The Top 10 Overpaid MLB Players

Johnny Damon is currently making $13 million a year playing for the Yankees. The question is: Why? He's ranked at No. 40 for highest paid players.

Yet, his speed has diminished, so he's not that much of a threat on the bases, battled injuries last year, and worst of all defenisvely he may have the worst arm in Major League history.

Last year J.D. Drew made $14 million playing for the Boston Red Sox. Drew has a solid arm in the outfield, but the $14 million is definitely overpriced to pay him considering he's being paid like a slugger, when he's more of a contact hitter.

Again Drew had to battle threw injuries playing in 104 games hitting 19 homeruns and 64 runs batted in. The money being paid to Drew is a little much considering the highest amount of homeruns was 31 back in 2004 and highest total for runs batted in was 100 in 2006.

Andy Pettite made an astonishing $16 million last year. He went 14-14 last year for the Yankees with an Earned Run Average of 4.54, and since he was being paid like a No. 1 starter, that is what makes him overpaid.

His numbers were that of a number four or five starter. There's no reason why Pettitte should have been making $16 million. Of course he does play for the Yankees and the team is going to overpay its players, but $16 million is too much for Pettitte.

Todd Helton made $16.5 milliion last year. Since the 2006 season, Helton's numbers have been declining drastically. In fact, his season last year was filled with injuries, but when he was playing he was not the hitter he once was when he first came into the league.

He hit just .264 hit seven homeruns and drove in 29 runs.

Last year, Andruw Jones' motto should have been: "Just make contact with the ball." He signed a big contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is one of the best defensive center fielders to play the game.

Last year, he came in overweight and battled injuries throughout the season. He made a little over $14.5 million last year to show to play in 75 games hit for an average of .158 with three homers and 14 runs batted in, while striking out an extraordinary 76 times.

Don't know what happened to Richie Sexson, but for some reason, he's lost his hitting stroke. In 2008, Sexson made $15.5 milllion. He did just a little bit better than Andruw Jones, but he played so poorly the Mariners released him. He later signed with the Yankees.

Sexson hit .221 with 12 homers and 36 runs batted in.

Jason Giambi grew some weird mustache which helped him gain popularity with the Yankee fans, but still like J.D. Drew, Giambi was being paid like a slugger. Giambi didn't even get to play defense. In fact, the Yankees brought in Sexson so Giambi didn't have to be put out on the field.

Giambi did manage to hit 32 homers and drive in 96 runs, but his .247 batting average is less than desirable considering he once was a consistent .300 plus hitter.

Giambi made over $23 million last year.

Everyone knows the story about Mike Hampton. He signed a huge contract and hasn't pitched much due to injury. He did try to pitch with the Braves and actually made it into a few games, but still while sitting on the disabled list, Hampton made nearly $16 million.

Derek Jeter made over $21.5 million last year. The problem is that Jeter is not even the best shortstop on the Yankees. That goes to Alex Rodriguez.

Jeter is the perfect No. 2 hitter, but beyond that, he's middle of the road. He's not that great defensively. His arm which was never that strong to begin with, has continued to get weaker, and there's no reason for him to be making so much money.

Ichiro is the biggest thief of any player in Major League Baseball. Ichiro made $17 million playing for the Mariners one of the worst teams in baseball.

No matter what happens, it seems like every year the Mariners are occupying the same spot in the AL West cellar. Ichiro will continue to hit for the high average and get his hits.

Ichiro is definitely a great defensive player, but the reason why he's overpaid is because of his lack of production offensively. And, no, it's not crazy to suggest it.

The problem with Ichiro is that all he cares about is getting his hits up instead of helping the team by taking pitches. He walked only 51 times in 686 at bats.

For a leadoff hitter, that is unacceptable and also his lack of base stealing with his speed is also ridiculous. Forty-three steals isn't really all that much for a leadoff hitter, especially considering Ichro's succesfull steals are.

Until Ichiro becomes a team player, he will continue to occupy the list a No. 1 for most overpaid player.