MLB Trade Rumors: Johan Santana and 10 Overpaid Talents Who Could Be Dealt
Because of the absence of a salary cap in Major League Baseball, many singular strong seasons get rewarded with huge contracts in hopes that players will replicate a big year. Many of these players don't sustain their production and acquire a nasty label: overpaid.
There are times when teams come to a decision point with certain high-priced players where they must evaluate whether the player, while obviously talented, is worth keeping and paying or dealing for something in return. Age and injury are relevant factors that go into the decision making process.
The following list contains a bevy of talented players that are, for one reason or another, not living up to their contract, but still hold considerable trade value.
Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs 3B
1 of 10
Contract Status
$14.6 million with $16 million club option for 2012
Why He's Overpaid: He isn't doing what he's paid to do: hit home runs and drive in runs. Ramirez's batting average dipped to a disturbing .241 last year after he returned from injury, and his 83 RBI were among his lowest total for a season, even a shortened one. This year, he has just one home run through 133 at-bats.
Aramis' glove slipped with his bat last season, making 16 errors and earning his lowest fielding percentage since 2003.
Why He Could Be Traded
He's got a short contract commitment, is just 32 years of age and he's healthy for the first time in three years. The Cubs have plenty of depth on the infield to replace Ramirez, and receiving teams could rent him for the remainder of this season and, if it doesn't work out, let him go with no strings attached.
Carlos Beltran, New York Mets RF
2 of 10
Contract Status
$18.5 million
Why He's Overpaid
Carlos Beltran hasn't played a full season since his fantastic 2008. At age 34, he's not the same dynamic five-tool player he was several years ago, even when healthy.
Why He Could Be Traded
His contract is short, he's off to a great start in 2011, and his defense hasn't slipped. These are indicators that Beltran might have significant value on the market for a team that is willing to take on the contract. If he continues to hit the ball like it's 2007, the market for him will soar as the Mets look to pare payroll obligations.
Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox CP
3 of 10
Contract Status
$12 million
Why He's Overpaid
Over the last two years, Jonathan Papelbon's save opportunities have become more adventurous and less certain. Last year, he collected the worst ERA, walk, save and blown save totals of his closing career.
Daniel Bard, the young flamethrower, has challenged for the closer title and is paid about a half million dollars. If the Red Sox could get even 80 percent of Papelbon's production from Bard at the price decrease, they'd take it in a second.
Why He Could Be Traded
Boston seems apathetic about re-signing their long-time closer. He likely won't cost less than the $12 million he took for 2011, and the Red Sox need to evaluate whether his level of production is worth the price it will take to bring him back for a long-term deal. Promoting Bard to the closer role seems like the path of least resistance and cost for the Red Sox.
There are a slew of teams that could greatly benefit from a trade for Papelbon. The Red Sox will have a line of suitors for their 30-year-old closer as the trade deadline approaches.
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Johan Santana, New York Mets SP
4 of 10
Contract Status
$72 million through 2013 with $25 million option for 2014
Why He's Overpaid
Johan Santana is only at the midpoint of his six-year, $137.5 million contract, and he's already losing his ability to stay on the mound. Two years ago, he managed just 25 starts. He hasn't pitched yet in 2011 while recovering from shoulder surgery, and is not expected to pitch for the Mets until July at the earliest. It doesn't matter how good Santana is: paying a 32-year-old pitcher $22.5 million to make less than 15 starts is more than he's worth.
By the time the club has control over him at at the close of 2013, he'll be 34 years old and likely in worse shape than he is now.
Why He Could Be Traded
The Mets aren't married to the idea of keeping Santana through his contract. Combine that with another team's willingness to take on the financial burden of the two-time Cy Young winner in hopes that he'll return to that form, and it's not hard to see Santana being traded this year or next.
The Mets are in shambles financially and competitively, needing respite from a couple weighty contracts. Santana's is the richest of them all, and while he can still pitch effectively, he's not the same pitcher he was when they signed him in his prime at 29.
Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants SP
5 of 10
Contract Status
$57.5 million through 2013 with an $18 million club option for 2014
Why He's Overpaid
Here is Barry Zito's record since signing his seven-year, $124 million deal in 2007: 40-58 with an ERA around 4.50. Zito has been so incredibly sub-par since he got his new contract that it's impossible to even make an argument to the contrary. Since his Cy Young season of 2004, he hasn't lost less than 10 games, won more than 16 or had an ERA under 3.30.
Case closed.
Why He Could Be Traded
Zito has been stunningly durable. He hasn't missed more than two starts in any season in his 10-year career. Right on cue, though, he makes the first disabled list stint of his career for a foot sprain sustained about a month ago. Regardless, he could produce a stabilizing presence with postseason experience for the middle of a contender's rotation. If the Giants agree to foot some of remaining contract in a trade, Zito's durability could coax a team to cross their fingers, trade for him and hope for a hot streak down the stretch.
Alex Rios, Chicago White Sox CF
6 of 10
Contract Status
$49 million through 2014 with a $13.5 million club option for 2015
Why He's Overpaid
Before last season's bounce back with the Chicago White Sox had a couple wildly disappointing seasons since signing his new contract in 2008. It's hard to justify paying a player $12 million per year to hit less than 20 home runs and under .300, as Rios did. His value has always been tied up in his ability to run and play defense, and rightly so, but shouldn't you get a little more than league average power, good speed and excellent defense from a $12 million per year player? Or is that how much contracts have inflated across MLB?
Why He Could Be Traded
Through six weeks in 2011, Rios is hitting .201 with just three home runs and 10 RBI. In other words, he's starting to underperform like he did in Toronto, and the White Sox might not wait around for him to get right. Rios has a lot of baseball ahead of him at 31 years old, and his versatility qualifies him as valuable to teams looking for a variety of skills.
Carlos Lee, Houston Astros 1B/LF
7 of 10
Contract Status
$37 million through 2012
Why He's Overpaid
Carlos Lee, at 34, has seen his numbers decrease incrementally for three consecutive seasons. Last year's 24 homers and 89 RBI were adequate, but the harbinger of his downfall was the 60-point drop in batting average to .241. Lee's age and slowing bat resulted in a career-low 37 walks and decreased contact. Add to the hitting decline that Lee is becoming a liability in left field, and you have a player who has to move to first base or the American League designated hitter soon.
Why He Could Be Traded
Lee's current numbers are approximately on pace with last year's .241/24/89, which is better than what most outfielders produce. Lee, remember, is losing defensive ability, so anyone who wants him would have to plan around him playing first base or DH for the foreseeable future.
Lee's contract is suitable to a team that wants to make a run at the World Series in the next two years, and his addition to the middle of a lineup could have a great impact.
Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox SP
8 of 10
Contract Status
$14 million
Why He's Overpaid
If you were asked to use a major league pitcher to define the word "ordinary", Mark Buehrle might very well be the most appropriate choice. He pitches over 200 innings every year, tallies somewhere around 120 strikeouts, earns an ERA in the 3.70 range and collects about 13 wins. Those are decent numbers for a major league starter, but Buehrle isn't paid like a regular starter. His $14 million is the 14th highest mark for a pitcher, but his production isn't.
Why He Could Be Traded
Buehrle is a free agent at year's end, and the White Sox would love to get something in return for him instead of letting him walk. The market for a left-handed veteran starter is always strong at the deadline, and there's no doubt in my mind that general manager Ken Williams will field several calls inquiring about his lefty.
Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians 1B/DH
9 of 10
Contract Status
$25 million through 2012 with $13 million club option for 2013
Why He's Overpaid
Injuries and unproductivity. Over the last three seasons, Travis Hafner has missed 215 games and averaged 11 home runs and less than 40 RBI. After a scalding four-year run from 2004-2007, Hafner seemingly went AWOL from the ranks of baseball's best power threats.
Why He Could Be Traded
Hafner is a quintessential slugger: a left-handed RBI machine who can hit the ball 450 feet every time. Lots of teams are looking for lefty power bats, and Hafner's good start this year (five HR, 16 RBI and .340 BA) is an indication that he might be back on his game after a few down years.
Carlos Pena, Chicago Cubs 1B
10 of 10
Contract Status
$10 million
Why He's Overpaid
Carlos Pena landed an audition with the Chicago Cubs, who gave him a boatload of money as incentive to hit home runs this year. Pena has never been a contact hitter, but he's missing a lot this year: 35 strikeouts in just 101 at-bats. With a .201 average and only three home runs thus far, the Pena Experiment looks like a bust for the Cubs.
Why He Could Be Traded
The Cubs could cut bait with Pena and offer him as a summer rental to a team that's looking for a power hitter who works counts. The Cubs have a high payroll and several players on the bench that they'd like to get more plate appearances. Pena never had the look of a permanent piece for the Cubs, so they might be ready to trade him at the first chance they get.
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