The 50 MLB Players Who Don't Deserve To Be in the Big Leagues- Part 1

The 2011 MLB season has now reached its midway point, and while there certainly have been some surprises (Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians) and unexpected disappointments (Minnesota Twins), many of the teams who were expected to be playoff contenders are shaping up to be exactly that.

The season thus far has seen some surprises from players as well, both positive and negative. From the biggest disappointments (Adam Dunn) to the pleasant surprises (Ryan Vogelsong), the current MLB season has certainly seen its share of highs and lows.

However, there are players who are currently on major league rosters who have been positively abysmal and appear to be doing nothing but taking up space for players who are much more deserving.

For the purposes of this list, we will take a look at 50 players throughout MLB that currently don’t deserve to be playing at the major league level. We base the list on how each particular player is performing right now. The list will look at every team’s roster, and we will not use suspected PED use or steroid allegations as a reason to be excluded from an MLB roster.

The list will also be in two parts—the first 15 teams will be covered on Wednesday (not every team has a player represented), and the remaining 15 teams on Thursday.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

1. Arizona Diamondbacks: Melvin Mora

In his first season with the Diamondbacks, third baseman Melvin Mora has pretty much shown that he has absolutely nothing left in the tank. In 41 games, Mora has just six extra base hits and zero home runs, a far cry from just three years ago, when he hit 23 homers and knocked in 104 runners for the Baltimore Orioles in ’08.

With Geoff Blum currently rehabbing from right knee surgery and expected back soon, Mora could very well be the odd man out in Arizona. Judging from the numbers, it would be the right call.

2. Atlanta Braves: Dan Uggla

When the Atlanta Braves made the decision to acquire second baseman Dan Uggla from the Florida Marlins to provide a big-time bat in the middle of their batting order, they certainly weren’t expecting the complete washout that has been the first half for Uggla.

On Saturday, Uggla homered and drove in four runs in his most productive performance of the season, but with a .175 average, Uggla is threatening to put up the worst batting average from a position player since the deadball era ended in 1920.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution two weeks ago that was no consideration at that time by the team to send Uggla down to Triple-A Gwinnett to work out his issues.

Excuse me, but why not? Uggla has shown NO signs of breaking out of his season-long slump—he’s hitting .169 in June thus far and is hitting .167 with runners in scoring position for the year.

Because of his service time, Uggla can refuse a minor league assignment, however he continues to hurt the team offensively, and at some point, the Braves and Uggla SHOULD be sitting down to discuss a minor league assignment to work out his issues.

3. Atlanta Braves: Julio Lugo

The Atlanta Braves called up veteran shortstop Julio Lugo from Triple-A Gwinnett last week to take the place of Diory Hernandez, who was sent down. Lugo has not played regularly as a position player since 2007 with the Boston Red Sox and was an unsigned free agent all winter until the Braves offered him a minor league deal last month.

Lugo played in 13 games for Gwinnett, hitting just .231 at the Triple-A level.

There was a reason Lugo was unsigned during the winter—teams recognized the diminishing skills. Why would Lugo be any more of an upgrade over Diory Hernandez.

Gonzalez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the move had nothing to do with Hernandez missing a bunt sign during a game on June 20, but it’s hard to believe that at this point.

4. Atlanta Braves: Nate McLouth

The Atlanta Braves paid dearly to acquire center fielder Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up two prospects plus Charlie Morton, who is currently 7-4 with a 3.77 ERA for the resurgent Pirates.

McLouth hit just .190 last year in an injury-filled abomination of a season and has hit only .238 this season with three homers.

The Braves have a $1.25 million option to buy out his contract next season. Two words. Think Nike here.

Do it.

5. Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz

In 2010, Baltimore Orioles left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz started off the season shaky to say the least, with a 3-11 record and a 5.46 ERA. However, in August and September, Matusz was a completely different pitcher, going 7-1 with a 2.17 ERA in 11 starts.

But, when spring training started this season, it was apparent that Matusz was having issues—his velocity had dipped dramatically, and he was clearly struggling on the mound. Matusz was placed on the DL to start the season with a strained intercostal muscle.

Since his return from the DL, Matusz has again struggled mightily, with a 1-3 record and 6.85 ERA in five starts, and the velocity is still diminished.

The Orioles have had no issues sending Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman down to Triple-A Norfolk to work out their different issues, why not Matusz?

6. Baltimore Orioles: Justin Duchscherer

Oft-injured pitcher Justin Duchscherer hasn’t even pitched an inning yet this year and has only made three appearances in the past two-plus seasons. He missed the entire 2009 season with shoulder and back issues and battled clinical depression.

Last season, Duchscherer made three starts for the Oakland Athletics, and the Orioles saw fit to sign Duchscherer in February. Granted, the contract was minsicule by baseball standards ($700,000), but why put any money into a player who can’t prove he can stay on the field?

7. Boston Red Sox: Mike Cameron

Before the 2010 season started, the Boston Red Sox paid Mike Cameron $15.5 million over two years to be their fourth outfielder. Not bad money for a man not even pegged to start.

Raise your hand if you believe that was money well-spent.

Anyone?

I didn’t think so.

Cameron was hurt through much of last season, and this year he has contributed a .154 average and five extra base hits.

Anyone?

Didn’t think so.

8. Boston Red Sox: J.D. Drew

There is another right fielder for the Boston Red Sox whom fans seemingly can’t wait to see his contract come to an end—J.D. Drew.

Drew has only been marginally better than his partner in right, Mike Cameron. Drew has contributed a .232 average with four homers and 18 RBI in 62 games for the Sox, and at $14 million this season, that positively screams overpaid.

Not to mention the fact that Drew literally looks like he’s mailing it in. Yes, I know, he has a laid-back demeanor—but at least look you’re happy to be there.

Josh Reddick’s time in Boston manning right field should be NOW, because the platoon of Drew and Cameron has been pathetic thus far.

9. Chicago Cubs: Rodrigo Lopez

For some inexplicable reason, the Chicago Cubs saw fit to trade for pitcher Rodrigo Lopez on May 26, acquiring him from the Atlanta Braves, with whom Lopez hadn’t even been able to crack the major league roster.

Thus far with the Cubs, Lopez is 0-1 with a 6.59 ERA in 10 appearances, including one start on May 30 in which he got shelled, giving up six runs on hits in 4 2/3 innings. Since then, Lopez has been relegated to mostly mop-up duty in the pen and not exactly mowing down any hitters there, either.

10. Chicago Cubs: Doug Davis

Left-handed pitchers always seem to have a life in the majors, regardless of their complete ineffectiveness, and that is seemingly the case with southpaw Doug Davis.

Davis, in eight starts for the Chicago Cubs, is 1-7 with a 6.50 ERA, and save for a nice seven-inning effort against the New York Yankees, the numbers would be much worse.

On Tuesday, Davis got rocked by the San Francisco Giants, giving up 10 runs on 12 hits in 3.2 innings. This against the team who scores the fewest runs in the league.

Do the Cubs really have no other option than to throw out a 35-year-old journeyman to the hill every fifth day?

11. Chicago Cubs: Randy Wells

In 2009, Randy Wells showed a little promise in his first full season with the Chicago Cubs, with a 12-10 record and 3.05 ERA. However, he has shown very little since.

This year, after starting the season on the disabled list with a forearm strain, Wells has been nothing but a batting practice pitcher, notching a 1-2 record and 6.25 ERA in seven starts.

In wondering why the Cubs are off to a 32-47, one only has to look at the level of talent on the pitching staff (Wells, Rodrigo Lopez, Doug Davis) to know why.

12. Chicago White Sox: Adam Dunn

If Adam Dunn were a rookie, and even if he were in his second or third season, he would NOT be in the lineup for the Chicago White Sox. He would be in the minors trying to figure things out.

However, when you pay $56 million over four years for a 10-year veteran, there’s not much you can do but wait it out and see if the season turns around for Dunn. Thus far, Dunn is hitting .173 and has struck out 100 times in just 231 at-bats.

And it’s not even halfway through the season yet.

Dunn clearly does not deserve to be on ANY major league roster right now. But White Sox fans are stuck with him. If anyone other than Dan Uggla deserved a minor league promotion right now, it's clearly Dunn.

Fans would no doubt like to stick a fork in him, 'cuz Dunn is done.

13. Colorado Rockies: Aaron Cook

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Aaron Cook is the winningest pitcher in franchise history, however right now, Cook looks completely lost.

Cook started the season in rough shape—shoulder tendinitis felled him for much of spring training, and then he broke his ring finger courtesy of a door closing on it.

However, since his return, in four starts Cook is 0-3 with a 5.48 ERA, a 1.74 WHIP, and opponents are hitting a robust .344 against him. He has said he feels fine mechanically, however all opponents are completely teeing off on him.

14. Detroit Tigers: Magglio Ordonez

I know, Magglio Ordonez has been a hero for the Detroit Tigers in the past. But baseball is funny, it’s a “what have you done for me lately” kind of sport, and lately, Ordonez has been abysmal.

Thus far in 2011, Ordonez is hitting .200 with exactly two home runs and eight runs batted in. Yes, I know, Ordonez missed significant time with an ankle injury and also missed significant time last year to various injuries as well.

However, at 37 years of age, Ordonez is clearly breaking down and has shown no ability to bounce back quickly. In 12 games since his return from the disabled list, Ordonez has hit one homer with three RBI.

15. Florida Marlins: Javier Vazquez

In 15 starts thus far in 2011, Florida Marlins right-hander Javier Vazquez, the one-year, $7 million contract, has a 4-7 record, a 6.37 ERA, a 1.69 WHIP, and opponents are hitting .310 off him.

Only two years removed from a spectacular season in Atlanta (15-10, 2.87 ERA), Vazquez has been horrible since, with a combined 14-17 record and 5.66 ERA between stops in New York and Florida.

16. Florida Marlins: Wes Helms

Wes Helms is essentially a role player for the Florida Marlins, playing third base at times, filling in as a backup for Gaby Sanchez at first and as a pinch-hitter.

However, after only hitting .220 last season and following up with a Mendoza line .200 average this year, has Father Time caught up with Helms? Even bench players should be producing a lot more than what Helms has thus far.

17. Houston Astros: Clint Barmes

Last November, the Colorado Rockies traded shortstop Clint Barmes to the Houston Astros for Felipe Paulino, and it’s safe to say the trade didn’t pan out for either team.

Paulino lasted barely a third of the season with the Rockies before being released, and Barmes has contributed a .218 average with just three home runs for the struggling Astros.

When Jim Crane takes over as owner of the Astros, he should be directing his GM, Ed Wade, to get all aging non-performers on the first train out of town, and Barmes should be one of the players on that train.

18. Houston Astros: J.A. Happ

Is it really any wonder the Philadelphia Flyers found a willing sucker…er… trade partner to unload pitcher J.A. Happ on?

Happ, 3-9 with a 5.54 ERA, isn’t fooling anyone thus far this season and has clearly not delivered as the Astros had originally hoped when they shipped Roy Oswalt to Philly.

19. Houston Astros: Jason Michaels

In 41 games thus far in 2011, utility outfielder Jason Michaels has clearly struggled, hitting just .203 with one HR and five RBI.

The Houston Astros, at 28-52, have the worst record in the majors. If you’ve got bench players who can’t even hit their own weight, why not just call up a prospect and give them a shot? The team isn’t really going to get much worse.

20. Los Angeles Angels: Jeff Mathis

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia loves the defensive abilities of catcher Jeff Mathis and his ability to work with the pitchers.

However, after being given the shot to take over catching duties full-time after the departure of Mike Napoli, Mathis continues to show that he can’t crack the Mendoza line at the plate. Mathis thus far is hitting .191, seven points BELOW his career average of .198.

Does anyone really think that’s major league worthy, even with good defensive skills?

21. Los Angeles Angels: Russell Branyan

When Los Angeles Angels general manager Tony Reagins signed first baseman/designated hitter Russell Branyan for the remainder of the season on May 26, it was clearly a low-risk, high-reward signing. Branyan was signed for the major league-minimum after being released by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

However, there was obviously a reason that the D-Backs gave Branyan his walking papers—he simply can’t hit. In 19 games with the Angels, Branyan is hitting .171 with zero home runs and just two RBI.

Even at the major league minimum much more should be expected.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers: Marcus Thames

The Los Angeles Dodgers knew they were going to have issues in left field to start the season, however the production from what has now become a slew of players at that position has been worse than expected.

Thames missed most of the month of May with a strained quadriceps and may go on the DL again after injuring his calf during the Freeway Series with the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend.

Thames has been horrible at the plate—hitting just .207 with two home runs and seven runs batted in. Even batting against mainly left-handed pitching, Thames has failed to deliver.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers: Dioner Navarro

When catcher Dioner Navarro was with the Tampa Bay Rays, he had a couple of very productive seasons in 2007 and 2008, hitting .263 over the two seasons. However, Navarro’s average dropped dramatically in 2009, hitting just .218, and last season, Navarro lost his starting job to John Jaso, and hit just .194 in a reserve role.

Now, Navarro is hitting even worse for the Dodgers, at just .168 with two home runs. A.J. Ellis has seen more playing time as a result and has responded, hitting .280.

Obviously, Tampa Bay saw something that the Dodgers didn’t.