MLB Free Agency: 10 Contract-Year Players Losing Millions by the Game

How an MLB player performs as an impending free agent alters the course of his career.

The stats show that these notable names from the free-agent class of 2013 are lagging behind their usual paces.

Each has had strong seasons in the past, and their ages—all are 28 to 34—suggest that several serviceable summers remain.

However, early season slumps have made them unenthusiastic to hit the market. 

They will be hard pressed to land monster deals if tagged with the "unproductive" label.

Jeremy Guthrie (Colorado Rockies)

Jeremy Guthrie has a winning record in 2012, but something is amiss.

Contrary to what anybody expected, his strikeout rate has plummeted despite a move out of the relentless AL East.

This trend is worth mentioning because the Colorado Rockies ace was previously very touchable when with the Baltimore Orioles. Recently, it's been getting ridiculous.

He is striking out barely one batter per start while lacking the prerequisite command of a rotation leader.

Career Averages per 162 Games: 10-13, 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 5.4 K/9

2012 Season through April 23: 2-1, 5.92 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 1.8 K/9

Jose Valverde (Detroit Tigers)

Historically, Jose Valverde has infuriated his challengers.

Even in the absence of his best stuff, hitting him is a tall order.

The Detroit Tigers didn't have to think twice before picking up his $9 million option for 2012. After all, he was coming off a perfect 49-for-49 season without a blown save.

So much for that.

Since faltering on Opening Day, Valverde has pitched better, though there is still cause for concern.

He is pitching to contact, which is especially problematic on a club like Detroit that starts several deficient fielders. On top of that, he's giving out too many free passes.

This current version of Valverde won't be coveted as the dominant reliever who finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting a year ago.

Though undefeated, "Papa Grande" is losing millions.

Career Averages per 162 Games: 32 SV, 3.02 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 10.3 K/9

2012 Season through April 23: 4 SV, 3.12 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 6.2 K/9

Kevin Youkilis (Boston Red Sox)

The Boston Red Sox have a digestible $13 million option to retain Kevin Youkilis for the 2013 season.

Don't be shocked if they decline it and let him fight for a fair contract elsewhere.

Youk is slumping this April. He is whiffing too frequently at the plate and playing nothing more than passable defense at the hot corner.

Free agency will be devoid of superstar third basemen this winter. Recovering from his subpar start could put Youk atop the class.

Sadly, that's looking improbable.

Never mind his reputation for being injured often. What value does he have if he can't produce when healthy?

Career Averages per 162 Games: .288 AVG, 23 HR, 97 RBI, .878 OPS 

2012 Season through April 23: .174 AVG, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .533 OPS

Marlon Byrd (Boston Red Sox)

Marlon Byrd became the first contract-year player—you can bet he won't be the last—to be traded since the 2012 regular season started.

The Chicago Cubs aren't happy to be on the hook for the bulk of his $6.5 million salary, but what choice did they have? Had the front office waited longer to cut the cord, he may have become completely immovable.

The 34-year-old is laboring all right, performing significantly below replacement level.

Byrd was not in line for a huge payday at the onset of 2012.

However, even the Boston Red Sox, with their outfield decimated by injuries, can barely trust him with a spot in their batting order.

He's projected to be a non-roster invitee come spring training 2013.

Career Averages per 162 Games: .278 AVG, 12 HR, 66 RBI, .752 OPS

2012 Season through April 23: .085 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .242 OPS

Russell Martin (New York Yankees)

New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin is only in this position because he and the team couldn't come to terms on a contract extension this spring.

The power returned to his bat in 2011 after a two-year hiatus and he impressed the coaching staff with his skills behind the plate.

For whatever reason, he has regressed this April.

His on-base percentage is respectable due to walking frequently and being struck by three pitchers.

But he has done diddly-squat at the dish. Prior to two strong performances against the Boston Red Sox, he had amassed no extra-base hits and one RBI.

The Yankees are no longer certain to lock him up as their future backstop considering his defensive miscues. Opponents are stealing bases at a high success rate against Martin, and already eight wild pitches have seeped through his legs.

Career Averages per 162 Games: .266 AVG, 15 HR, 74 RBI, .396 SLG

2012 Season through April 23: .179 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .282 SLG

Francisco Rodriguez (Milwaukee Brewers)

Francisco Rodriguez is seeking the kind of guaranteed money he received from the New York Mets during the 2008-09 offseason ($37 million over three years).

Even if the infamous Scott Boras was his agent—and as of July 2011, he is—that is an unrealistic expectation.

Rodriguez is presently unfit to be offered multi-year security to fill any bullpen role.

K-Rod has surrendered multiple runs in three separate appearances. In two of those instances, he turned tied games into deficits.

He won't make bank like a top-of-the-line closer unless he induces more ground balls or gets ahead in the count more consistently.

The Milwaukee Brewers don't trust him to pitch the ninth inning and I'm skeptical that any contender should.

Career Averages per 162 Games: 2.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.0 BB/9

2012 Season through April 23: 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 7.0 BB/9

James Loney (Los Angeles Dodgers)

The demand for established first basemen exceeds the supply of those with expiring deals.

You would think that bodes well for James Loney of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Not so fast.

Though previously thought to be a high-ceiling corner infielder, Loney has never slugged like one. During his mid-20s—when MLB players typically improve—his production was stagnant and underwhelming.

I'll reiterate: Loney will be one of few prime-aged, experienced options available to franchises with a first base vacancy.

How inauspicious for him to be producing like the same nondescript player he's been since 2008.

Career Averages per 162 Games: .286 AVG, 14 HR, 86 RBI, .777 OPS

2012 Season through April 23: .245 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .759 OPS

Casey Kotchman (Cleveland Indians)

Compared to James Loney, Casey Kotchman's MLB journey has been uneven. And his roller coaster of a career is plunging at the worst possible moment.

Free agency is on the horizon.

He and Loney are eerily similar by measures of age, game experience, power and contact ability. But Kotchman's 2012 with the Cleveland Indians is thus far more disappointing.

His batting average has halved since last summer. Usually sure-handed, he has already committed a fielding error (two in 2011).

Kotchman is an offensive liability for the second time in three seasons.

With each passing game, his future looks less promising.

Career Averages per 162 Games: .266 AVG, 12 HR, 68 RBI, .730 OPS

2012 Season through April 23: .157 AVG, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .526 OPS

Jonathan Sanchez (Kansas City Royals)

Jonathan Sanchez is limiting his future earnings with uninspired outings.

The sample size of him as an American League pitcher is small.

Then again, his career has been briefer than those of most impending free agents (720.2 innings through April 23). Any teams that pursue his services will need to stretch his triumphs and failures out of proportion.

Sanchez has been hampered by poor pitch location since being acquired by the Kansas City Royals. Walks and wild pitches are forcing him to waste too many bullets and head to the clubhouse early.

A campaign akin to his 2010 performance would get MLB general managers clamoring for his signature on a lengthy deal.

For now, let's see if he can stay in the starting rotation.

Career Averages per 162 Games: 9-10, 4.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 9.3 K/9

2012 Season through April 23: 1-0, 6.39 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 5.7 K/9

Francisco Liriano (Minnesota Twins)

"The Minnesota Twins have decided to skip struggling left-hander Francisco Liriano's next turn and give him eight days to refocus before he starts again," reports the Associated Press (per ESPN).

Are you surprised? Didn't think so.

Through four starts in 2012, he has never looked worse.

The former American League Rookie of the Year candidate is an enigma that reputable Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire evidently can't solve.

The crop of soon-to-be free agents became less appetizing when Matt Cain inked a contract extension with the San Francisco Giants. The list will be further weakened if Zack Greinke and/or Cole Hamels follow suit.

Buyers settle for potentially effective young players when studs aren't available.

Alas, if Liriano finishes as poorly as he did in 2011—(gulp) or worse—then he will no longer be classified as either.

Career Averages per 162 Games: 13-12, 4.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 8.9 K/9

2012 Season through April 23: 0-3, 11.02 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, 6.6 K/9