MLB Power Rankings: Each Team's Most Overrated Player
As much as we hate to acknowledge the generalization, the term "overrated" plays a significant role in sports.
And in MLB, it's even more evident since there's no salary cap.
Not to mention the issue of revenue sharing, but I digress.
Anyway, each team has a player that's overrated, and some do have some solid numbers, but does that mean they're worth it?
Not always, and others are just ridiculously overpaid for their performance.
In any event, they exist, and so does ranking them amongst one another. Check it out.
Side Note: For a full list of team and player salaries, click here.
30. Cincinnati Reds: Edgar Renteria, SS
1 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .232
Homeruns: One
RBI: 14
Hits: 35
2011 Salary: $2.06 Millionย
He was a role player for the Giants in 2010, and that should remain his role for Cincy in 2011.
Maybe their hoping he gives them some playoff magic like he has for Florida and San Fran, but don't count on it.
The reason is because, Edgar Renteria has never been a big HR hitter, or providing those 80 to 90 RBI each year.
29. Colorado Rockies: Jorge De La Rosa, SP
2 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 5-2
ERA: 3.51
Innings: 59.0
Strikeouts: 52
2011 Salary: $10 Million
Jorge De La Rosa has had a winning record each season with the Rocks', but nothing too overly impressive.
16-9 with a 4.38 ERA in 2009 was his best, including 194 strikeouts.
But, is that really worth $10 million?
A lot will depend on how this year pans out, but as of right now, no.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates: Lyle Overbay, 1B
3 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .236
Homeruns: Seven
RBI: 35
Hits: 76
2011 Salary: $5 Million
The simple fact that Lyle Overbay is making more than Andew McCutchen, and almost as much as Ryan Doumit should be concerning.
When he played with the Toronto and Milwaukee, he put up some good numbers.
Enter the 2011 season with the Pirates, and things aren't going so well, individually.
Pittsburgh is fighting for the NL Central, and is relevant for the first time in almost two decades.
Overbay needs to show up more often.ย
27. Philadelphia Phillies: Raul Ibanez, LF
4 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .243
Homeruns: 13
RBI: 48
Hits: 84
2011 Salary: $12.16 Million
It's fairly difficult to find someone who's overrated on such a complete ball-club.
However, Raul Ibanez, you are the weakest link (or, most overrated in Philadelphia).
If we revert back to his younger days with the Royals and Mariners (and even his first year with the Phillies), Raul played like a $12 Million-dollar man.
Now, he still makes more than Jimmy Rollins and Cliff Lee. Time to take a pay-cut.
26. Florida Marlins: John Buck, C
5 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .222
Homeruns: 10
RBI: 33
Hits: 67
2011 Salary: $5 Million
John Buck's best year came in 2010 where he hit 20 homers, and batted .281 while driving in 66 runs.
Now you tell me, if you're an owner, and a those numbers happen to be someone's best season, are you paying them $5 Million-dollars?
No, because even if that seems like pocket change to a multi-billionaire, it's not smart business.
On the flip-side, his catcher's helmet and shades look sweet.
25. Oakland Athletics: Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
6 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .221
Homeruns: Four
RBI: 17
Hits: 30
2011 Salary: $4.75 Million
Since joining the A's in 2010, Kevin Kouzmanoff hasn't done much.
And before that (with the Padres), not much either.
His best year was 2008 where he hit .260, drove in 84, and sent 23 deep.
Plus, he's earning more than Hideki Matsui-I'm calling shenanigans.
24. Kansas City Royals: Kyle Davies, SP
7 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 1-9
ERA: 7.32
Innings: 55.1
Strikeouts: 44
2011 Salary: $3.2 Millionย
It's hard to find anyone who's really overpaid on the league's lowest payroll, but if there's one, it's Kyle Davies.
Anyone with a career best 4.06 ERA, and only a 9-7 record shouldn't be earning more than a million (at the most).
That said, at least he's not earning more than Billy Butler, otherwise we'd have some major issues.
23. Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Hill, 2B
8 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .237
Homeruns: Four
RBI: 37
Hits: 72
2011 Salary: $5 Million
Jose Bautista is easily the Blue Jays best player, and he only makes $3 Million more than Aaron Hill.
Now despite hitting 26 jacks last year, he only hit .205, and has taken a turn for the worse in 2011.
22. Baltimore Orioles: Derrek Lee, 1B
9 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .239ย
Homeruns: 10
RBI: 34
Hits: 73
2011 Salary: $7.25 Million
Since his rookie year in 1997, Derreck Lee has only managed to bat over .300 three times during his career.
From 2000-09 he may have been worth $7 Million or so, but not after 2010, and not definitely not right now.
21. San Diego Padres: Orlando Hudson, 2B
10 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .240
Homeruns: Two
RBI: 22
Hits: 50
2011 Salary: $4 Million
Had it not been for the Padres low payroll, Orlando Hudson may be even more overrated.
His best years came with the Diamondbacks, from 2006-08, so the fact that Hudson is making more now than two of the three years with Arizona proves something.
Otherwise, he'd be playing better an earning more.
20. Arizona Diamondbacks: Kelly Johnson, 2B
11 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .219
Homeruns: 16
RBI: 42
Hits: 75
2011 Salary: $5.85 Million
For being the highest paid Diamondback, Kelly Johnson has't lived up to expectations.
For one, he's never hit over .300 or sent 30 balls yard.
Also, Johnson has only eclipsed over 70 RBI once.
Not from an income perspective, but from a highest paid player on a team perspective, he's overrated.
19. Texas Rangers: Scott Feldman, SP
12 of 302010 Statistics
Record: 7-11
ERA: 5.48
Innings: 141.1
Strikeouts: 75
2011 Salary: $4.4 Million
Scott Feldman had a solid 2009 campaign where he went 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA.
And, thus far he's been out for 2011 after off-season knee surgery.
Must be nice earning millions while not having to play.
18. Detroit Tigers: Carlos Guillen, 2B
13 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .429
Homeruns: One
RBI: Three
Hits: Six
2011 Salary: $12.92 Million
For a brief stint of his career, most likely 2004-07 Carlos Guillen was most certainly worth $12 Million.
However, since 2008 he has significantly dropped off.
Plus, he's currently earning more than Justin Verlander, Magglio Ordonez, and Brandon Inge at age 36.
This needs fixed.
17. Chicago White Sox: Alex Rios, CF
14 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .212
Homeruns: Six
RBI: 23
Hits: 73
2011 Salary: $12.5 Million
Alex Rios is making more than Paul Konerko, how is that possible?
He has had some respectable numbers throughout his career, but nothing worth $12.5 Million.
16. Atlanta Braves: Nate McLouth, CF
15 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .225
Homeruns: Four
RBI: 16
Hits: 54
2011 Salary: $7 Million
Only twice has Nate McLouth hit 20 or more homers, and only once has he hit over .270.
In addition, he only drove in over 90 runs once, with 70 being the second most (it takes a significant drop thereafter).
15. New York Mets: Jason Bay, LF
16 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .232
Homeruns: Six
RBI: 29
Hits: 60
2011 Salary: $18.125 Million
When Jason Bay was bouncing around between Pittsburgh and Boston, he was the man.
The numbers he put up from 2004-09 were consistent on an elite level.
However, it appears that he has succumbed to the Big Apple pressure since joining the Mets.
You can only guess what New-Yorkers were saying at Shea Stadium. "OVER-RATED!"
14. Houston Astros: Brett Myers, SP
17 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 3-10
ERA: 4.74
Innings: 133.0
Strikeouts: 99
2011 Salary: $8 Million
In 2010, Brett Myers saw his best performance thus far by going 14-8 with a 3.14 ERA.
Problem is that his career has been like a roller coaster.
One year he's solid, then the next he falls off.
This would be better if he was making less than Hunter Pence.
13. Minnesota Twins: Carl Pavano, SP
18 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 6-6
ERA: 4.01
Innings: 132.1
Strikeouts: 56
2011 Salary: $8 Millionย
For the majority of his career, Carl Pavano has been you're average MLB starting pitcher.
His best year came in 2004 with the Florida Marlins, where he went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA, and struckout 139 batters.
That year alone, may be worth $8 Million, but that's about it.
12. Milwaukee Brewers: Randy Wolf, SP
19 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 6-7ย
ERA: 3.58
Innings: 125.2
Strikeouts: 85
2011 Salary: $9.5 Million
Even with the under 4.00 ERA, Randy Wolf has never really had a dominant season.
16-10 with 177 strikeouts in 2003 was arguably his best season, while he hit a 3.20 ERA the year before.
Can't say that he should be earning more than Ryan Braun.
11. Los Angeles Dodgers: Juan Uribe, 3B
20 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .205
Homeruns: Four
RBI: 27
Hits: 54
2011 Salary: $5.29 Millionย
Juan Uribe has never hit more than 85 RBI or 24 HRs in a season.
And, only once has he managed to hit .300-never above.
Then again it's the Dodgers, so we shouldn't be surprised at his salary.
10. Tampa Bay Rays: Kelly Shoppach, C
21 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .173
Homeruns: Five
RBI: 15
Hits: 23
2011 Salary: $3 Million
Kelly Shoppach was overrated in Cleveland, and he's overrated in Tampa Bay.
His best year was batting .261 with 55 RBI, and 21 homers in 2008.
Not to mention he makes more than the Rays best player, Evan Longoria.
9. San Francisco Giants: Aaron Rowand, CF
22 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .238
Homeruns: Two
RBI: 17
Hits: 62
2011 Salary: $13.6 Million
Since joining the Giants in 2008, Aaron Rowand hasn't performed like his paycheck indicates.
He's been on a steady decline in San Fran, and even his best year with them (2008), was not nowhere near worth $13 Million.
Plus, he earns more than Brian Wilson-(insert abnormal comment from the Beard).
8. St. Louis Cardinals: Kyle Lohse, SP
23 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 8-7
ERA: 3.45
Innings: 127.2
Strikeouts: 64
2011 Salary: $12.18 Million
If you're making over $10 Million a year as a starting pitcher, then you better be Roy Halladay or C.C. Sabathia, because Kyle Lohse isn''t on that level.
2001 was his best performance by going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA, but even that isn't $12 Million worthy.
Had he been around six or seven-ish then maybe he wouldn't be so ridiculously overpaid.
There's on way Albert Pujols is only worth roughly two million more.
7. Seattle Mariners: Milton Bradley, LF
24 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .218
Homeruns: Two
RBI: 13
Hits: 22
2011 Salary: $13 Million
Milton Bradley's best season came in 2008 where he hit .321, drove in 77, and bombed 22 jacks for the Texas Rangers.
That is an argument for $13 Million, but not what he has done since.
6. Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz, DH
25 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .294
Homeruns: 19
RBI: 58
Hits: 93
2011 Salary: $12.5 Million
Had it not been for Manny Ramirez along side him, David Ortiz may just be another ball-player.
And, it took him a few years to adjust to playing without Manny.
That said, he's a DH that makes more than Dustin Pedroia, and as much as Kevin Youkilis.
5. Cleveland Indians: Fausto Carmona, SP
26 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 5-10
ERA: 5.63
Innings: 110.1
Strikeouts: 63
2011 Salary: $6.28 Million
Fausto Carmona has had one legitimate season since his rookie year in 2006.
In 2007, he went 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA, and 137 strikeouts.
Based on recent performance, he's easily overrated even when you exclude salary.
4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Vernon Wells, LF
27 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .216
Homeruns: 14
RBI: 35
Hits: 60
2011 Salary: $26.18 Million
Even when Vernon Wells was performing at his best (which he had some great numbers), he still wasn't making close to his current salary in Toronto.
Yes I know, it's L.A., and the Angels have a very high payroll, but is he really worth more than Dan Haren and Jered Weaver combined?
No.
3. Washington Nationals: Jason Werth, RF
28 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .218
Homeruns: 11
RBI: 33
Hits: 76
2011 Salary: $10.57 Million
Don't worry, you'll be spared the mindless puns that come with Jayson's last name.
In any event, a big part of why he succeeded in Philly was because their line-up is just ridiculous.
Whereas, Mr. Werth is not. As evidence by his 2011 numbers.
2. New York Yankees: A.J. Burnett, SP
29 of 302011 Statistics
Record: 8-7
ERA: 4.19
Innings: 124.2
Strikeouts: 104
2011 Salary: $16.5 Million
The man makes more than Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Robinson Cano for God's sake.
His best year was 18-10, with a 4.07 ERA, and 231 strikeouts with Toronto in 2008.
Although that is solid, it's not worth $16.5 Million.
1. Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano, LF
30 of 302011 Statistics
Batting Average: .249
Homeruns: 14
RBI: 41
Hits: 70
2011 Salary: $19 Million
The only thing Alfonso Soriano has been able to do consistently is send the ball deep.
He's not great at driving in runs, or batting average in general.
$19 Million is insanely ridiculous.

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