Baseball's Most Overpaid Players

[wayne1218]

Around the horn, these 10 players have the most outsized contracts at each of the 10 positions on the field (including designated hitter). Ratings were compiled by measuring each player's salary against his VORP (Value Over Replacement Player--or production above what a hypothetical replacement would bring at minimal cost) through June 24. Excluding players with less than three years' service time, whose low salaries reflect their lack of contract leverage, the average player is paid $877,000 for each VORP point he registers at his position. We ranked each player based on the number of points his VORP score fell below what his salary dictates it should be.

First Base
Todd Helton

Colorado Rockies

Salary: $17.8 million

Expected VORP: 20.3

Actual VORP: -3.0

One of baseball's top hitters for a decade, Helton is simply slowing down at age 36. He's got only 12 extra base hits and 13 RBI to his credit this season. Best value: Adrian Gonzalez.

Second Base
Julio Lugo

Baltimore Orioles

Salary: $9.3 million

Expected VORP: 10.5

Actual VORP: -6.1

A longtime run of the mill player (average season: .270; 10 homers, mediocre defense) who's been released and traded for minor leaguers over the years, Lugo somehow snagged a big free agent deal with Boston in 2007. The contract mercifully ends after this season. Best value: Robinson Cano.

Shortstop
Derek Jeter

New York Yankees

Salary: $22.6 million

Expected VORP: 25.8

Actual VORP: 17

Yes Jeter will end up in Cooperstown. But he also makes more than star shortstops Hanley Ramirez, Troy Tulowitzki and Jimmy Rollins combined. Sorry Yankee fans, he isn't thatgreat. Best value: Tulowitzki.

Third Base
Aramis Ramirez

Chicago Cubs

Salary: $16.3 million

Expected VORP 18.5

Actual VORP: -13.3

Ramirez has missed time with a bad thumb. But in the 47 games in which he's played (of a possible 71), he's batted .168 with a miniscule .517 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). Best value: Scott Rolen.

Left Field
Carlos Lee

Houston Astros

Salary: $19 million

Expected VORP: 21.7

Actual VORP: -7.4

Batting .228 with a .646 OPS, too low for a corner outfielder. At 34, is Lee slowing down or just slumping? Best value: Josh Hamilton.

Center Field
Aaron Rowand

San Francisco Giants

Salary: $13.6 million

Expected VORP: 15.5

Actual VORP: -4.3

Always strong defensively, Rowand just isn't hitting enough this year (.219, six homers) to justify his All-Star contract. Best value: Marlon Byrd.

Right Field
Gary Matthews Jr.

New York Mets

Salary: $11.4 million

Expected VORP: 13

Actual VORP: -3.6

The Angels unwisely signed Matthews to a big deal in 2007 after his strong season in Texas a year earlier. They ate most of his contract while dealing him to the Mets, who recently released him after he couldn't crack the lineup or play effectively off the bench. Best value: Andre Ethier.

Catcher
Gerald Laird

Detroit Tigers

Salary: $4 million

Expected VORP: 4.5

Actual VORP: -11.3

A .181 batting average and one homer have Laird splitting time with youngster Alex Avila, who makes $405,000. Best value: Victor Martinez.

Pitcher
Jeff Suppan

St. Louis Cardinals

Salary: $12.8 million

Expected VORP: 14.5

Actual VORP: -11.1

After putting up a 7.84 ERA in Milwaukee, Suppan is trying to get his groove back in St. Louis, where he's been reunited with pitching coach Dave Duncan. Best value: Josh Johnson.

Designated Hitter
Pat Burrell

Tampa Bay Rays

Salary: $9 million

Expected VORP should be: 10.3

Actual VORP: -3.6

Burrell was released last month and signed by San Francisco, where he's doing better as a part time outfielder. But he still ranks as the AL's most overpaid DH this year. Best value: Vladimir Guerrero.

[bryce]

I agree with most of these except Jeter and I hate the Yanks! Suppan is number one on my list!

[jcheckers]

I've seen the arguement about overpaid players for years and I agree because of the price of tickets and concessions, but nobody ever complains about the owners making big money. Most players have to get it while they can, because of short careers (especially in the NFL), but the owners couldn't pay those big salaries if they weren't "Cuttin' a Fat Hog".

[flashypants]

I agree with most of these except Jeter and I hate the Yanks! Suppan is number one on my list!

i agree not cuz im a yank fan but if u think jeter is ovrpaid your nuts the guy makes all th plays other shortstops dream of he is the greatest shortstop ever now can u believe he still got four good years left & if u can name a better all around shortstop let me know start a post & see what guys think when u move a-rod to third cuz the yanks had the best shortstop already is enough said

[bigdog237]

i think every player is overpaid,they should not get this ungodly amount of money for playing a game.....its nuts to give someone millions for having fun