which Boston won its first World Series title since 1918.

Get Them While They’re Young

One way to determine how well big contracts work out for teams is to measure a player’s WAR (wins above replacement) during the years of that contract. WAR is a measure of value that compares how much better (or worse) a player is compared to one who would typically be available to replace him.

Harper and Machado are 26 years old. That hits the sweet spot for getting high WAR and better value on contracts of at least $100 million.

10 AVG. WAR DURING CONTRACT 8 6 4 2 0 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 AGE AT START OF CONTRACT 10 AVG. WAR DURING CONTRACT 8 6 4 2 0 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 AGE AT START OF CONTRACT

There have been 72 separate contracts* of at least $100 million before this off-season.

Nine of those contracts were given to players who were 26 or younger.

Eight of the nine have amassed a robust average WAR of 4.5 or higher during those deals.

The remaining 63 contracts were given to players older than 26.

Only eight of the 63 are at 4.5 or higher.

Comparing the $100 Million Players

The chart below includes the players who have played, or are playing, under contracts of at least $100 million. It compares their relative value by using their average yearly salary during the contract and their average yearly WAR during that time.