One Guaranteed Bust on Every MLB Team for 2012

Opening Day is finally less than two weeks away, and while rosters are finally starting to shape themselves up into what they'll look like during the regular season, final changes will no doubt be made between now and April.

That certainly won't be all, however, as with players inevitably failing to live up to expectations, moves will need to be made on the fly.

In some instances, it's pretty difficult to decipher who may not be playing up to par this season, but there are always some usual suspects that you have to keep your eye on more closely.

Here are some players that may find themselves struggling to perform in 2012.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Joe Saunders

Despite being non-tendered by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team wasn't ready to walk away from Joe Saunders, as it brought him back into the fold in 2012.

You wouldn't think he'd be coming in with the highest of expectations this season, and his recent track record doesn't indicate he's primed for another 16-win season like he had in 2009.

Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones

Having already decided that this will be his last season in baseball, you'd have to think Chipper Jones will leave it all out on the field and end things on a high note.

He's showing signs of age, though, as he's struggled a bit this spring, and he'll need to work hard to ensure things don't end on a sour note in Atlanta this year.

Baltimore Orioles: Wei-Yin Chen

Having already signed Tsuyoshi Wada to a contract, the Baltimore Orioles added another international pitching prospect in Wei-Yin Chen, a left-handed starter with a fastball reaching the mid-90s and a slow curveball that keeps batters off balance.

Adjusting to major league hitting has proven to be a problem for pitchers in the past, and Chen may find himself in the same boat as he faces tough AL East lineups on a regular basis.

Boston Red Sox: Nick Punto

After coming off the bench for most of his time with the Minnesota Twins, Nick Punto did more of the same for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.

He heads to the Boston Red Sox this season and is slated to fill in time as a utility infielder once again.

Punto hasn't had much of a track record for success in the past, and while a lot may not be expected of him this season, he'll be in a bind if he's ever pushed into a starting role.

Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Soriano has displayed the athletic prowess that few have managed during the history of the game.

As one of only four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season, Soriano's combination of power and speed have also propelled him to three 30/30 seasons.

Since the end of the 2008 season, however, Soriano has only averaged 23 home runs and a few steals per season with a worse batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Chicago White Sox: Adam Dunn

Adam Dunn was supposed to be a home-run-hitting machine at U.S. Cellular Field in 2011. He went deep exactly 11 times and batted a dismal .159, a far cry from the 38 home run, 103 RBI effort he put forth in 2010.

It's almost impossible for him not to improve in 2012, but whatever improvement he makes may still not be enough to live up to the massive contract the White Sox gave him.

Cincinnati Reds: Scott Rolen

Playing in only 65 games this past season, Scott Rolen struggled offensively, batting his lowest average since 2005 and seeing his power numbers drop along with it.

The Cincinnati Reds could very well be going in a different direction at third base very soon, and the soon-to-be 37-year-old Rolen could be looking for a new home next offseason, if not sooner.

Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

After signing a one-year deal loaded with incentives, Grady Sizemore will have millions of reasons to succeed in 2012.

Still, Sizemore has played barely more than 100 games in the past two seasons with very low productivity.

The team was in on the bidding for Carlos Beltran but ultimately fell short. Sizemore will have every reason to play well as he looks to get his career back on track, but with some catching up to do, he may not be able to live up to his former self.

Colorado Rockies: Jeremy Guthrie

Having spent virtually his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, Jeremy Guthrie has had his share of both successes and struggles.

With the Colorado Rockies, he'll look to give a veteran presence to a young rotation. Having led the league in losses twice and home runs allowed once over the past three seasons, let's hope not everything he has to offer rubs off on the Rockies staff.

Detroit Tigers: Delmon Young

After fizzling out as a former top pick of the Tampa Bay Rays, Delmon Young seems to have found some life in this league.

His performance in last year's postseason will likely give him some confidence heading into 2012, but with a track record of failing to meet expectations, Young's more meager returns are probably more like what can be expected.

Houston Astros: Jed Lowrie

Having been used sparingly over the past four seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Jed Lowrie is finally going to have a shot at regular playing time, as he's currently listed as the Houston Astros' starting shortstop.

Last season was the most active for Lowrie, as he appeared in 88 games, batting .252 with an on-base percentage just above .300.

Kansas City Royals: Jose Mijares

The Kansas City Royals made a number of positive moves to bolster their pitching staff ahead of spring training in signing Bruce Chen and Jonathan Broxton and acquiring Jonathan Sanchez.

Among all of the signings, the contract given to Jose Mijares is the most puzzling.

He'll eat up innings in left-handed relief, but the Royals have seen what Mijares has to offer, having played against him. His strikeout numbers have gradually decreased, while his walks and ERA have increased over his career.

Los Angeles Angels: Kendrys Morales

After missing most of the 2010 season and all of the 2011 season, Kendrys Morales is back in the batter's box for the Los Angeles Angels, this time holding down the DH spot for the revamped Halos.

Keeping in mind that it's been so long since he's been on the field and that players often struggle when they're taken away from their positions in the field, it may be a rough return for Morales.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Capuano

Chris Capuano is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending 2011 with the New York Mets.

Having started on a consistent basis only once since 2007, Capuano's 11 wins in 2011 were definitely impressive.

While he does have the stuff to be a pitcher, his less-than-consistent play in recent years could provide more questions than answers for Dodgers fans.

Miami Marlins: Jose Reyes

Gauging whether Jose Reyes is a bust in 2012 can really come in a number of different ways.

His 2011 season was without a question his best year, as he led the NL in batting and had 54 extra-base hits and 39 stolen bases despite playing in only 126 games.

After signing a massive contract with the Miami Marlins this offseason, the table is being set for a letdown, as Reyes in all likelihood won't be able to match his 2011 stats but will be making $10 million in the first year of a heavily back-loaded contract.

Milwaukee Brewers: Alex Gonzalez

Taking over for Yuniesky Betancourt in the Brewers' infield, the bar hasn't exactly been set high for Alex Gonzalez this season.

Coming off a season in which he batted only .241 with the Atlanta Braves, he'll look to rebound in a new-look infield that will only have Rickie Weeks returning from last season.

Minnesota Twins: Matt Capps

After a relatively successful post-trade 2010 performance, Matt Capps was brought back to the Twins bullpen in 2011 to close games alongside Joe Nathan.

Capps' 2011 didn't go according to plan at all, as he struck out about half as many batters, while giving up more home runs.

Still, the Twins opted to bring Capps back for another run at things with Joe Nathan now in Texas.

He could find himself out of the closer role very quickly if he falters, as Glen Perkins remains a viable late-inning option.

New York Mets: Jon Rauch

After a promising 2010 season with the Minnesota Twins in which he notched 21 saves, Jon Rauch found himself pitching north of the border with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011.

He didn't fare as well with the Jays, as his ERA jumped nearly two runs and he closed only 11 games.

Given his shaky track record in pressure situations, the New York Mets could be in for disappointment if they're hoping to see Rauch close a number of meaningful games.

New York Yankees: Raul Ibanez

Raul Ibanez made a move away from the NL East this offseason, trading places to another high-profile Northeast city as he signed a contract with the New York Yankees, where he'll find a place as the team's designated hitter.

Having played in the field for the vast majority of his career, he could find some troubles adjusting to life watching from the dugout, though the confines of Yankee Stadium should help him ease into his newfound role.

Oakland Athletics: Grant Balfour

The 2012 season will be an adjustment for Grant Balfour as he makes his way into a consistent closer role for the first time.

He's finished roughly 25 percent of the games he's appeared in, but with only 10 career saves, he'll need to be at his best if he plans on adjusting to the high-pressure role.

Philadelphia Phillies: Joel Pineiro

After winning 15 games in 2009 and another 10 in 2010, Joel Pineiro saw his ERA balloon in 2011, as he struggled with command and saw his strikeout numbers fall even further.

With only three really positive seasons during his 12-year career, Pineiro won't be scaring any batters that step up to the plate in 2012, even if he does end up catching on with the Philadelphia Phillies once the team heads into the regular season.

Pittsburgh Pirates: A.J. Burnett

For every fan in New York that jumped for joy over the team subtracting A.J. Burnett from the equation for the Yankees, there's probably one in Pittsburgh that's wondering why the Pirates took on such a player.

He's shown plenty of promise during his career, but the move didn't really make sense on a number of levels, and Burnett could end up fizzling out once again in his new organization.

San Diego Padres: Carlos Quentin

With a lack of power in San Diego last season, the Padres saw themselves scoring fewer runs than all but two teams in baseball.

They're looking to improve on that this season with Carlos Quentin making his way to the West Coast from Chicago.

Quentin hasn't hit fewer than 20 home runs in a season since 2007 despite playing in fewer games due to injury, but with the pressure to succeed that he'll no doubt feel, he may have trouble adjusting to his role.

San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito

Is it really still a "bust" if the pitcher has been a bust virtually every season since signing with his current team?

If you're Barry Zito, yes.

With a contract as massive as Zito's, any time he has 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA next to his name (which he's averaged for the Giants), he'll need to pull something spectacular off to not be a bust once again in 2012.

Seattle Mariners: Chone Figgins

Halfway through a four-year, $36 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, Chone Figgins certainly hasn't lived up to expectations he built up after performing well with the Los Angeles Angels.

Figgins' batting average, on-base percentage and OPS are all down over 50 points compared to his time with the Halos, while his strikeout numbers have increased.

St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese

Coming off one of the best Fall Classics in recent memory, the St. Louis Cardinals will be looking to World Series hero David Freese for more contributions in 2012.

He's probably still flying high after lifting his hometown team to a championship but has been struggling a little bit in limited action this spring, and while that may not translate to midsummer performance, there's always room for it to linger into the regular season.

Tampa Bay Rays: Carlos Pena

In his last season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, Carlos Pena batted a career-low .196, striking out nearly 160 times in 144 games.

He saw an improvement in most statistical categories with the Chicago Cubs in 2011, but if he reverts to his old ways during this stint with the Rays, things could go downhill quickly.

Texas Rangers: Joe Nathan

With Neftali Feliz heading to the starting rotation in 2012, the closer role became an immediate hole for the Texas Rangers to fill.

A large number of closers hit the open market this offseason, but the Rangers opted to sign Joe Nathan, a 37-year-old pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery who is coming off a rough season in a pitcher's ballpark.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jeff Mathis

Backup catcher Jeff Mathis has never really had a track record for success in this league, and with a career batting average below .200, he's never found a true role as more than a backup.

He'll be backing up J.P. Arencibia in Toronto, but as he saw with the Angels, an increased role can come in an instant.

Washington Nationals: Roger Bernadina

The Washington Nationals have made so many moves this offseason that one move they didn't make has almost been forgotten.

With the possibility of the team acquiring help in the outfield, be it from a player like Marlon Byrd or Denard Span, that distraction could negatively impact the performance of Roger Bernadina.