The Best Lineup Of Players in MLB Making One Million Dollars to under Two Million Dollars

Steven Resnick by Senior Writer Written on July 18, 2009

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ATLANTA - JUNE 26:  Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on June 26, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

This is the second installment in regards to salaries in the MLB. The Last slideshow was about the best players making under a million dollars. This segment is going to be the best team of players in the Major Leagues making one million dollars to just under two million dollars.

The list includes players that have made all-star teams, one isn't exactly an everyday type player, and there is an MVP winner and a MVP candidate among these best.

Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez, Houston Astros

DENVER - MAY 14:  Catcher Ivan Rodriguez #12 of the Houston Astros warms up behind the plate against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on May 14, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Astros defeated the Rockies -3.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/G

Ivan Rodriguez makes the list pretty much by default because catchers are either young and don't make over a million dollars or the catchers have already shown what they can do and have signed a bit bigger contract.

"Pudge" though isn't a bad player even though he's 37 years old. He still can handle a pitching staff and can still hit the ball. He's not going to hit for a high average as he once did but he's been solid behind the plate for the Astros.

Rodriguez signed a 1.5 million dollar contract just before the season started after her played extremely well in the World Baseball Classic.

For the season Rodriguez is batting .256 with eight homers, 32 rbis, 11 doubles, two triples, and he has appeared in 72 games. Defensively he's made three errors and has been involved in one double play, and has a .994 fielding percentage.

First Base: Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 07:  Kendry Morales #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on July 7, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Rangers defeated the Angels 8-5.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Kendry Morales from the left side of the plate resembles Adrian Gonzalez. He's an excellent hitter that can hit for power. He is one of the leading offensive players for the Angels, who've had plenty of their stars injured this year, but Morales has been their most consistent power source in the lineup.

Morales is a switch hitter and from the right side he's only hit one homerun, but from the left side of the plate he's hit 16.

For the 2009 season Morales is making 1.1 million dollars.

So far he's hit 17 homers, driven in 52 runs, has 24 doubles, scored 41 runs, and is batting .288

Defensively he's made six errors and has a fielding percentage of .992

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

NEW YORK - MAY 04:  Nick Swisher #33 of the New York Yankees is forced out at second base as Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox tries to complete a double play on May 4, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo by Jim Mc

It is hard to fathom that a former MVP is making under two million dollars, but Dustin Pedroia is. He's an oustanding defensive second basemen and has shown offensively that he can drive in runs and hit for a high average.

He hasn't hit as many homeruns as he did in 2008, but he's been finding the alleys for doubles. Defensively Pedroia is one of the best at the second base position.

For the 2009 season Pedroia is making 1,750,000

So far Pedroia has hit four homers, driven in 40 runs, scored 67 times, has 30 doubles, one triple, and a .303 batting average. On defense he's made five errors and has a fielding percentage of .987

Shortstop: Maicer Izturis, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 12:   Shortstop Maicer Izturis #13 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim jumps over Brett Gardiner #11 of the New York Yankees but has to hold the ball on the double play attempt in the third inning on July 12, 2009 at Angel Stadium in A

Maicer Izturis can play either shortstop or second base. Izturis is also a good hitter in the lineup to have either in the first, second, or ninth slot. He has excellent speed as well and he's one of three Angels hitters in the lineup that are persky.

Izturis isn't going to hit a lot of homeruns, but he gets on base which is what you want in a lineup to cause havoc on the bases as well as having the big hitters in the lineup drive them in.

Izturis makes 1,600,000 for the 2009 season.

So far he's batting .307 with two homers, 27 rbis, 11 doubles, three triples, and 40 runs scored.

Third Base: Eric Hinske, New York Yankees

NEW YORK - MAY 08:  Eric Hinske #16 of the Pittsburgh Pirates runs against the New York Mets on May 8, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Pirates 7-3.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

Eric Hinske is a versatile player and can play in the outfield and either first or third base. He started out the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates who traded him to the New York Yankees.

Hinske curently makes 1,500,000 for the 2009 season.

In a reserve role he's hit .263 with four homers, 15 rbis, nine doubles, and 21 runs scored in 58 games.

Left Field: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

SAN FRANCISCO - APRIL 07:  Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season on April 7, 2009 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Image

It is hard to believe there's been a former MVP and now a MVP candidate on this list, but it is true. Ryan Braun comes in as the left fielder in the under two million dollar team.

For the 2009 season Braun makes 1,032,500

His season stats so far look like this he's hit .310, has hit 16 homers, driven in 58, scored 62 runs, has 20 doubles, as well as three triples, and he's got eight stolen bases.

Defensively he has two errors as well as six assists and has a fielding percentage of .988

Center Field: Scott Hairston, Oakland A's

BOSTON - JULY 06:  Scott Hairston #21 of the Oakland Athletics bobbles a hit by Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox on July 6, 2009 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Athletics defeated the Red Sox 6-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Center Field was another position that had slim pickings. Scott Hairston makes the list. He has speed in center and can run the ball down. He started the season out with the San Diego Padres as traded to the Oakland A's.

He currently makes 1,250,000 for the 2009 season.

Hairston has showed surprising power this year he has 11 homers, driven in 31, has stolen nine bases, scored 28 runs, has 15 doubles, batting .291, and one triple.

Defensively he has an error and has an assist as well.

Right Field: Delmon Young, Minnesota Twins

CHICAGO - MAY 08:  Delmon Young #21 of the Minnesota Twins swings at a pitch during the game against the Chicago White Sox on May 8, 2008 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Delmon Young has had a disappointing season for the Minnesota Twins. He hasn't shown the power that made him one of the most promising young talents, but comes in on the list as the right fielder and he possess a strong arm in right.

Young currently makes 1,152,000 for the 2009 season.

For the season Young has hit 3 homers, driven in 25, with a .266 average, has six doubles, and has scored 20 runs.

Defensively Young has two errors and two assists for a fielding percentage of .977

Designated Hitter: Russell Branyan

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 31:  Russell Branyan #30 of the Seattle Mariners plays at first base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on May 31, 2009 in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Russell Branyan is finally getting to play everyday and he's finally showing what he can do. He was a highly touted prospect with the Indians, but was never given an everyday job. So he has bounced around throughout his career.

As of how he's about to set a career high in homeruns, games played rbis, and pretty much every other significant offensive numbers for himself.

For the season he's batting .275 with 22 homers, 49 rbis, 17 doubles, 49 runs, and one triple.

Branyan is making $1,400,000 for the 2009 season.

Starting Pitcher No. 1: Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins

MILWAUKEE - MAY 14: Starting pitcher Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins delivers the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 14, 2009 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated the Marlins 5-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Josh Johnson is having a fantastic season for the Florida Marlins and quite possibly is one of the least known pitchers in baseball. Due to the lack of attendance at Marlins game there's really not much that you hear about Johnson.

He currently makes 1,400,000 for the 2009 season.

Johnson has a record of 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA, two complete games, and he has struck out 109 while walking 35.

Starting Pitcher No. 2: James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 3: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox May 3, 2009 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

James Shields when he's on he is as nasty as they come. He's had a little bit of an up an down season so far for the Rays, but he's definitely a solid number two starter for the Rays. He also has great control.

His salary for the 2009 season is at 1,500,000

So far he's got a 6-6 record, with no complete games, he's got a 3.75 ERA, and has struck out 93 while walking 27.

Starting Pitcher No. 3: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox

NEW YORK - MAY 04:  Jon Lester #31 of the Boston Red Sox deals a pitch against the New York Yankees on May 4, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jon Lester barely makes it on the list because he makes exactly one million dollars for the Red Sox for the 2009 season. He is one of the best up and coming left handers in baseball.

One of the best moments of 2008 was Lester's no hitter against the Kansas City Royals. What makes it even more truly remarkable was the fact that just a few years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and is back and now healthy.

Lester this year has a record of 8-6 with a 3.87 ERA, has two complete games, and has struck out 131 while walking only 35.

Starting Pitcher No. 4 : Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Relief pitcher Jeff Niemann #34 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the game on September 19, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Jeff Niemann isn't a particularly hard thrower. He isn't going to get a lot of strikeouts either, but he gets batters out. He has been a pleasant surprises for the Rays as their fourth starter and it also has helped them overcome the ineffectiveness of Scott Kazmir this season.

Neimann for the 2009 season makes 1,290,000

So far this season he has a record of 8-4 with an ERA of 3.73, he has two complete games and both were shutouts, and has struck out 52 while walking 38.

Starting Pitcher No, 5: Max Scherzer, Arizona Diamondbacks

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17:  Max Scherzer #39 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the game on June 17, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Max Scherzer is one of the up and coming prospects for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is his first year in the majors as a starter and he has shown his abilities.

Scherzer makes 1,450,000 for the 2009 season.

His record is 5-6 with a 3.64 ERA, he has no complete games, and he has struck out 97 while walking 39.

Closer: Heath Bell, San Diego Padres

DENVER - MAY 31:  Relief pitcher Heath Bell #21 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with catcher Henry Blanco #28 after closing against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on May 31, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Bell earned the save as the P

Heath Bell has excelled as closer for the San Diego Padres as they did not resign Trevor Hoffman in the offseason and allowed him to sign elsewhere. Bell has taken it in stride and made the all-star team this year.

He makes 1,255,000 for the 2009 season.

So far he has 23 saves, an ERA of 1.69, and 42 strikeouts to 15 walks.

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written on July 18, 2009 Rankings/List

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