2012 MLB Free Agency: Worst Value Available at Each Position

A number of big name MLB players will become free agents in 2012. Many of these players will have a lot of value, but there are a number of potential free agents who do not have much value.

At every position there is a player who will not be a good value. Some of these players may be very talented, but they will command massive contracts. Other players, who are the worst value at their position, will simply not produce at the level that is expected of them.

Catcher: Jason Varitek

Jason Varitek's days as a starting catcher in the MLB have wound down. At this point in his career, he is nothing more than a backup.

Varitek also has more value to the Boston Red Sox than to an other organization. If a team were to sign Varitek, he would become an expensive backup catcher and would not be much better of an option than the team could likely find in the minors.

First Base: Carlos Pena

Power is a very important thing in baseball.

In fact, Carlos Pena has made his career off of his ability to hit home runs. However, he is not able to hit for average.

Pena will get a multimillion dollar deal once again this offseason. However, whichever team signs with him will also have to deal with his very low batting average as well as his propensity to strike out.

Second Base: Carlos Guillen

When he has been able to get onto the field this season, Carlos Guillen has spent the majority of his time at second base. He has been injury-plagued over the past few seasons and has not lived up to his current contract.

Once it expires, there might not be teams lining up to sign Guillen, but he certainly will get some offers. He is nowhere near the player he used to be, and some team will end up overpaying for his services. 

Shortstop: Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is an outstanding player and one of the top free agents available on the market. With all of his talent also comes all of his injury issues.

Reyes has had a problem staying on the field all of these years, and so much of his value is tied to his legs and his speed. He will get a massive contract this offseason and whichever team signs him will be overpaying for his services.

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez

The Chicago Cubs have the choice to pick up Aramis Ramirez's $16 million option after this season. It seems like they will turn the offer down and let Ramirez become a free agent.

Ramirez is having a good season and will likely be able to sign one more major contract. He will be able to produce early on, but towards the end of his deal—a team will be overpaying for his services.

Right Field: Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran has come back from his injuries to put together a very solid season. This production will likely allow him to sign a big contract in the offseason.

However, Beltran has lost a significant amount of value due to the decline in his defense as well as the decline in his ability to steal bases.

While the first few years of a contract may be a good value, Beltran will be overpaid towards the end of his deal.

Center Field: Grady Sizemore

It looks like the Cleveland Indians will decline Grady Sizemore's option for the 2012 season, which would make him a free agent. Sizemore has struggled with injuries over the past few years.

However, Sizemore will get paid for two reasons.

He is young and he has a lot of potential. He could once again become a 20/20 or even 30/30 player and teams are certainly willing to take a risk on this. It is uncertain if Sizemore will regain this form.

Left Field: J.D. Drew

There is a team out there that will give J.D. Drew the money that he is looking for. The problem is that they will never see the value that they are expecting from Drew.

Drew will likely ask for the type of money that starting outfielders receive. At this point in his career, it is looking more and more likely that Drew can only produce at the level of a fourth or fifth outfielder.

Designated Hitter: Prince Fielder

This selection should come with an asterisk as Prince Fielder will only be a bad value if he is a DH. The fact is, you do not pay $20-plus million a year over a six- or seven-year contract for a DH.

Fielder may not be great defensively, but he can still play in the field. He is below average, but he has more value as a first baseman than as a DH.

Starting Pitcher: Yu Darvish

Yu Darvish has been rumored to be coming to America for years now. There are some indications that Darvish may be posted this winter. He will likely command a posting fee of at least $60 or $70 million.

On top of that, Darvish will likely be signed to a massive contract. Given the history of Japanese pitchers in the MLB, it is highly unlikely that he lives up to his deal.

Even if he is outstanding in the majors, he will be one of the highest-paid pitchers in the league (if you factor in the posting fee) and he more than likely won't live up to that hype.

Relief Pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon

Jonathan Papelbon is an outstanding reliever. He will be asking for Mariano Rivera money this offseason.

However, the big problem is that relief pitchers are overrated.

In terms of WAR, elite relievers provide about as much value as above average position players. This does not justify a deal that will pay Papelbon upwards of $12-15 million a year.