Felix Hernandez and the Best Active MLB Players Never to Play in the Playoffs

The Major League Baseball playoffs are an exclusive event. Each season, tremendous players from 22 underachieving teams fail to qualify for October baseball.

With 2011's "Elite Eight" now finalized, the majority of big-leaguers are dissatisfied. What's surprising, though, is the group of big names around the game who have zero playoff appearances in their careers. 

These 10 active individuals in various circumstances have never known anything other than a lengthy, lonely offseason since breaking into the big leagues. 

Vernon Wells (OF): Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The long-time Toronto Blue Jays star has never been closer to the postseason than he was in his first year with the Angels in 2011. After annually settling for third- and fourth-place finishes in the relentless American League East, Wells had his new AL West team alive in the wild-card race entering the final week of the regular season. Los Angeles never caught up, though.

The three-time Gold Glove centerfielder played fewer than 80 innings in his primary position, pushed to left by the up-and-coming Peter Bourjos.

Wells struggled at the plate throughout the season. He finished with the worst extra-base hit total, batting average, on-base percentage and strikeout rate in his 10 full campaigns.

Oh yeah, and he's due more than $20 million per year through 2014!

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
131	505	60	110	15	4	25	66	20	86	9	.218	.660

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
1524	5975	849	1639	354	34	248	879	426	848	99	.274	.792

Adam Dunn (DH/1B): Chicago White Sox

With not quite as much money at stake (but still $14 million a year), Adam Dunn's career is in an even uglier spot.

He came to Chicago this offseason after suffering through 10 productive yet noncompetitive seasons with National League teams. A brief stint with Arizona in late 2008 must have been exciting as they battled with the Dodgers for an NL West title, but other than that, nothing.

Dunn was the poster child for the White Sox's embarrassing 2011, where a very talented team finished below .500 and 16 games out of first in the AL Central!

Although I'm sure he would like to remain with this franchise, which has a desire to win, they may not be as comfortable with the idea. In fact, had the White Sox qualified for the playoffs this season, Dunn might have been left off the roster entirely. He was honestly that bad.

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
122	415	36	66	16	0	11	42	75	177	0	.159	.569

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
1570	5390	901	1312	282	10	365	922	1065	1809	59	.243	.876

Brian Roberts (2B): Baltimore Orioles

Many in the baseball world overlook Brian Roberts, who was a top-tier second baseman as recently as 2009. That's what happens when you spend your career as an Oriole (and an injured one at that).

Roberts stole 23 or more bases in seven consecutive seasons (2003-2009) and once touched 50 in 2007. His batting average has been at least .270 in every one of his healthy years.

His 2010 was shortened by an herniated disc and abdominal strain, and 2011 by a concussion.

It's unfortunate to watch his career pass by without so much as a winning season, but that's the reality of Baltimore baseball in the 21st century. Roberts is trapped there through 2014.

One thing is for certain: He'll finish his playing days with more babies via hot wife Diana Chiafair than playoff appearances.

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
39	163	18	36	7	1	3	19	12	21	6	.221	.604

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
1232	4883	775	1374	339	34	84	477	550	735	274	.281	.769

Ryan Zimmerman (3B): Washington Nationals

So, it didn't take long to get past the geezers. The Majors may have a cruel playoff format, but those who last a while usually find themselves on a contender eventually. Those three were exceptions.

Zimmerman's journey is more commonplace. He is one of several top talents secured by the once-hapless Nationals last decade. Washington has noticeably improved for the second straight season, bringing them surprisingly close to legitimacy.

Aside from perhaps an Ozzie Smith back flip, Zimmerman can do anything on a baseball field. I'd love to see how those skills translate to October.

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
101	395	52	114	21	2	12	49	41	73	3	.289	.798

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
845	3282	487	947	214	14	128	498	338	618	25	.288	.834

Michael Bourn (CF): Atlanta Braves

Bourn is another flashy player I'd love to see more of.

A midseason trade from Houston to Atlanta nearly did the trick, but the Braves collapsed in September, so the celebration is on hold for at least another season.

Bourn is possibly the quickest active MLB player, playoff-tested or otherwise. He has won two of the last three NL stolen base titles and a pair of Gold Gloves (and a third pending next month's voting).

If Bourn improves his game over the winter—mainly by cutting down on strikeouts—Atlanta can expect to participate in the 2012 postseason.

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
158	656	94	193	34	10	2	50	53	140	61	.294	.734

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
716	2391	363	649	99	35	13	158	226	524	234	.271	.694

Hanley Ramirez (SS): Florida Marlins

Hanley has all the talent in the world.

Entering 2011, he starred at shortstop on five Marlins teams that ranged from mediocre (71 wins) to above-average (87 wins).

His defense steadily improved each year and he has developed an Albert Pujols-like body. While not quite capable of league-leading power, Ramirez is intimidating and accomplished at the plate (2009 NL batting title winner). He runs well, too—50-plus steals in 2006 and 2007, with at least 20 in each of the last six seasons.

The Marlins' front office must open up its checkbook to get Ramirez some help. They've been under-spending on payroll since '98.

At the same time, straightening out Hanley will be a top priority. Sure, shoulder surgery officially ended his season, but even when healthy, he appeared to be "mailing it in" night after night. His nonchalance has been well documented.

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
92	338	385	55	82	16	0	10	45	44	66	20	.243	.712

Career Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
852	3320	3757	617	1016	214	24	134	434	369	607	216	.306	.886

Josh Johnson (RHP): Florida Marlins

J.J. is arguably more important to the Marlins' success than Ramirez, which is a testament to how dominant he can be. He was the early favorite for the NL Cy Young award in 2011 before succumbing to elbow inflammation in May.

Tim Lincecum is the only active starting pitcher with at least 100 games of experience and a lower ERA (and it's essentially a tie). Johnson's winning percentage is similarly remarkable.

Sadly, he just can't seem to stay healthy. However, if ever that changes, a playoff appearance would become a whole lot more realistic for the Fish.

2011 Season Stats

W	L	ERA	G	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
3	1	1.64	9	0	60.1	39	11	2	20	56	.185	0.98

Career Stats

W	L	ERA	G	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
48	23	2.98	123	4	725.1	642	240	45	243	667	.239	1.22

Jose Bautista (RF): Toronto Blue Jays

Jose Bautista and "best" were probably never in the same sentence before the Dominican was traded from Pittsburgh to Toronto in mid-2008. His career has since hopped on the fast track towards super-stardom.

His homer-happy, 30-game stretch to end 2009 didn't generate much buzz. Even Blue Jays' fans didn't imagine he would be an All-Star!

Bautista has shocked everybody and led the Majors in home runs each of the last two seasons. Accordingly, opposing pitchers proceed carefully and opt to walk him whenever possible (his 2011 total of 132 was the most since Barry Bonds).

In the brutal, aforementioned AL East, Toronto needs to find another couple Bautistas—gifted, affordable, young players—to compete. Brett Lawrie and Eric Thames both had strong rookie years, so . . .

2011 Season Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
149	513	105	155	24	2	43	104	132	111	9	.302	.1056

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OPS
885	2836	455	721	149	13	156	438	452	661	32	.254	.843

Stephen Strasburg (RHP): Washington Nationals

Strasburg is merely 23 years old and has accumulated barely a half-season's worth of big league starts, yet I do not consider it premature to place him among these awesome players.

He demonstrated the same extraordinary velocity and control in five post-surgery performances as he did during his superb rookie season. Frankly, I don't believe there is any MLB player more talented.

Strasburg is raising the Nationals franchise from obscurity along with Zimmerman, Tyler Clippard, Michael Morse, Drew Storen, Jayson Werth and first-year players Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa (mentioned in my NL ROY candidates article).

This fantastic young core is reminiscent of the Yankees' home-grown group of the late 1990s, or the Rays' roster of the last four seasons.

Point is, Washington seems poised to progress throughout the 2010s. Playoff appearances are inevitable.

2011 Season Stats

W	L	ERA	G	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
1	1	1.50	5	0	24.0	15	4	0	2	24	.179	0.71

Career Stats

W	L	ERA	G	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
6	4	2.54	17	0	92.0	71	26	5	19	116	.211	0.98

Felix Hernandez (RHP): Seattle Mariners

King Felix can't be happy with his situation.

He understandably signed a 5-year/$78 million contract extension following 2009, his first truly tremendous campaign.

Why? Well, it was a lot of years, a lot money, and the team was looking good. At 85-77, the Mariners overachieved, and by retaining the gritty players who helped them exceed expectations and adding valuable veterans like Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins, they seemed dead-set on making the playoffs in 2010.

Obviously, the plan didn't materialize. Seattle became the laughing stock of the American League and played nearly as poorly in 2011. No franchise has lost more games these last two years.

On another note, Hernandez continues to excel. He fearlessly matches up with anyone despite the absence of a powerful offense to provide support.

Miraculously, Hernandez has been starting regularly since 2005 when he was 19! Do the math and you realize that he is still in his mid-20s, the prime of his career.

Luckily, he has many more seasons remaining than have already come and gone. Every player of his caliber is owed an opportunity to appear in October, and I'm sure that Hernandez will get his chance.

2011 Season Stats

W	L	ERA	G	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
14	14	3.47	33	5	233.2	218	90	19	67	222	.248	1.22

Career Stats

W	L	ERA	G	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
85	67	3.24	205	18	1388.1	1275	500	116	424	1264	.244	1.22