MLB Power Rankings: All 30 Teams' Worst 'Penny-for-Penny' Player in 2012

Deciding how much to shell out for a player when signing them is by no means an exact science, and more times than not, you are left with teams over-paying for players as opposed to getting bargains.

However, some players take over-paying to the next level, and their production comes far from matching their salary. I've attempted to figure out who the least valuable player in terms of production for the money they are earning is for each MLB team.

To determine each player's penny-for-penny worth, I took a mathematical approach that I will now attempt to explain. 

Assuming that one Win Above Replacement (WAR) is worth $4.5 million, as established by FanGraphs last year, I multiplied each player's WAR on the year by 4.5.

From there, I took half of the given player's 2012 salary (since we're at roughly the midway point of the season) and simply plugged the numbers into the following equation.

(Player's 2012 WAR X $4.5 Million) - (Player's 2012 Salary/2) = Player's Net Value in $$

Whoever had the lowest net value for each team was then considered their worst penny-for-penny player. Here's a look at the results.

Baltimore Orioles

Player: 2B Brian Roberts

2012 WAR: -1.0

Salary Thus Far: $5 Million

Net Value: -$9.5 Million

A two-time All-Star who once ranked among the best second basemen in all of baseball, Roberts has battled back problems and concussion symptoms in playing just 98 games in 2010 and 2011 combined.

He made his season debut on June 12, kicking things off with a bang in going 3-for-4, but he has struggled since. He's now on the shelf again with a groin injury and will likely never be the same player he once was.

Boston Red Sox

Player: SP Daisuke Matsuzaka

WAR: 0.2

Salary Thus Far: $5.17 Million

Net Value: -$4.27 Million

Signed to a six-year, $52 million contract with a $51-million posting fee, Matsuzaka has been a massive disappointment for the Red Sox.

He began his career going 33-15 with a 3.72 ERA over his first two seasons but has gone 16-18 with a 5.17 ERA since as he's battled injuries, including Tommy John surgery last season. 

He made his season debut on June 9 and has gone 0-3 with a 6.65 ERA over his first five starts. Thankfully for the Red Sox, he is  in the final year of his contract.

New York Yankees

Player: 3B Alex Rodriguez

WAR: 1.6

Salary Thus Far: $15 Million

Net Value: -$7.8 Million

After managing just 99 games last season as he was slowed by shoulder and knee injuries, A-Rod has managed to remain healthy this season.

At 36, he is no longer the superstar player he once was, but he is still a productive hitter with a .266 BA, 13 HR, 36 RBI line. However, given his ridiculous $30 million salary, it is hard for him to be worth his money at this point.

Tampa Bay Rays

Player: DH/OF Luke Scott

WAR: -0.5

Salary Thus Far: $2.5 Million

Net Value: -$4.75 Million

Signed in the offseason to add some pop in the middle of the Rays lineup, Scott was coming off of a down 2011 season after averaging a line of .264 BA, 23 HR and 70 RBI over the previous four seasons.

Currently mired in an 0-for-38 slump, he's hitting just .197 BA, nine HR and 36 RBI on the season, and as the fourth highest-paid player on the Rays, he is far from earning his money.

Toronto Blue Jays

Player: 1B Adam Lind

WAR: -0.5

Salary Thus Far: $2.575 Million

Net Value: -$4.825 Million

Lind came out of nowhere to post a .305 BA, 35 HR and 114 RBI back in 2009 as a 25-year-old and looked to be the game's next great slugger.

However, he's averaged a .243 BA, 24 HR and 80 RBI line over the past two seasons and played so poorly early on this season that he was demoted. Back in the majors now, he's hitting .200 BA, six HR and 18 RBI on the season through 145 at-bats.

Chicago White Sox

Player: 3B Brent Morel

WAR: -0.6

Salary Thus Far: $245,000

Net Value: -$2.945 Million

Handed the everyday third base job last season, Morel hit .245 BA, 10 HR and 41 RBI and finished the season with a flurry, hitting eight home runs with 19 RBI in the season's final month.

That was reason enough for many to peg him as a breakout candidate entering this season, but he hit just .177 BA, 0 HR and 5 RBI over 113 at-bats before going down with an injury.

Cleveland Indians

Player: 1B Casey Kotchman

WAR: -0.6

Salary Thus Far: $1.5 Million

Net Value: -$4.2 Million

Once a top prospect in the Angels organization, Kotchman enjoyed a career year last year at the age of 28 as he hit .306 BA, 10 HR and 48 RBI as a member of the Rays.

Despite those numbers, teams were by no means lining up to sign him this offseason as they were understandably skeptical that he'd be able to duplicate those numbers. They were right, as he's hit .231 BA, seven HR and 31 RBI and been a hole in the Indians lineup.

Detroit Tigers

Player: LF Delmon Young

WAR: -0.9

Salary Thus Far: $3.375 Million

Net Value: -$7.425 Million

The first-overall pick in the 2003 draft, Young has been a disappointment throughout his career as he has never reached the vast potential that made him such a highly regarded prospect.

He was acquired at the deadline last season and gave the Tigers a spark down the stretch with eight home runs and 32 RBI in 40 games. However, he's been below average this season, and in a contract year, he has done little to boost his stock.

Kansas City Royals

Player: RF Jeff Franceour

WAR: -0.7

Salary Thus Far: $3.375 Million

Net Value: -$6.525 Million

Francoeur had a terrific season with the Royals last year, hitting .285 BA, 20 HR, 87 RBI and 22 SB while serving as a key veteran leader for a young Kansas City team.

That was enough for the team to sign him to a two-year, $13.5 million extension in the offseason, but he has been far from those numbers this season. He's hit .257 BA, seven HR and 25 RBI on the season, and the Royals could look to move him at the deadline.

Minnesota Twins

Player: 1B/DH Justin Morneau

WAR: 0.0

Salary Thus Far: $7.5 Million

Net Value: -$7.5 Million

The 2006 AL MVP, and an All-Star from 2007-2010, Morneau was sidelined with concussion last season as he managed just 69 games.

Still just 31, he has been moderately healthy this season but is not the player he once was as he's hit .238 BA, 10 HR and35 RBI thus far. He's still due $14 million next season on the six-year, $80 million contract he signed, but the Twins could try to shop him.

Los Angeles Angels

Player: RF Vernon Wells

WAR: 0.0

Salary Thus Far: $12.322 Million

Net Value: -$12.322 Million

It remains a head-scratcher as to what possessed the Angels to trade for Wells and his bloated contract, and he has been a shell of his former self once again this season.

He posted a .244 BA, 6 HR, 12 RBI line through 38 games before going down with a torn ligament in his thumb, and with a set outfield of Mark Trumbo, Mike Trout and Torii Hunter left-to-right, he really has no spot. He is still due $42 million over 2013 and 2014, and his contract will get worse before it gets better.

Oakland Athletics

Player: RP Brian Fuentes

WAR: -0.4

Salary Thus Far: $2.5 Million

Net Value: -$4.3 Million

A four-time All-Star who once ranked among the best closers in baseball, Fuentes signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal to close for the A's last season.

He was decent last season, saving 12 games and posting a 3.70 ERA, but he's struggled mightily this season with a 6.84 ERA. After losing his job to All-Star rookie Ryan Cook, he was designated for assignment on July 3.

Seattle Mariners

Player: UT Chone Figgins

WAR: -1.3

Salary Thus Far: $4.75 Million

Net Value: -$10.55 Million

After an All-Star season in 2009 with the Angels, Figgins signed a four-year, $36 million contract to join the Mariners.

He had a decent first season but hit just .188 last year over 288 at-bats and has been equally bat this season with a .186 average as he's been relegated to role-player duties.

Texas Rangers

Player: UT Michael Young

WAR: -0.8

Salary Thus Far: $8 Million

Net Value: -$11.6 Million

After embracing a super utility role last season following the signing of Adrian Beltre, Young hit .338/.380/.474 with 11 HR and 106 RBI. 

However, he's struggled to a .268/.300/.352 line this year with just three home runs and 33 RBI. These numbers mark the worst of Young's career thus far, and this could be the beginning of a decline for the 35-year-old.

Atlanta Braves

Player: SS Tyler Pastornicky

WAR: -1.1

Salary Thus Far: $240,000

Net Value: -$5.19 Million

Despite playing in just 45 games to open the season before being demoted back to the minors, Pastornicky has the sixth lowest WAR of any position player in baseball.

He hit just .248 BA, one HR and 12 RBI and made seven errors for a .948 fielding percentage. Not only was he demoted, but he may well have lost his chance to play shortstop in Atlanta as 22-year-old Andrelton Simmons has hit .311 BA, three HR and 14 RBI in 29 games since being called up.

Miami Marlins

Player: OF Chris Coghlan

WAR: -1.2

Salary Thus Far: $250,000

Net Value: -$5.65 Million

The 2009 NL Rookie of the Year, Coghlan hit .321 BA, nine HR and 47 RBI as a 24-year-old and looked to have a bright future with the Marlins.

However, a freak injury while celebrating cut short his sophomore campaign, and he has not been the same player since. Injuries forced him into extended playing time this year, and he's hit just .140 BA, one HR and 10 RBI over 93 at-bats.

New York Mets

Player: LF Jason Bay

WAR: -0.3

Salary Thus Far: $9.0625 Million

Net Value: -$10.4125 Million

Bay has been a bust since the day he signed his current four-year, $66 million deal with the Mets, but he's gone from bad to worse this season in terms of overall production.

After hitting .245 BA, 12 HR and 57 RBI last season, he has been sidelined for much of 2012 with injuries and has managed a line of just .187 BA, four HR and six RBI over 75 at-bats.

Philadelphia Phillies

Player: 1B Ryan Howard

WAR: N/A

Salary Thus Far: $10 Million

Net Value: -$10 Million

Howard may not have played yet this season after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the postseason last year, but he's still cost the Phillies $10 million so far this year.

He is expected back soon, and the Phillies could certainly benefit from the slugger earning some of his enormous salary in the second half.

Washington Nationals

Player: RF Jayson Werth

WAR: 0.6

Salary Thus Far: $6.786 Million

Net Value: -$4.086 Million

Few were surprised last season when Werth failed to live up to the hype and pressure that came with signing a seven-year, $126 million contract.

However, he had been playing well this season with a .276/.372/.439 line and three home runs with 12 RBI through 27 games, before a broken wrist stopped his season dead in its tracks.

Chicago Cubs

Player: RP Carlos Marmol

WAR: -0.1

Salary Thus Far: $3.5 Million

Net Value: -$3.94 Million

Believe it or not, Alfonso Soriano has actually earned his money so far this season with a 2.1 WAR, so the title for the Cubs falls to one-time dominant reliever Carlos Marmol.

He is 8-of-10 on save chances on the year and has a 4.74 ERA, while striking out 32 batters and walking 25 in 24.2 innings of work. He was temporarily removed from the closer's role after a rough patch and has spent time on the DL, as he is far from the All-Star reliever he once was.

Cincinnati Reds

Player: 3B Scott Rolen

WAR: -0.4

Salary Thus Far: $4.09 Million

Net Value: -$5.89 Million

After a resurgent season in 2010, Rolen looks at though he is wrapping up what could very well be a Hall of Fame career.

He's struggled to stay on the field this season and struggled to perform when he has with a .184 batting average in 41 games. At this point, playing Todd Frazier everyday at third would likely give the Reds a better chance to win.

Houston Astros

Player: 1B Carlos Lee

WAR: 0.2

Salary Thus Far: $9.5 Million

Net Value: -$8.6 Million

Now a member of the Marlins, Lee still put up the least value during his time with the Astros thanks in large part to his bloated $19 million salary for this season.

The team got a pair of solid prospects in 3B Matt Dominguez and P Rob Rasmussen in return for him, and they will get another gift when they no longer have to pay his contract at season's end after playing out a six-year, $100 million contract.

Milwaukee Brewers

Player: 2B Rickie Weeks

WAR: -0.2

Salary Thus Far: $5.5 Million

Net Value: -$6.4 Million

After finally staying healthy and enjoying a breakout 2010 season, Weeks signed a four-year, $38.5 million extension with an $11.5 million option for 2015.

Injuries limited him to 119 games last season, but he still managed a .269 BA, 20 HR, 49 RBI line as he displayed the best power of his career. This season, however, he has struggled to a .195 average with an NL-high 97 strikeouts. He was expected to pick up part of the slack with Prince Fielder gone but has failed to do so.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Player: SS Clint Barmes

WAR: -0.2

Salary Thus Far: $2.5 Million

Net Value: -$3.4 Million

In their on-going search for a reliable shortstop, the Pirates gave Barmes a two-year, $10.5 million contract following a .244 BA, 12 HR, 39 RBI season with the Astros that saw him post a respectable 2.9 WAR.

He's struggled mightily at the plate this year, though, as many Pirates have, hitting just .204 BA, four HR and 21 RBI. With no other real options at the position and as the second-highest paid player on the team, Barmes will continue to get everyday at-bats.

St. Louis Cardinals

Player: SP Chris Carpenter

WAR: N/A

Salary Thus Far: $4.25 Million

Net Value: -$4.25 Million

Carpenter has yet to pitch this season, as a bulging disc in his neck and numbness in his arm has kept him sidelined.

It was announced Wednesday that he will undergo season-ending surgery, and since he's 37 years old, one has to wonder if this is the end of the road for the Cardinals ace.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Player: SS Stephen Drew

WAR: -0.1

Salary Thus Far: $3.875 Million

Net Value: -$4.325 Million

A broken ankle last season kept Drew on the shelf to open the 2012 season, and he made his season debut on June 27.

With just seven games under his belt, he's had little impact on the team this season while he ranked as the team's highest paid player. He's off to a slow start with a .182 BA, zero HR and one RBI, but there is still time for him to get on track.

Colorado Rockies

Player: SP Jeremy Guthrie

WAR: -0.5

Salary Thus Far: $4.1 Million

Net Value: -$6.35 Million

The Rockies acquired Guthrie, the ace of the Orioles staff for the past several seasons, to add a veteran presence and a workhorse to a young Rockies staff.

However, he's struggled to a 3-8 record with a 6.28 ERA, and making matters worse is the fact that Jason Hammel (8-4, 3.43 ERA) and Matt Lindstrom (17 G, 2.65 ERA), whom the Rockies sent to Baltimore in the deal, are both pitching terrifically.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Player: 1B James Loney

WAR: -0.2

Salary Thus Far: $3.1875 Million

Net Value: -$4.0875 Million

Loney burst onto the scene in 2007 when he hit .331 BA, 15 HR and 67 RBI over 344 at-bats as a 23-year-old rookie. However, he has been unable to match those numbers ever since and has put up borderline offensive numbers for a first baseman.

In the four seasons following his rookie year, he averaged a line of .281 BA, 12 HR and 83 RBI and has managed to hold onto his job without question. However, this year he has hit just .245 BA, two HR and 24 RBI. In the final year before free agency, the team could look to upgrade at the deadline.

San Diego Padres

Player: SS Jason Bartlett

WAR: -0.4 

Salary Thus Far: $2.25 Million

Net Value: -$4.05 Million

The Padres gave up four players to acquire Bartlett from the Rays prior to last season, and he rewarded them with a .245 BA, two HR and 40 RBI season in which he had a -0.3 WAR.

He's been even worse this season, hitting just .133 over 83 at-bats before a strained knee landed him on the 60-day disabled list. He has a $5.5 million option with a $1.5 million buyout next season, and expect the Padres to take full advantage of that buyout.

San Francisco Giants

Player: SP Barry Zito

WAR: 0.0

Salary Thus Far: $9.5 Million

Net Value: -$9.5 Million

Zito is in the midst of his best season as a member of the Giants, with a 6-6 record and 3.84 ERA, but with his outrageous salary, he still edged out Aubrey Huff (-$6.35 million value) for the spot here.

He's still due $20 million in 2013 and has an $18 million option with a $7 million buyout in 2014, as the Giants still have some time before they are finally out from under the seven-year, $126 million albatross of a contract they gave Zito.