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These 10 guys aren't earning their paychecks
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Worth a thousand words:
If you want to get specific and toss around culpability, then there are main offenders to be found. Since, in this space, we reputedly love nothing so much as going negative, we're going to take a look at the players who have, to date, most effectively shanghaied their teams' hopes of contention.
In all instances, these are established players who should be faring better than they are. More specifically, these are the players who, while not alone in their offenses, have done their level-best to reduce their employers from national contenders to forgettable also-rans. These are the guys who must step it up in a hurry:
1. Andruw Jones, Dodgers
Yes, Jones is presently on the disabled list after undergoing knee surgery, but that's merely the start of his problems. On the season, he is batting .165, is on pace for just seven home runs, and has played sluggish defense in center. At the time, Jones' signing looked like a sensible value addition on the part of GM Ned Colletti, but it's turned out to be a low-grade disaster. Perhaps it's the knee, perhaps it's a lack of conditioning — whatever the cause, Jones has seriously hurt the Dodgers' chances thus far. It takes a lot to make Juan Pierre look like an upgrade, but Jones has somehow done it.
2. Justin Verlander, Tigers
The Tigers in 2008 have been a veritable superfund site. Expected to contend for "best team in baseball" honors, Detroit is instead languishing at the bottom of the none-too-impressive AL Central. You can point to any number of guys who aren't getting it done, but Verlander, the Tigers' ace, stands out. This season, Verlander is toting around an RA (runs allowed per nine innings) of 5.82, and he's been even worse than that away from Comerica Park. With Dontrelle Willis laid up and Kenny Rogers circling the drain, the onus is on Verlander to improve in a hurry.
3. Travis Hafner, Indians
Think the Tribe is battling a case of buyer's remorse on Hafner's contract? Despite a down year in 2007, the Indians inked Hafner to a four-year, $57-million contract extension with an option for 2013. He's rewarded their faith by performing even worse in 2008. To date, he's hitting .217 AVG/.326 OBP/.350 SLG. Sure, he's been playing despite an ailing shoulder, but unless he starts producing, the Indians are going to have trouble repeating as division champs. Ditto for Casey Blake and Asdrubal Cabrera.
4. Robinson Cano, Yankees
Coming into 2008, Cano boasted a career batting line of .314 AVG/.346 OBP/.489 — quality numbers for an up-the-middle defender. However, this season he's been lost at the plate (.276 OBP). You can point to other reasons for the Yankees' struggles — Alex Rodriguez's injury, the rotation, Derek Jeter's drop in production and customarily poor defense, the lack of reliable middle relievers not named Joba Chamberlain — but Cano's troubling decline has a lot to do with it. Fixing the Yankees is an exercise in triage at this point, but what's certain is that Cano must improve going forward.
5. Brett Myers, Phillies
Myers doesn't have the best track record as a human being, and this season he's got the numbers to match. His RA stands at 6.34, and, in a related matter, he's coughed up 15 bombs in just 65.1 innings. The Phils were banking on Myers to stabilize the rotation behind Cole Hamels this season, but he has failed miserably. Philly doesn't have much in the way of in-house replacements or trade-able young talent, so it's on Myers to get better.
6. Carlos Delgado, Mets
Delgado declined last season, but a modest production spike in the second half raised hopes that he'd improve in 2008. That's not happening. At present, Delgado is batting .215 AVG/.294 OBP/.387 SLG, while the average NL first baseman has a batting line of .271/.358/.478. As you can see, that's a serious production deficit. Delgado is 36 years of age, so drastic improvement isn't likely. However, the Mets need him to achieve at least adequacy. It's simply hard to win when you're getting such poor numbers from a power position like first base.
7. Eric Gagne, Brewers
As hard as it is to believe this, Gagne has actually been worse as a Brewer than he was as a member of the Red Sox in 2007. The defrocked Milwaukee closer has an RA of 6.98, and he's walked 16 batters in 19.1 innings. Oh, and he's also on the DL with shoulder tendinitis. The bullpen has been a problem throughout Ned Yost's tenure in Milwaukee, and unless Gagne can get healthy and begin finding the strike zone the Brewers won't catch the Cubs, Cardinals and Astros.
8. Brad Penny, Dodgers
Andruw Jones isn't the Dodgers' only problem. Penny was one of the NL's best starters in 2007; this season, however, he's been anything but. An RA of 5.45 at the front of the rotation doesn't cut it, especially when you're trying to keep pace with the Diamondbacks. If the opposite side continues abusing Penny to such an extent, then those numbers aren't going to improve.
9. Jeff Francis, Rockies
The reigning NL champs are struggling, and Francis shoulders much of the blame. In 2006 and 2007, Francis appeared to be headed toward ace-dom, but this year he's taken several steps back. Coors Field doesn't explain away a 6.18 RA, and that's to say nothing of the fact that Francis has actually been worse on the road this season. Unless Francis can do a better job of spotting his off-speed stuff against right-handed hitters, he'll continue to struggle.
10. Trevor Hoffman, Padres
The master of the change-up is having a rough go of it in 2008. At this writing, Hoffman has a 4.86 RA, and that's despite having logged the majority of his innings in baseball's best park for pitchers. For a team as bad as the Padres (they're on pace for 101 losses), there are more than enough demerits to go around. With that said, it's clear that Hoffman's best days are behind him.
Member Comments
Hey Travis Hafner is injured but look at his production. Even injured he has 20+ RBI's
jefric16/15/2008 20:24:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Well as a Dodger fan I still think Jones can be more productive when he gets back from his surgery.167sure but he is getting used to his teamates and the whole blue crowd, that can boo you when you're on a slump and hooray you when you have good days. But what about Schmidt I can't recall when he last played and he's getting paid!!! Not just because i'm a Dodger but we have an explosive line up if they all get on the same page and the pitching cooperates. World Series within the next three years!!! BIG BLUE/RAIDERS!!!!!
Raiderider6/10/2008 23:14:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
victor martinez,cleveland no HOME RUNS, always hurt, how about new york yankees pitching, most of all Carl Pavano, 12million for 3 games!!!!!
hi5hole6/3/2008 11:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
ugh and Zito...yep, DaveInWrigley...he belongs in the top 3 cuz hes SUPPOSED to be an ace. the other 10, let's be serious. Gagne? Jones? Hoffman is tough but my Giants killed him the other day so...duh. Maybe Zito can get to 9-13, that'd be a feat but last 2 outings not bad...
runjinxrun6/2/2008 23:14:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
huh. andruw jones, who stunk last year and has only shown signs of decline prior to 2007, stinks this year. baseball is is tough, but this isn't a surprise. fall far, Dodgers!
runjinxrun6/2/2008 23:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Baseball needs a salary cap. <br />###I read some similar articles at B L A C K W H I T E K I S S .C O M, you may know it recently becomes the most popluar community for meeting black beauties and white men, with hot black or white hotties? videos and many sexy girls waitting for u?
owpcas6/2/2008 22:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
You forgot to include YOURSELF on this list Dayn, because you are a total m o r o n!! And who the hell spells Dan with a Y....were you actually born a girl? Take your Yankee hating, constant Jeter bashing self to Burger King and work there. Your skills are better for it.
jjyankeesfan26/1/2008 9:43:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The 10 on the list are valid disappointments thus far. Comments adding other significant players adding frustration to their teams could justifiably take this list far larger than only 10. One over hyped standout receiving a controversial contract for 2008 but has not come through for his team is Barry Zito. He has only one win this season, touting a 5.5 ERA, and giving up 31 walks with 35 earned runs in only 11 starts. All this for a two-fold salary increase over what his paycheck looked like in 2006.
DaveInWrigley6/1/2008 9:40:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hi Dayn,<br />I couldn't agree with you more. This article is a good place to vent our individual frustrations as fans and this season more than most in recent memory has it's list of candidates for your article. I am a Yankee fan and could easily add to your list in the home team dugout but your choice of Mr. Cano is the pinnacle of my angst. Cano has made his short lived career on opposite field hitting. Not a slap hitter mind you but a genuine big bopper for a second baseman. I remember him taking away pitches to left field for power. This year he is driving the ball to left but he is late on the pitches consistently and hitting the ball foul. It was a beautiful thing to see him seemingly effortlessly taking the outside pitch to left and driving the ball with authority. I keep hoping the next pitch will....but alas it doesn't. I want to scream into the TV and tell him to change things up and try driving the ball more thru the middle and even jacking one or two to right, you know short porch and all. He is young and I'm sorry but I don't buy that he has lost bat speed. Probably just a matter of time for him to make some adjustments. But until he does this promising big bopper moving to the 3 hole and winning batting titles will have to wait. How do i get this message to Kevin Long, the Batting instructor?
ctgary5/31/2008 23:26:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Andruw Jones has a .420 Batting Average...
JONGORDON5/31/2008 16:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Alex Rios belongs on this list. He's having his 2nd half swoon early this season. Giants look brilliant in not trading Tim Lincecum for this dud
muskokasfinest5/31/2008 9:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Dang Perry not dissing any Cardinal? Predictions not panning out?<br />LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL<br /><br />33 wins; 2nd most in the MLB ! Cant last, right?; success breeds success! I am enjoying the ride even though you were trying to be spoil sport several weeks ago. Go Cards !!!!
Akeman5/31/2008 7:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
D-Backs Manager Bob Melvin needs to step down. This guy is a moron and he sucks.
gerberbaby5/30/2008 20:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
BGQ86..Notice one thing about your Dodger list....they all, except fo Kent, Lowe and Penny, are Ned Colletti signings. I've said before, he is one of the Dodgers main problems. Just think, EVERY single player that he has signed has either not performed, been traded or released. Well, maybe Pierre played as advertised BUT NOT FOR THAT SALARY.
1oledude5/30/2008 17:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Look the talk about Gold Gloves is meaningless. A few years back there was a steroid user who got Gold Glove at first base and played less than 10 games there all year. We all remember Raphael Palmiero don''t we. I'm a Yankee fan and yes Jeter has lost some on defense this year, but to the guy who never sees him making diving stops and getting up and throwing, you have to just watch a game or two and you'll see it. He still has pretty good range and as far as his only 600+ handles lets remember the guy missed a couple weeks and was slow in the field for awhile after coming back. He may not be the best but I'll take his attitude over any other SS in BB. The guys name should be spelt TEAM.....
tonyc075/30/2008 16:19:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hahahaha....why isnt richie sexson on this list? or jarrod washburn?
AdamJ10105/30/2008 15:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I would say that more than half of the complaints should be going to the gm's around the leauge. Nobody wants to make $$ more than mgmt. and to offer the elusive 100 milion $ contract is going to be done with 1 day soon just because the last years of an extended contract are filled with medeorce play and when the last year comes around look there career numbers.Torri Hunter is no slop but is he more valuable than Carlos Gomez?who should get the long term contract
ryanja1015/30/2008 14:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
DodgersLakersNiners4Life:<br />I'm glad you like the three best franchises in all of sports, but I've got to disagree with you on 2 years ofJones being worse than signing Rowand or Hunter for 5 years. Both of those players have longer contracts are the same age or older and have less to offer a team when healthy. Maybe Jones will never regain form, but the contract only runs through next year, and Jones will still be in his peak, baseball players statistically enjoy peaks from 27-32. Meanwhile Hunter and Rowand will be league average or below before their big contracts run up. Right now Hunter's ops is under .800 and his slugging is down 50 points this year; Rowand is having a spectacular year, but what will he be doing in year 3 and 4 of that contract?
thelockbox5/30/2008 13:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Okay. I think you stole the idea for the Goat of the season poll. Please see my website: www.goatofthegame.com. <br />While it focuses only on the Milwaukee Brewers this season, I plan to expand to the all 30 teams next year.
frogger65/30/2008 13:24:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hafner or Victor Martinez... who still has yet to smack a ho...me run. Being on pace for 0 HR's is never a good thing.<br /><br />I would just list the entire A.L. central who decided it's time for rookies to play early on in the year and give those old guys some rest. Too many chiefs, not enough warriors.
tsatts5/30/2008 12:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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