40 MLBers Who Could Be Cut in an NFL-Style Contract System

With massive contracts being doled out on a continual basis in baseball, players are often times set up for failure as they find it harder and harder to live up to the expectations that come along with all the zeros in their paychecks.

In a perfect world, front offices could guarantee parts of the contracts and drop players like NFL GMs often times have the luxury of doing.

Instead, baseball teams can find themselves in an unwanted bind that can paralyze payrolls for years on end.

Here are some players who could be a casualty of an NFL-type system. Feel free to chime in with any other players you feel worthy of being included.

Travis Hafner

On the topic of aging assets, the Cleveland Indians have an interesting situation on their hands regarding Travis Hafner.

During Hafner's best days, he was one of the most dangerous hitters in the AL Central and was consistently in AL MVP consideration.

He's run into issues staying on the field since then, but if healthy, he can still definitely be a home run threat in the Indians' lineup. Either way, you would think a trade may be more likely to occur, as it's looking more and more like this will be Hafner's last season in Cleveland.

A.J. Burnett

It's no secret that A.J. Burnett has struggled with his control on the mound throughout his career—something that was only amplified when playing in Yankee Stadium.

Despite a new change of scenery, as a whole, he clearly hasn't lived up to the five-year, $82.5 million contract he originally signed.

Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano's tenure with the Minnesota Twins has certainly been one filled with ups and downs. He's shown the ability to be a very effective strikeout pitcher, but his inconsistent production has raised some concerns.

He's off to a brutal start in 2012, and if he suddenly disappeared from the Twins rotation, I don't think anyone would miss him.

Torii Hunter

Torii Hunter's defensive abilities will never be called into question, as he's one of the best outfielders we've seen in a long time.

His offensive ability is there, and he's been a solid contributor from a statistical perspective, averaging 22 home runs and 85 RBI per season since signing with the Angels.

It's just a matter of deciding whether that's worth nearly $20 million per season.

Stephen Drew

After seeing his 2011 season cut to just 86 games, Stephen Drew will no doubt come out with something to prove once he takes to the field.

He'll have added incentive as he enters free agency in 2013, and as a Scott Boras client will no doubt be on the market, so if they had the flexibility, letting him go might be the easiest option.

Ichiro Suzuki

Having not known any other team in Major League Baseball, it'd be hard to imagine Ichiro Suzuki playing in any uniform other than the Seattle Mariners.

His 2011 season showed a slight decline from his past seasons in Seattle, and while he's still a great outfielder, he's making $17 million this season, which may be too rich for the team's blood moving forward.

Alfonso Soriano

As one of only four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season, Alfonso 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.

His contract has been a thorn in the Cubs' side and is certainly something they wouldn't mind ridding themselves of.

Joe Mauer

Fans in Minnesota love that Joe Mauer is a hometown boy and has enjoyed success in the same state he grew up in.

But the reality is, his contract accounts for nearly 25 percent of the team's payroll, and his passive attitude towards rehabilitating from injury, time and time again, is starting to call his value into question.

He's had enough of a track record as a hitter in this league to think he'll bounce back to the top of the league in batting average, but his lack of power and the growing likelihood that he'll switch to a less-taxing position make it hard to believe he'll live up to the $184 million paycheck he's earning.

Barry Zito

After striking out more than 200 batters in 2001 and winning the AL Cy Young award in 2002, Barry Zito was well on his way to becoming one of the few elite pitchers in the game.

He would win 55 more games and make two All-Star appearances in four more seasons before signing a seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.

Zito has since fallen out of favor in San Francisco, losing 61 games in five seasons while winning only 12 in the past two seasons and twice posting an ERA above 5.00.

Grady Sizemore

Having played in barely 100 games over the past two seasons, fans in Cleveland are likely anxious for the return of their center fielder and three-time All-Star Grady Sizemore.

He's not making an outlandish amount of money in 2012, but since he has yet to set foot on the field, he's just eating payroll right now.

Joakim Soria

Averaging 36 saves per season the last four years as the Kansas City Royals closer, Joakim Soria had hoped to continue to shut the door on AL Central opponents in 2012.

Injuries derailed that opportunity, and if the team could opt to cut him rather than pick up the more than $16 million in options over the next two seasons, it wouldn't hurt.

Carlos Lee

Carlos Lee is entering the final year of a $100 million deal with the Houston Astros in 2012, and while they'd no doubt like to trade him to build up some value for future seasons, a free pass at ridding themselves of the salary obligation could open doors.

Justin Morneau

When he's been healthy, Justin Morneau is one of the most valuable offensive threats the Minnesota Twins have.

The problem is, he's not healthy all that often. Set to make $28 million between now and 2013, the team's rebuilding process could get a much-needed jolt by freeing that payroll.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

Dice-K went 33-15 in his first two seasons with the Red Sox, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2007.

He's made only 44 starts in the past three seasons, however, and is expected to miss time early this season as he awaits a return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last July.

Jayson Werth

With 2009 and 2010 (.282 BA, 64 HR, 184 RBI) as Werth's most significantly successful seasons, the Washington Nationals caused many to scratch their heads in signing Werth to a seven-year, $126 million contract.

Werth's reward to Nationals fans in 2011 was a season in which he batted .232, drove in only 58 runs and struck out a career-high 160 times.

Yuniesky Betancourt

After a one-year stint in Milwaukee, Yuniesky Betancourt is back in Kansas City after signing a $2 million deal.

His salary certainly doesn't break the bank, but with the number of prospects ready to show their stuff in K.C., ridding themselves of Betancourt isn't the worst decision that could be made.

Carl Pavano

Even after signing free-agent pitcher Jason Marquis to a one-year deal this offseason, the Minnesota Twins still have a number of questions in the starting rotation.

Carl Pavano has been a bright spot for the team in the past couple seasons, but with what is once again looking to be a stagnant offense and even more question marks in the bullpen, the team could benefit from counting their losses and working on developing the youthful arms in the organization.

Joe Blanton

The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the best rotations in the game towing the rubber on a nightly basis, with pitchers like Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee holding down the front of the rotation.

Joe Blanton started in only eight games in 2011 for the Phillies, and the Boston Globe has reported that the team is willing to eat some of Blanton's contract in order to work a trade, indicating that even though he may not be the biggest target out there, he certainly is movable.

Alex Rios

The $70 million contract Alex Rios is playing under is just another bad contract the Blue Jays gave out that was taken on by another organization.

Since coming over to the Chicago White Sox, Rios is batting 35 points lower (.250) than in Toronto with an OPS more than 100 points lower (.685).

Jason Bay

Missing 67 games in 2010 and 39 in 2011, Jason Bay hasn't exactly been the example of consistency in the New York Mets clubhouse.

He's making $16 million this year and next and has a vesting option of $17 million if he reaches certain numbers of plate appearances over the next couple seasons.

James Loney

Since making the move to the majors in 2006, James Loney has only once batted below .281, when he went .267 in 2010 (though he still notched 157 hits and drove in 88 runs).

His inconsistency has reared its head in 2012, as he's barely batting over .200 and has put out virtually nothing in the way of offensive production.

Alex Gonzalez

Taking over for Yuniesky Betancourt in the Brewers' infield, the bar wasn'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 hoped to rebound in a new-look infield that will only has Rickie Weeks returning from last season.

Instead, his season has been ended prematurely after he tore his ACL over the weekend.

Carlos Zambrano

Carlos Zambrano isn't exactly off to the roughest of starts this season, and while I'm sure many are just waiting for him to implode, he may have finally found a groove that may keep him in line.

Still, he's making $18 million this season, and with a potential vesting option for 2013, he's in line to get a heck of a lot more than he's worth.

Victor Martinez

With the Detroit Tigers set to achieve big in the AL Central once again in 2012, it's hard to believe they could get by without missing a beat with Victor Martinez on the shelf.

He's getting paid $13 million this season and will be guaranteed $25 over the following two seasons—a number that could be greatly inflated if he doesn't return to form.

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, and though he's continued his improved play in 2012, his salary could be expendable for the penny-pinching Rays.

Vernon Wells

The Toronto Blue Jays are still thanking the Los Angeles Angels for taking Vernon Wells and his $126 million contract off their hands.

Since signing his mega deal, Wells has batted only .262 (including an abysmal .218 this past season) and has only once reached 80 RBI.

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.

Joey Votto

Joey Votto certainly got himself a great payday when he signed his massive contract extension recently.

While he's definitely putting out great productivity right now, he's set to make over $100 million AFTER turning 36, when his productivity will certainly decline from where he's at.

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.

The Twins clearly need to clean house and start from scratch, and getting rid of a pitcher like Capps could be a good way to set the tone for the future of the team's bullpen.

Brian Roberts

Since signing a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts has played in exactly 98 games, hit seven home runs and driven in 34 RBI.

To top that off, he's batted more than 30 points below his career average since signing the contract. Safe to say he's not earning much of the $10 million he's being paid.

Wandy Rodriguez

Having been a part of trade talks since last summer, it's almost surprising that Houston Astros ace Wandy Rodriguez has yet to find a new home.

Rodriguez's best chance at moving is likely closer to the trade deadline. But given the Astros' willingness to eat half of the $36 million left on his contract, you'd have to think they'd prefer to just rid themselves of the burden than soak up the damage to move him.

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.

Jamey Carroll

Signing a player nearing 40 years of age to a two-year deal to be your starting shortstop is definitely a head-scratcher, but that's exactly what the Minnesota Twins did in bringing Jamey Carroll into the fold.

Barely a month into the season, the team has called up Brian Dozier to take over as the team's starting shortstop.

Carl Crawford

When Carl Crawford signed his seven-year, $142 million contract prior to the start of last season, Red Sox fans certainly set the bar high for his expectations.

He failed to live up to them across the board in 2011, and he has yet to play in 2012, further diminishing the immediate value he brings to the team.

Jake Peavy

Things haven't gone at all to plan, as a number of injuries have derailed Peavy's stay in Chicago to the tune of a 17-13 record and a 4.49 ERA, nearly 1.5 runs higher than it was when he was in San Diego.

He's gotten off to a good start this year, but with a $22 million option kicking in next year, the team will likely look to go in a different direction.

Coco Crisp

Having been with the Oakland Athletics since 2010, Coco Crisp is back again in 2012 after signing a two-year, $14 million deal prior to the season.

He's batting under .200 this season, and while he struggles to get on base, he continues to devalue anything that he has on his side.

Carlos Quentin

Primed to help the stagnant offense of the San Diego Padres get off the ground in 2012, Carlos Quentin has yet to appear in a game for the team this season.

He's making just over $7 million this season, and with the possibility of him not returning next year, you have to wonder how much of an investment the Padres would be making if they could just rid themselves of obligations.

Adam Dunn

When the Chicago White Sox signed Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million contract prior to the 2011 season, they anticipated him being a powerful complement to Paul Konerko's bat in the lineup.

Things didn't go as planned, as Dunn batted an awful .159 this season and hit only 11 home runs, a more than 70-percent drop from 2010 when he went deep 38 times.

Ryan Howard

Knowing that Ryan Howard isn't a man who will hit for average and contact, it's easy to see his value lies in power numbers.

But despite all the home runs he hits and RBI he racks up, he's still being given a sum of money well more than he's worth.

Howard's new contract will pay him $20 million annually the first two years and will pay him $25 million the final three years, meaning he'll earn $25 million as a 36-year-old with likely diminishing power.

Delmon Young

It's not usually a good thing for a baseball player when your name is in the media for something you've done off the field instead of on it, and Delmon Young's newfound fame is no exception.

Since he likely doesn't have a long-term future in Detroit, you'd have to think an incident like his could be enough to get the ax, if only it were that easy.