Every MLB Team's Top Player Who Will NEVER Be a Hall of Famer

It's not a slight on a player to say that they aren't Hall of Fame material when the simple fact is that very few players are.

Of the thousands of players who have played in the major leagues, only a small fraction are ever truly considered for inclusion in baseball's most exclusive club—and only a fraction of that group wind up as jacket-wearing members.

Hundreds of players can point to the multiple All-Star selections and major awards such as the Cy Young or MVP that dot their resumes, yet year after year they are passed over by the majority of voters.

These players fall into the abyss that is the land of the very, very good.

When we look at the rosters of teams today, you have some players who are locks for the Hall of Fame: Albert Pujols, Chipper Jones, Miguel Cabrera and Derek Jeter are the first who come to mind.

But those sure-fire locks are few and far between.

A case can be made as to why many of today's players belong in the Hall of Fame, just as a case can be made against them.

That's what we are about to do. We'll look at both sides of the argument, weigh the merits of each but ultimately wind up with the same conclusion—this group of players is headed to the abyss.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Upton

Career Stats: 721 G, .277/.357/.476, 106 HR, 358 RBI, 728 H, 431 R, 78 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

He has a really high ceiling, he's already received legitimate MVP consideration and has been an All-Star twice.

Why He Will Never Get Into the Hall of Fame

We thought Justin Upton had arrived in 2009, only to watch him take a step back in 2010.

Last year, Upton finished fourth in the National League MVP voting, and it was official—the 24-year-old had officially arrived.

Only he hasn't, as 2012 has seen him take another step backwards, increasing the uncertainty as to where he'll be playing in 2013.

The Justin Upton who only plays when the year ends in an odd number* has a career .294 hitter who averages 28 home runs and 87 RBI a season.

The other guy hits .269 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI a season.

He's only 25 years old and still has a chance to become the player that most believe he's capable of becoming, but Justin Upton needs to get going if he plans on being enshrined in Cooperstown one day.

But if we've learned anything from his older brother B.J., it's that three years from now,we'll be still be singing the same song about Justin.

How can I be so sure? We are still saying the same thing about B.J., and he celebrates his 29th birthday next year.

I say that Justin Upton will finish his career close to  what Kal Daniels would have been had he not undergone six knee surgeries and been forced to retire early—a very good player, nothing more.

*Does not include the 44 games Upton played in 2007 as a 19-year-old.

Atlanta Braves: Tim Hudson, RHP

Career Stats: 405 G (404 GS), 197-103, 3.42 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 2,675 IP, 2,499 H, 1,797 K, 25 CG

The Case For Enshrinement

A three-time All-Star, Tim Hudson has finished no worse than fifth in the Cy Young voting three times. His 20 wins in 2000 while with the A's led the American League.

He has never finished a season with a losing record and his .657 winning percentage ranks 21st all-time.

Multiple times Hudson has landed in the Top 10 of both the American and National League in ERA, games started, complete games and wins.

Why He Will Never Make The Hall of Fame

He only has one 20-win season to his credit, and at no point during his career was he considered the best pitcher around. He's always been very good, but never considered to be great.

Even if he were to continue pitching past the 2013 season when his contract expires, Hudson will always fall into a group of pitchers that includes names like John Candelaria and Jimmy Key—quality pitchers who fall short of legendary status.

Baltimore Orioles: Brian Roberts, 2B

Career Stats: 1,250 G, .280/.351/.413, 84 HR, 482 RBI, 1,386 H, 777 R, 275 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A two-time All-Star considered to be one of the best second basemen in baseball from 2004 through 2009,

Roberts led the league in doubles on two separate occasions and in stolen bases once.

Why He Will Never Get Into the Hall of Fame

He's played in a total of 110 games since the start of the 2010 season, missing significant chunks of time with a myriad of injuries. 

Among second baseman, he ranks 24th and 23rd all time in doubles and stolen bases—the only two offensive categories in which he appears in the all-time Top 50 for second basemen.

He simply wasn't good enough for long enough..

Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz, DH

Career Stats: 1,832 G, .285/.380/.547, 401 HR, 1,326 RBI, 1,863 H, 1,124 R, 11 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A two-time World Series champion, an eight-time All-Star, and MVP of the 2004 ALCS, Ortiz finished no worse than fifth in the AL MVP voting for five consecutive seasons, from 2004 through 2009.

He led the American League in RBI in both 2005 and 2006, a season that saw him lead the league in home runs as well. No designated hitter in history has more home runs (353) or RBI (1,149) than Ortiz.

Why He Will Never Get Into the Hall of Fame

Until Edgar Martinez, who is widely considered to be the best designated hitter of all-time and the man whose name is on an award that Ortiz has won six times as baseball's best DH is elected to the Hall of Fame, it's hard to make a case for Ortiz. 

Couple that with the fact that Ortiz confirmed, in 2003, that his inclusion on the infamous Mitchell Report was accurate and that he did, in fact, test positive for a banned substance,

While Ortiz insisted to reporters that the positive test was the result of a then-legal supplement which he couldn't name and not steroids (h/t ESPN) that cloud of suspicion will hang over his entire career and be a sticking point for voters when his name appears on their ballots.

Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano, LF

Alfonso Soriano Career Stats: 1,749 G, .273/.323/.505, 371 HR, 1,032 RBI, 1,891 H, 1,042 R, 270 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A seven-time All-Star who has hit at least 20 home runs for 11 consecutive seasons and driven in 100 or more runs three times, Soriano led the American League in hits (209), runs scored (128) and stolen bases (41) in 2002, and has three 30-30 seasons and one 40-40 season on his resume.

Why He Will Never Get Into the Hall of Fame

Had he remained at second base, it would be a different story, but his move from the infield to the outfield in 2006 makes Soriano just another very good player who had a couple of great seasons over the course of his career.

Alfonso Soriano is like Joe Carter with a slightly better batting line, weaker defense and none of the World Series glory.

Chicago White Sox: Paul Konerko, 1B

Career Stats: 2,133 G, .283/.359/.499, 420 HR, 1,331 RBI, 2,175 H, 1,102 R, 9 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A six-time All-Star with more than 400 career home runs, Paul Konerko has hit 20 or more home runs for nine consecutive seasons and in 13 of his last 14. 

Six times he's driven in more than 100 runs and he's hit .300 or better on five different occasions.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Time.

Konerko, 36, is only signed through the 2013 season—and as he told CSN Chicago's Chuck Garfien back in January, don't be surprised to see him walk away from the game when it's over:

"

No doubt it could be (my last season). Yeah, in all reality I would see it ending after next year or maybe another year. I mean, at some point you got to go home and be around your kids and have other things to do.

There's obviously this year and I have another year left on the contract, and I would not have signed up for that if I didn't think I could pull it off. But at that point I'll be 38 years old going into the following year. If someone wants me, and I'm willing to do the work it takes through the offseason, and through spring training and through the year, then I would be willing to play.  

But if any of those things don't exist, I would never just play to say, 'Well, this team wants me and I can kind of hang on for another year and kind of go through the motions here. I have to be doing what I know it takes for me to play. Otherwise, it's not for me. I have to do the crazy amounts of preparation. It has to be there. If I'm not willing to do all the grind, then I've got some other things I'd like to do.

"

That sounds like a man who already has his mind made up to me; that 2013 will be the last season of his fantastic career.

There's no way he's going to reach 500 career home runs between now and the end of next season, and it's unlikely that he'd reach that level even if he returned to play in 2014.

When it comes to the Hall of Fame, he falls into the land of the very, very good, where he'll take a seat next to players like Fred McGriff and Dale Murphy.

Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips, 2B

Career Stats: 1,180 G, .273/.322/.435, 148 HR, 600 RBI, 1,243 H, 651 R, 154 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A three-time Gold Glove award winner and two-time All-Star, Brandon Phillips has been one of the better second basemen in baseball since joining the Reds in 2007.

His 148 career home runs are the 23rd most by a second baseman in the history of the game. Davey Lopes is seven home runs ahead of Phillips for 22nd place.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Phillips has been good, but he's never been great. While he still has plenty of quality baseball left to play, he's on the wrong side of 30 and isn't going to get any better than he already is.

Aside from home runs, Phillips appears nowhere in the Top 50 of any offensive statistic for second basemen.

Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner, DH

Career Stats: 1,097 G, .278/.381/.507, 200 HR, 692 RBI, 1,052 H, 586 R, 9 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

From 2004 through 2007, Travis Hafner was one of the premier sluggers in the game, averaging 32 home runs and 108 RBI a season while driving in more than 100 runs in each of the four seasons.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

A four-year period isn't nearly enough to merit consideration for enshrinement, especially when you consider that he's only played the field in 6.5 percent of the games he's appeared in.

Had he been able to stay healthy we might be having a different conversation, but he's 35 years old and on the downside of his career. Hafner's numbers are comparable with former Mariners first baseman Alvin Davis, who was a solid player but in no way, shape or form a Hall of Fame player.

Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez, RF

Career Stats: 581 G, .299/.355/.518, 99 HR, 349 RBI, 648 H, 376 R, 86 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

Each of the past three seasons has seen Gonzalez hit at least 20 home runs, steal at least 20 bases and drive in at least 85 runs.

He led the National League in hits (197) and batting average (.336) in 2010, finishing third in the NL MVP voting.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Coors Field.

At home, CarGo has a career batting line of .353/.413/.641 with 62 home runs and 211 RBI.

On the road? A career batting line of .258/.313/.422 with 34 home runs and 120 RBI.

Outside of Coors Field, Carlos Gonzalez doesn't produce enough to garner votes for the All-Star game, much less support for a Hall of Fame vote.

Detroit Tigers: Prince Fielder, 1B

Career Stats: 1,150 G, .286/.392/.537, 257 HR, 758 RBI, 1,164 H, 649 R, 17 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

One of the great sluggers in the game today, Prince Fielder has led the league in home runs, RBI and walks once.

Three times he has hit more than 30 home runs and broke the 40 and 50 plateaus each once while driving in at least 100 run in five of his six full seasons.

Fielder has been incredibly durable, playing in all 162 games twice (and on pace to do it again in 2012).

His career numbers up to this point are in line with those of Hall of Famers Eddie Murray, Jim Rice and Orlando Cepeda.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Fielder has been remarkably durable for a player who, while his listed weight is 275 pounds, is widely thought to play at over 300 pounds regularly.

The older he gets, the more difficult his body will find it to carry the extra weight and he's apt to begin breaking down.

While he's a significantly better player than his father ever was, it should be noted that like his son, Cecil Fielder was an overweight, slugging first baseman who was out of the game before he celebrated his 35th birthday.

Even if Fielder has another five years of top-flight play, averaging 25 home runs a season, he'll still find himself with less than 400 home runs as he hits his 34th birthday.

Houston Astros: Jed Lowrie, SS

Career Stats: 345 G, .253/.329/.421, 34 HR, 158 RBI, 283 H, 151 R, 5 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

The Hall of Fame needs more members named Jed.

That's the best I've got. Jed Lowrie is the best player on a bad team.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Really? You did read the reason why Lowrie should be enshrined, didn't you?

And you still looked down here to see why he wouldn't get in?

Kansas City Royals: Billy Butler, DH

Career Stats: 843 G, .300/.362/.467, 101 HR, 474 RBI, 944 H, 378 R, 5 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

Butler has hit .300 or better with at least 15 home runs, 75 RBI and 30 doubles three times in his five full seasons in the major leagues.

He's accumulated more than 180 hits and 90 RBI three times.

Unlike other designated hitters, Butler has played more than a third of his career games in the field and was a fine defensive first baseman.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

The longer he plays, the lower the percent of games he played in the field will become. Butler will have to get in line behind Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz as full-time designated hitters who are awaiting their enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.

He's made only one All-Star team and never been in the top-20 of any major award voting. 

Los Angeles Angels: Torii Hunter, RF

Career Stats: 1,939 G, .276/.334/.465, 296 HR, 1,135 RBI, 1,972 H, 1,062 R, 186 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

One of the premier defensive players of his era, Hunter won nine consecutive Gold Glove awards in center field for both the Twins and the Angels.

He's hit at least 20 home runs and driven in 80 runs 10 times during his 16-year career.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Defense is largely ignored by the voters when it comes to enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, so while Hunter's nine consecutive Gold Glove awards are impressive, they don't carry much weight.

He's never been the premier player either at his position or in the game, has never led the league in any offensive category and he's never hit .300 in a season, though he is batting .304 with just over a week to go in the 2012 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

Career Stats: 1,167 G, .293/.370/.507, 213 HR, 746 RBI, 1,286 H, 667 R, 4 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A four-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove award winner, Adrian Gonzalez has driven in more than 100 runs on five different occasions. 

He led the National League in walks in 2009 and the American League in hits in 2011.

Gonzalez broke the 40-home run plateau once and the 30-home run mark three times.

Over the first six full seasons of his career, he's never failed to finish a season with less than 20 home runs and 80 RBI.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

He's still quite far from reaching any of the magic numbers that all but guarantee enshrinement in the Hall of Fame and he's never been considered among the best players of his era.

Gonzalez will go down as an excellent baseball player, but not a legendary one.

Miami Marlins: Jose Reyes, SS

Career Stats: 1,201 G, .291/.341/.440, 92 HR, 479 RBI, 1,473 H, 817 R, 406 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A four-time All-Star, owner of a Gold Glove award and the National League batting champion in 2011, Jose Reyes is one of the best shortstops of his time.

He's led the National League in triples four times, stolen bases three times and hits once.

Among shortstops, Reyes ranks 10th in stolen bases, 13th in batting average and triples and 14th in OPS 

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

His entire game is predicated on his speed, and Reyes has not only dealt with leg injuries in the past, but he's not going to get faster as he gets older.

Even if his legs don't fail him, by the time his career is over his overall numbers will still pale in comparison to those shortstops already enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the exception of Ozzie Smith—and Reyes certainly is no Ozzie Smith.

Milwaukee Brewers: Aramis Ramirez, 3B

Career Stats: 1,823 G, .285/.343/.502, 340 HR, 1,219 RBI, 1,949 H, 962 R, 24 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

Twice an All-Star, Aramis Ramirez has three seasons of at least 30 home runs and six seasons of at least 100 RBI.

Among third baseman, he ranks 10th all-time in OPS, 11th in home runs, 12th in doubles and 14th in RBI.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

He's never finished higher than 10th in the MVP voting, has never been considered the best at his position, and while he ranks in-or-near the Top 10 in a number of offensive categories among third basemen, many of those ahead of him aren't Hall of Fame-worthy either.

Graig Nettles has more home runs and RBI than Ramirez, and Nettles was a far superior defensive player, but he's not in the Hall of Fame. He also trails both Gary Gaetti and Matt Williams in both categories, and neither one of them is enshrined in Cooperstown either.

Minnesota Twins: Justin Morneau, 1B

Career Stats: 1,146 G, .281/.351/.494, 204 HR, 786 RBI, 1,189 H, 610 R, 5 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A four-time All-Star and the 2006 American League MVP, Justin Morneau was one of the game's best players from 2006 through 2009 before a concussion would effectively rob him of the next two seasons.

Three times he's hit 30 home runs and he drove in at least 100 runs for four consecutive seasons.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Morneau has never been quite the same player since suffering his concussion, and while he's looked more like his old self this season, he still has plenty of work to do if he wants to return to the heights of his former glory.

Even with a MVP award to his credit, Morneau simply doesn't fare well against the best first basemen who ever played the game. He fails to register in the Top 50 of any offensive category for first basemen all-time.

New York Mets: R.A. Dickey, RHP

Career Stats: 236 G (137 GS), 60-56, 3.99 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 1,045 IP, 1,063 H, 718 K, 9 CG

The Case For Enshrinement

Assuming things go as they should, Dickey will be taking home his first Cy Young award after a remarkable 2012 season that sees his name all over the pitching leader boards.

Dickey leads the National League in ERA, innings pitched, complete games and shutouts. He ranks near the lead in wins and strikeouts.

Why He Will Never Make The Hall of Fame

While he may have a few more years of being able to pitch at a high level left in him, he does turn 38 years old next month.

Even with him being a knuckleball pitcher, Dickey's power knuckleball doesn't reduce the strain on his arm like a regular knuckleball would, and aside from winning multiple Cy Young awards, there's no chance he can reach even the most modest career numbers that would make someone think he was Hall of Fame worthy.

Dickey has been excellent for one season, but it's only one season.

New York Yankees: Curtis Granderson, CF

Career Stats: 1,116 G, .262/.341/.491, 207 HR, 580 RBI, 1,099 H, 742 R, 113 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

He hit 40 home runs in back-to-back seasons, was selected to three All-Star games and twice finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting.

In 2011, he led the American League in runs scored and RBI, and twice before that he led the league in triples.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Granderson's greatest success came when he became a one-dimensional player. It's been all-or-nothing with Granderson at the plate: either he goes deep or he strikes out. 

He's Adam Dunn with more speed and a lower on-base percentage—and that doesn't get you into the Hall of Fame.

Oakland A's: Brandon McCarthy, RHP

Career Stats: 153 G (99 GS), 37-39, 4.02 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 654 IP, 649 H, 447 K, 6 CG

The Case For Enshrinement

McCarthy has considered a big-time prospect until injuries took their toll.

Since returning from a shoulder injury that cost him the entire 2010 season, McCarthy has been one of the more consistent pitchers in the American League.

Why He Will Never Make The Hall of Fame

McCarthy has never won double-digit games, he's only thrown more than 100 innings three times and only broken the 100 strikeout mark once.

He's developed into a nice starting pitcher, but he'll never be anything more than that.

Pittsburgh Pirates: A.J. Burnett, RHP

Career Stats: 343 G (338 GS), 137-119, 4.05 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 2,149 IP, 1.960 H, 1,963 K, 22 CG

The Case For Enshrinement

Burnett has reached double-digit win totals 10 times (including eight consecutive seasons) over the course of his 14-year career.

In 2008, Burnett led the American League in both games started and strikeouts.

Why He Will Never Make The Hall of Fame

Burnett has never been considered among the greats of his day, never sniffed the Cy Young award ballots and failed miserably in the biggest media market in the world.

Not that his career numbers warrant much Hall of Fame consideration on their own, voters won't be quick to forget his three seasons in the Bronx with the Yankees and they'll hold it against him.

Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley, 2B

Career Stats: 1,183 G, .288/.377/.502, 199 HR, 735 RBI, 1,268 H, 773 R, 119 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

Enjoyed a five-year stretch from 2004 through 2009 where he was considered one of, if not the best second baseman in baseball.

A five-time All-Star, Utley hit 30 home runs or more three times and has four seasons with at least 100 RBI.

Twice a .300 hitter, Utley finished in the Top 10 of the MVP voting three times.

Among second baseman, he ranks 13th in home runs and 42nd in RBI, 

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Much like Don Mattingly, Utley's formative years were cut short due to injury. He simply wasn't good enough for long enough to warrant serious Hall of Fame consideration.

San Diego Padres: Chase Headley, 3B

Career Stats: 681 G, .272/.349/.414, 65 HR, 312 RBI, 667 H, 303 R, 58 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

He's been an above-average defensive player at third base throughout his career and has one season with more than 20 home runs and 100 RBI to his credit.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Headley was a late bloomer with his breakout season coming at the age of 28.

Even if he were to average 25 home runs a season over the next decade, he'd still fall far short of Hall of Fame consideration.

Were he able to do that, he'd fall into a group that includes Vinny Castilla and Troy Glaus as good third baseman who weren't great.

San Francisco Giants: Hunter Pence, RF

Career Stats: 885 G, .286/.340/.475, 135 HR, 508 RBI, 985 H, 470 R, 67 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A two-time All-Star, Pence has five consecutive seasons of hitting at least 20 home runs and three seasons of driving in at least 90 runs.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Hunter Pence is a solid offensive player who struggles defensively, has never been a legitimate MVP candidate or considered to be among the best outfielders in the game.

His career numbers are similar to those of Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier, another solid outfielder but not an all-time great by any means.

Seattle Mariners: Kevin Millwood, RHP

Career Stats: 451 G (443 GS), 169-152, 4.11 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 2,720 IP, 2,770 H, 2,083 K, 22 CG

The Case For Enshrinement

He's reached double-digit wins eight times, won at least 15 games in a season four times, and finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting twice.

In 1999 he led the National League in WHIP. In 2005 he led the American League in ERA and he's thrown at least 200 innings five times.

Why He Will Never Make The Hall of Fame

Millwood was a solid starting pitcher over the first half of his career, not so much as his career winds down.

Remember Kevin Appier? He was a slightly better pitcher than Millwood, and nobody is confusing Appier with an all-time great.

St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina, C

Career Stats: 1,074 G, .279/.337/.393, 75 HR, 460 RBI, 1,015 H, 338 R, 37 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

The best catcher in the game, 30-year-old Yadier Molina is a four-time All-Star and a three-time .300 hitter who is in line to win his fifth consecutive Gold Glove award.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Great behind the dish, Molina's offensive numbers pale in comparison with what we expect to see from Hall of Famers, even at the catching position.

Molina still has productive years ahead of him, but he'd need to have multiple seasons with either big-time power numbers pr 200 hits and a high batting average  to vault himself into the realm of consideration for the Hall of Fame.

Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields, RHPYe[

Career Stats: 216 G (215 GS), 87-72, 3.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 1,439 IP, 1,431 H, 1,229 K, 18 CG

The Case For Enshrinement

James Shields has posted double-digit win totals and thrown at least 200 innings for six consecutive seasons, becoming one of the more reliable starting pitchers in the game today.

He finished third in the Cy Young voting in 2011 when he led the league in both complete games and shutouts.

Why He Will Never Make The Hall of Fame

Shields has been consistent, but only exceptional once in a seven-year career.

Even if he were to continue down the road of consistency for the better part of the next decade, he'd still fall short of the 200 win mark, much less 300, and simply being a workhorse doesn't gain you admittance into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown..

Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton, CF

Career Stats: 727 G, .304/.364/.551, 160 HR, 548 RBI, 847 H, 466 R, 43 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A perennial MVP candidate, Josh Hamilton is a five-time All-Star, a MVP award winner and a batting champion.

Three times he's driven in more than 100 runs and he's cracked the 40 home run mark once, the 30 home run mark twice.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Injuries and time.

Had he not missed the first part of his career due to his off-field issues, Hamilton would certainly be further down the road with his career numbers, he might have additional MVP awards to his credit and we'd have a longer track record of success.

For Hamilton to make it to Cooperstown, he'll have to buck his penchant for getting injured and find a way to recreate the last few years over the next six-to-seven seasons in order to truly garner support from the voters.

He's a hard-worker and seems like a nice guy who made some bad choices, but there isn't anyone who isn't related to Hamilton that really thinks we'll see that scenario play itself out.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Bautista, RF

Career Stats: 977 G, .253/.362/.486, 183 HR, 503 RBI, 801 H, 519 R, 37 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

A three-time All-Star, Bautista led the game in home runs over a two-year period from 2010 through 2011, clubbing 54 and 43, respectively.

Twice he's finished in the top four of MVP voting, the same number of years in which he's driven in at least 100 runs.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Bautista didn't break out of his shell until the season in which he turned 29-years-old, and expecting him to keep hitting home runs at a prodigious pace as he gets deeper into his 30s simply isn't realistic.

When his career comes to an end, he'll go down as a player who was one of the best sluggers in the game at his peak, but a player whose peak simply wasn't long enough.

Washington Nationals: Adam LaRoche, 1B

Career Stats: 1,177 G, .268/.337/.483, 196 HR, 682 RBI, 1,105 H, 562 R, 6 SB

The Case For Enshrinement

He's hit at least 20 home runs in six seasons, 30 home runs in two and driven in at least 90 RBI seven times.

Why He Will Never Get into the Hall of Fame

Never has the name Adam LaRoche been followed by the phrase "one of the best in baseball."

He's never made an All-Star team, never been considered a MVP candidate, and never led the league in anything.

He's been a solid pro—but nothing more.