MLB 2011: The 50 Most Overpaid Hitters in 2011

In today's world of mega contracts, it is hard to believe that in 1990, Jose Canseco signed the league's biggest contract to date, which would pay him an average of $4,700,000/year.  Just 21 years later, the average salary for all MLB players is now $3,305,393/year.

As payrolls continue to grow, the fans are forced to pony up the extra cash to help afford these high dollar contracts.

When it comes to offensive players, teams are risking cash in return for offensive production. I wanted to find a simple way to calculate the offensive return on investment for the hitters in 2011. If you want to figure out how I came to my conclusion, keep reading this slide. If you just want to enjoy the list, please start the slideshow.

The thought process behind my rankings:

The players that yield their team the best return on investment would provide the most offense production for the least amount of cost. Now that the 2011 regular season is over, we can look back at the offensive production of each player and compare it to their salary.

I looked at every teams roster entering 2011. I lumped all position (and DH) players into two categories. The players who are meant to drive in the runs, and the players who are meant to score the runs (think Jose Reyes vs. Prince Fielder).

Both categories are required to get hits. One category is required to tally RBI's, while the other runs (H+RBI) or (H+R).

The two formulas I used were: Salary/(H+RBI) or Salary/(H+R)

Let me give you an example:

Dustin Pedroia: $5,750,000/ (195 Hits + 102 Runs) = $19,360/for each offensive production (Hit or a Run).

Compare that to Marco Scutaro: $5,500,000/(118 Hits + 59 Runs) = $31,073/for each offensive production (Hit or a Run).

Using this formula, even though Scutaro makes $250,000 less than Pedroia, you see that the better return on investment for the 2011 season was Dustin Pedroia. In this instance, Marco Scutaro was overpaid when compared to Pedroia.

50. Ryan Zimmerman

2011 Salary: $9,000,000

2011 Stats: .289 AVG 12 HR 49 RBI 52 R in 101 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $55,214 / each Hit or RBI

The 26-year-old 3B missed a large chunk of the season due to injury. Subsequently, his opportunity to produce for his team was decreased. Ryan Zimmerman is due to earn $12 million in 2012. Zimmerman will need to stay healthy and greatly increase productivity to make the investment by the Washington Nationals worth it.

49. Adrian Beltre

2011 Salary: $14,000,000

2011 Stats: .296 AVG 32 HR 105 RBI 82 R in 124 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $56,224 for each Hit or RBI

Adrian Beltre had a very strong 2011 season with the Texas Rangers. Any time a player can produce a season of 30+ HR with 100+ RBIs, it can be deemed a success.

The Texas Rangers paid Josh Hamilton $36,610 for each hit and each RBI he accumulated in the 2011 season. Hamilton was able to put up a respectible .298 AVG 25 HR 94 RBI and 80 R in 121 games. For what the two men did, Adrian Beltre was overpaid when you compare him to Josh Hamilton.

48. Jayson Werth

2011 Salary: $10,571,429

2011 Stats: .232 AVG 20 HR 58 RBI 69 R in 150 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $56,231 for each hit and each RBI

With the first year of his big new contract behind him, the Washington Nationals must be regretting their decision. Werth was able to play 150 games, so the injury excuse can't apply to him. Jayson Werth was able to ink a $100-plus million dollar deal without registering a single season of 100+ RBI. He is already 32 years old, and the window on his career is closing.

I think this will be a free agent acquisition the Washington Nationals regret for a long time.

47. Raul Ibanez

2011 Salary: $12,166,667

2011 Stats: .245 AVG 20 HR 84 RBI 65 R in 144 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $56,589 for each Hit and each RBI

The good news for Phillies fans is that the contract for Raul Ibanez has come to an end with the completion of their 2011 season. That $12 million can be better used elsewhere in 2012. One player the Phillies may target in 2012 is Jose Reyes now that Jimmy Rollins will be hitting free agency). 

I can see Raul Ibanez resigning with the Philadelphia Phillies for one year at $6-7 million in 2012.

With how his salary breaks down in 2011, if Ibanez hit a three run home run, he could buy a very nice house (especially in this housing market). I think I may have pursued the wrong profession.

46. Derek Jeter

2011 Salary: $14,729,365

2011 Stats: .297 AVG 6 HR 61 RBI 84 R in 131 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $59,875 for each hit and each run scored.

I am not a Jeter hater by any means. What he means to the New York Yankees organization and its fans is beyond reproach. He is a first ballot, guaranteed Hall of Famer.

That being said, when you are getting paid $6.4 million more than Curtis Granderson, the numbers need to improve.

Already 37, the physically demanding position of shortstop will not be any easier for the aging Yankee captain. One of the greatest shortstops of all time, Cal Ripken, had to move to third base at the age of 36. Unfortunately for Jeter and the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez is going to be occupying third base until 2017.

45. Miguel Tejada

2011 Salary: $6,500,000

2011 Stats: .239 AVG 4 HR 26 RBI 28 R in 91 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $63,106 for each hit and each RBI.

Oh, how the Giants' fans wished that Miguel Tejada would have "accidently" fallen on his old steroid needle as he entered the 2011 season.

His plummet from the 34 HR 150 RBI 2004 season, when he was a blossoming 30-year-old superstar, shows the natural progression on how an aging athlete's career should progress. 

Now 37, Tejada's numbers pale in comparison to a previous SF Giant when they were 37. Barry Bonds was able to hit 46 HR, bat .370 and lift cars over his head without straining. 

Good news for San Francisco Giants fans. Jose Reyes in on the free market, and you now have an extra $6.5 million to put towards his contract.

44. Juan Uribe

2011 Salary: $5,295,911

2011 Stats: .204 AVG 4 HR 28 RBI and 21 R in 77 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $63,806 for each hit and each RBI

Juan Uribe's lack of offensive production probably got under the skin of Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt. I am sure he could have used that $5 million-plus to pay his concession stand crew. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Juan Uribe have just finished the first year of a three-year, $21 million contract.

43. Kevin Youkilis

2011 Salary: $12,250,000

2011 Stats: .258 AVG 17 HR 80 RBI and 68 R in 120 games.

2011 Stats Breakdown: $64,136 for each hit and each RBI.

In 2011, the Greek God of Walks put up similar offensive numbers to his 2010 season. Kevin Youkilis made $2.87 million more in 2011 than in 2010. 

Adrian Gonzalez's 2011 salary was $6,300,000. Using the same statistical breakdown of Gonzalez's salary, the Red Sox paid Gonzalez $19,090 for each hit and each RBI in 2011. The Boston Red Sox had to pay Kevin Youkilis $45,046 more for each hit and RBI than they had to for Adrian Gonzalez.

42. Miguel Cabrera

2011 Salary: $20,000,000

2011 Stats: .344 AVG 30 HR 105 RBI and 111 R in 161 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $66,225 for each hit and each RBI.

The man child known as Miguel Cabrera is by no means overrated. He is a legitimate hitting freak of nature. The only reason he is the 42nd highest "overpaid" hitter in 2011 is because his contract is so huge.

Still two years away from 30, the Detroit Tigers have locked up their offensive franchise player until 2015. They will be over paying for his production, but it is a price the organization and the fans will gladly pay.

Compare the season totals of Adrian Beltre and Miguel Cabrera. The Detroit Tigers are paying Cabrera $10,001 more for each hit and RBI than the Texas Rangers paid Beltre this year.

41. Victor Martinez

2011 Salary: 12,000,000

2011 Stats: .330 AVG 12 HR 103 RBI and 76 R in 145 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $66,298 for each hit and each RBI.

The smooth hitting switch hitter put up great numbers in 2011. The completion of the 2011 season capped off the first year of his four-year/$50 million contract. Victor Martinez is guaranteed a $13 million salary in 2012 at the age of 33. It will be harder for him to keep his offensive numbers high as he gets older.

Already a slight over pay on the part of the Tigers, his contract may evolve into a fiscal ball and chain for the organization if injury or age catch up to Martinez.

40. Alex Rios

2011 Salary: $12,500,000

2011 Stats: .227 AVG 13 HR 44 RBI and 64 R in 145 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $67,204 for each hit and each run scored.

Just another one of the many players the Chicago White Sox missed on. The offensive production provided by Alex Rios come at too high of a cost to the team. The White Sox are stuck with him until then end of the 2014 season.

They are going to have to set aside another $37 million over the next three seasons to pay him. Yikes!

39. Ichiro

2011 Salary: $18,000,000

2011 Stats: .272 AVG 5 HR 47 RBI and 80 R in 161 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $68,181 for each hit and each run scored.

The 37-year-old Japanese transplant failed to reach 200 hits for the first time since coming to the USA. There is no reason to believe he will improve upon his numbers next year. 

Ichiro will go down as one of the most unique and skilled hitters the game has had the pleasure to enjoy. For the Seattle Mariners fans, consider the $17 million owed to Ichiro in 2012 as a going away present.

38. Casey Blake

2011 Salary: $5,500,000

2011 Stats: .252 AVG 4 HR 26 RBI and 32 R in 63 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $71,428 for each hit and each RBI.

Casey Blake, the 37-year-old veteran, will be looking for a new team to pay his bills in 2012. The Los Angeles Dodgers have already cut ties with the disappointing corner infielder.

37. Chipper Jones

2011 Salary: $14,000,000

2011 Stats: .275 AVG 18 HR 70 RBI and 56 R in 126 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $71,794 for each hit and each RBI.

The second best hitter in Braves' history behind Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones is fighting against the dying of the light. He has reaffirmed his return for 2012 and stands to collect $13 million.

Chipper Jones will be 40 years old at the start of the 2012 season. Hank Aaron, who had a remarkable stretch of 19 straight years of consistent production, experienced a sharp decline the season he turned 40.

Hank Aaron's stats in the 1973 season (39 years old): .301 AVG 40 HR 96 RBI and 84 R in 120 games.

Hank Aaron's stats in the 1974 season (40 years old): .268 AVG 20 HR 69 RBI and 47 R in 112 games.

36. Brandon Inge

2011 Salary: $5,500,000

2011 Stats: .197 AVG 3 HR 23 RBI and 29 R in 102 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $72,368 for each hit and each RBI.

Any time your starting third baseman starts only a 102 games and hits below .200, he is going to end up on a list like this. The Detroit Tigers will be paying him another $5.5M in 2012.

Brandon Inge's number were not just bad because of the 60 games that he missed. Here are his numbers calculate out to if he played the full 162 as the starting 3B:

.197 AVG 5 HR 37 RBI and 46 R in 162 games.

35. Nate McLouth

2011 Salary: $7,000,000

2011 Stats: .228 AVG 4 HR 16 RBI and 35 R in 81 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $72,916 for each hit and each run scored.

Nate McLouth was supposed to be the Atlanta Braves' answer for their CF position. Acquiring McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle of 2009, McLouth underwhelmed from the start.

An aggressive Braves front office reached a little too far on the young CF, and their offense suffered for it for years.

McLouth's $10 million team option will be denied, and it will net him a $1.25 million with his buyout. The Atlanta Braves now have Michael Bourne patrolling CF at Turner Field.

McLouth's three seasons in Atlanta: .229 AVG 21 HR 76 RBI and 124 R in 250 games. The last two seasons, the Braves have paid Nate $11.5 million

34. Carlos Lee

2011 Salary: $19,000,000

2011 Stats: .275 AVG 18 HR 94 RBI and 66 R in 155 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $74,509 for each hit and each RBI.

In 2007, Carlos Lee hit .303 with 32 HR, 119 RBI, had 93 runs and made  $11.5 million for the Astros. 

In 2011, Lee had a batting average 28 points lower, with 14 fewer HR, 25 fewer RBI, scored 27 fewer runs and cost the Houston Astros $7.5 million more than he was paid in '07.

The massive contract of this massive man expires at the end of 2012, but the basement dwelling Astros will have to shell out another $19 million first.

33. Carl Crawford

2011 Salary: $14,847,143

2011 Stats: .255 AVG 11 HR 56 RBI and 65 R in 130 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $76,583 for each hit and each run scored.

The Boston Red Sox have committed $142 million over seven years to a player right on the cusp of turning 30. The 2011 season was the best chance for Boston to get the highest return for their investment.

In 2012, his salary jumps to $19.5 million. The chances of Carl Crawford producing at a high enough level to warrant a $19.5 million. pay day is slim to none. 

Even if Crawford can replicate his best season (2008: .307 AVG / 19 HR / 90 RBI / 110 R), at 19.5 million, the Red Sox will have to pay $66,326 for each hit and each run scored.

32. Ryan Howard

2011 Salary: $20,000,000

2011 Stats: .253 AVG 33 HR 116 RBI and 81 R in 152 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $77,821 for each hit and each RBI.

Not quite sure what the people in the front office of the Philadelphia Phillies were thinking when they decided to commit $125 million to an aging, hefty, downward trending first baseman.

If they had waited to extend Howard's contract, imagine how smart they would look now, as his Achilles injury has the potential to keep him out part of, if not all of, the 2012 season.

In my opinion, $20 million a year contracts are meant for iconic game defining players. Players like Albert Pujols in his prime, Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander or the 2011 version of Matt Kemp. 

31. Matt Holliday

2011 Salary: $16,317,774

2011 Stats: .296 AVG 22 HR 75 RBI and 83 R in 124 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown:  $78,829 for each hit and RBI.

Matt Holliday was the highest paid player on the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. If the Cardinals are unable to resign Albert Pujols, they will have to lean heavily on Holliday and Lance Berkman for their offensive production in 2012.

The $78 thousand-plus that Holliday was paid for each offensive contribution was $47 thousand more for each hit and RBI produced by Lance Berkman and his $8 million salary.

30. Torii Hunter

2011 Salary: $18,500,000

2011 Stats: .262 AVG 23 HR 82 RBI and 80 R in 156 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $79,059 for each hit and each RBI.

Torii Hunter is the second highest paid player on the Angels ball club. His agent was able to get him in a contract that pays him $18 million-plus a year even though he has never batted .300+, never played a full 162 games, never had a season with an OPS higher than .873, never scored 100 runs and only had two seasons of 100 RBI or more.

2012 will be another season which the Angels will have to pay Hunter $18 million-plus. Their organization is willing to spend the money to be competitive; unfortunately, it seems they are spending the money on the wrong players.

29. Carlos Beltran

2011 Salary: $19,325,436

2011 Stats: .300 AVG 22 HR 84 RBI and 78 R in 142 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $80,522 for each hit and each RBI.

Showing tiny flashes of what made him the must have player entering the 2005 season, Carlos Beltran's contract crippled the Mets in 2011. It's not bad enough that Bernie Madoff robbed them blind; Scott Boras and Beltran ran off with a hunk of money as well.  

If Beltran could have produced the way he did in San Francisco for a full 162, he would have ended up with a .323 AVG / 26 HR / 66 RBI / 63 R

28. Grady Sizemore

2011 Salary: $7,666,667

2011 Stats: .224 AVG 10 HR 32 RBI and 34 R in 71 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $81,560 for each hit and each run scored.

Talk about a waste of potential. Grady Sizemore burst onto the scene in 2005, at only 22 years old. He put up 22 HR and 22 SB with 81 RBI and 111 R in his first full season.

With constant trips to the DL, Sizemore has squandered the prime years of his playing career. Subsequently, he has also lost any chances of landing a mega deal that would have been thrown his way.

I don't see the Indians purchasing his $8.5 million option. The team has been burned too many times. The Indians may re-sign him at a discounted rate, but I am sure some other team will be willing to pony up the cash in the $8 million region to gain his services.

It is very possible he can return to form and produce at a high level the next three years, but his track record says otherwise. 

27. Scott Rolen

2011 Salary: $8,166,667

2011 Stats: .242 AVG 5 HR 36 RBI and 31 R in 65 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $84,192 for each hit and each RBI.

Scott Rolen made the 2011 All-Star team with a .241 AVG, 5 HR and 36 RBI...somehow. He was only able to play three games after the ASG before he was done for the season.

An absolute stud with his glove, Rolen will be holding down the hot corner for the Cincinnati Reds again in 2012 for $6.5M in the last year of his contract.

26. Magglio Ordonez

2011 Salary: $10,000,000

2011 Stats: .255 AVG 5 HR 32 RBI and 33 R in 92 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $86,206 for each hit and each RBI.

The $10 million, one-year experiment is over. Maggs took a $7.8 million pay cut when he returned to the Tigers in '11. The way he has been producing over the last two seasons, his 2011 salary would need to take another $7.8 million cut before the Tigers would get any kind of decent return on investment.

With how bad the Detroit Tigers over paid Magglio Ordonez in 2011, it pales in comparison to the $113,541 they had to pay him in 2010 for each hit and RBI.

25. Hanley Ramirez

2011 Salary: $11,000,000

2011 Stats: .243 AVG 10 HR 45 RBI and 55 R in 92 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $86,614 for each hit and each run scored.

Hanley Ramirez has all the talent in the world and is still in the prime of his career. After a "down" year in 2010, the entire 2011 season was a nightmare.

The Florida Marlins are getting ready to enter into the meaty years of his contract. He is owed $15 million/$15.5 million/$16 million over the next three years. The team that is known for never paying its players is holding its breath that Hanley can return to form.

25. Travis Hafner

2011 Salary: $13,000,000

2011 Stats: .280 AVG 13 HR 57 RBI and 41 R in 94 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $87,837 for each hit and each RBI.

I'm not sure there is a better example for what this list represents. I understand that the game isn't all about offense. Most players can effectively add runs to their team by playing stellar defense and keeping another team from scoring.

The Cleveland Indians told Travis Hafner to just forget about all that difficult fielding stuff and just focus on destroying the baseball. Since 2008, he has ONLY been the designated hitter.

Since they took the responsibilities of being a contributor on defense away from him, he has never missed more games.

Travis Hafner's $13 million salary made up  26.4 percent of the Cleveland Indians' $49.2 million opening day salary.

23. Mark Teixeira

2011 Salary: $23,125,000

2011 Stats: .248 AVG 39 HR 111 RBI and 90 R in 156 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $89,980 for each hit and each RBI.

Mark Teixeira's '11 salary is approximately 21.8 percent of the Detroit Tigers' opening day salary.

If you combined the salaries of Brett Gardner (529.5 thousand), Curtis Granderson (8.25 million), Robinson Cano (10 million), Eduardo Nunez (419.3 thousand) and Ivan Nova (432.9 thousand), you still have $3,493,300 before you reach Teixeira's salary.

You would also have a stat line that looked like: .274 AVG 81 HR 303 RBI 365 Runs 104 SB and a 16-4 record with a 3.70 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Now if just one player could do all that, yes, I'd definitely pay him Teixeira's salary...plus some.

22. Alfonso Soriano

2011 Salary: $19,000,000

2011 Stats: .244 AVG 26 HR 88 RBI and 50 R in 137 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $93,137 for each hit and each RBI.

When it comes to Alfonso Soriano, the Chicago Cubs and their fans aren't holding their breath any longer. They know what to expect from him these days.

The fear he used to create in the minds of opposing pitchers, both at the plate and on the bases, is gone.

The Cubs will be paying Soriano $18 million for each of the next three seasons (all of which will probably yield less and less productivity as they pass).

21. Luke Scott

2011 Salary: $6,400,000

2011 Stats: .220 AVG 9 HR 22 RBI and 24 R in 64 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $94,117 for each hit and each RBI.

Another MLB player out of the DeLand Florida area (Chipper Jones was born there), Luke Scott put up solid numbers in 2010. His efforts last year netted him a $6.4 million contract in the '11 season. It seems that the Orioles can't catch a break.

They fork over a modest sized contract, and in return, they get limited playing time and poor performance. Good news is that the Baltimore Orioles are off the hook now that the season is over.

20. David Wright

2011 Salary: $14,250,000

2011 Stats: .254 AVG 14 HR 61 RBI and 60 R in 102 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $95,000 for each hit and each RBI.

Citi Field is like a black hole for offensive players. Once considered the poster boy for all things Mets, the fans are willing to run Wright out of town to keep Jose Reyes.

Regardless of their ability to re-sign Reyes or not, the Mets need money. Wright is owed $15 million in 2012, and has a team option of $16 million in 2013.

The Mets need David Wright to start putting up huge numbers in 2012, or they will need to move him to free up some cash for players who will provide a better return on their investment. 

19. Mike Cameron

2011 Salary: $7,750,000

2011 Stats: .203 AVG 9 HR 27 RBI and 27 R in 78 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $103,333 for each hit and each RBI.

Still with 19 players to go, we have our first player that fetched six digits every time they contributed on offense.

According to a CNN.com article, optometrists make an average of $108,000 a year. That is just $4,667 more than Cameron got for each one of his hits or RBIs.

Shipped to the Marlins by the Red Sox, Cameron performed better for the fish. Even though he performed better in the warmth of the Miami sun, Cameron was still released by the team on Sept. 13.

18. Todd Helton

2011 Salary: $20,275,000

2011 Stats: .302 AVG 14 HR 69 RBI and 59 R in 124 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $103,443 for each hit and each RBI

Helton put up a respectable batting average in 2011, but he lacked pop. He only slugged .466, the third lowest total in his 15-year career.

Helton is signed through the 2013 season, but he has deferred $13.1 million of his remaining salary to be paid to him from 2014-2023 with interest. This move helps free up much needed cash for the Colorado Rockies.

Todd Helton's 4.9 million salary in 2012 will be much more in line with his offensive output capabilities.

17. Chase Utley

2011 Salary: $15,285,714

2011 Stats: .259 AVG 11 HR 44 RBI and 54 R in 103 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $103,984 for each hit and each RBI.

Arguabley the best offensive second baseman from 2005-2009, Chase Utley's offensive numbers have plummeted. Injury and inconsistency has helped contribute to his anemic offensive production.

Utley shows flashes of his younger self from time to time. If you look at this year's playoffs, he hit .438 and scored five runs. The issue for Utley isn't if he can do it; it is for how long.

The Philadelphia Phillies owe Chase Utley another $15 million in 2012 and 2013.

16. Jorge Posada

2011 Salary: $13,100,000

2011 Stats: .235 AVG 14 HR 44 RBI and 34 R in 115 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $104,800 for each hit and each RBI.

The Old Yankee fan favorite will be 40 in 2012. His throwing arm is dead, and his offense is lacking. I've seen where he said he wanted to return for one more year. The question is, will they take him? His early season pouting for being sat down did nothing positive for the team.

It seems silly to me for the New York Yankees field a $200 million-plus payroll, but still keep an offensive liability on their roster. I think it is time for the Yankees to close the door on Posada, whether Jorge wants them to or not.

15. Rafael Furcal

2011 Salary: $13,000,000

2011 Stats: .231 AVG 8 HR 28 RBI and 44 R in 87 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $107,438 for each hit and each run scored.

The feisty 5' 8" shortstop was able to provide a much higher return on investment for the Cardinals than the Dodgers in 2011. Even though he showed an offensive improvement in his new uniform, he was still grossly overpaid for his statistical performance.

Rafael Furcal made more than twice as much as Troy Tulowitzki in 2011.

A free agent in 2012, Furcal may land back with the Cardinals or the Braves at a much more reduced price tag. If the St. Louis Cardinals aren't able to re-sign Albert Pujols, it is possible they make a run at Jose Reyes.

14. Jason Bay

2011 Salary: 18,125,000

2011 Stats: .245 AVG 12 HR 57 RBI and 59 R in 123 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $109,186 for each hit and each RBI.

The New York Mets actually acquired Jason Bay in a trade back in 2002 from the Montreal Expos. They shipped him to the Padres a few months later, and he eventually wound up with the Pirates in 2003 in the Brian Giles deal.

Jason Bay's performance since re-becoming a Metropolitan is probably reminding the Mets why they were okay with trading him off in the first place.

 Mets' GM Sandy Alderson has openly suggested that the walls in Citi Field will be drawn in and/or lowered in an effort to make it a hitter friendly park. For Jason Bay to catch up on the money already thrown his way, the Mets' would need to pull the left field fence right behind the 3B bag when Jason Bay is up.

Alderson says that 1.9 percent of all balls put in play were home runs at Citi Field, while their crosstown rivals sported a robust 3.6 percent.

13. Adam Dunn

2011 Salary: $12,000,000

2011 Stats: .159 AVG 11 HR 42 RBI and 36 R in 122 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $111,111 for each hit and each RBI.

His 2011 season was so terrible, he openly contemplated retirement. With $44 million still on the table over the next three years, the White Sox are going to be hoping and praying Dunn does walk away from the game if his offense doesn't return to the levels in 2010.

If Dunn does walk away, it is like a get out of jail free card to the White Sox. The $44 million could be freed up to try and real in another free agent (with hopes that they don't repeat what Adam Dunn has done).

First-year manager Robin Ventura will be put into a tough position if Dunn returns in 2012. How much of a leash does the brand new manager give the hulking power hitter before he benches him?

No matter how it plays out in 2012, it will be interesting to watch it all go down.

12. Chone Figgins

2011 Salary: $9,500,000

2011 Stats: .188 AVG 1 HR 15 RBI and 24 R in 81 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $121,794 for each hit and each run scored.

The once electric super utility player has lost his charge. His 2011 OBP was at a paltry .241.The Seattle Mariners have hitched their wagon to Chone Figgins through the 2013 season. $17 million is guaranteed over these next two seasons.

There is nothing to indicate that he is going to bounce back to his 2007 numbers.

The $13 million vesting option for Figgins and the Mariners in 2014 automatically kicks in if Chone reaches 600 plate appearances in 2013.

11. Aaron Rowand

2011 Salary: $13,600,000

2011 Stats: .233 AVG 4 HR 21 RBI and 34 R in 108 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $138,775 for each hit and each RBI.

Aaron Rowand was able to convert his 2007 All-Star season with the Phillies into a sizable five-year contract with the San Francisco Giants.

Since joining the San Francisco Giants in 2008, Rowand's RBI totals have been lower than the year previous.  

19 RBI fewer in '08 than in '07

Six RBI fewer in '09 than in '08

30 RBI fewer in '10 than in '09

13 RBI fewer in '11 than in '10

That is an average production loss of 17 RBI each season. If that trend continues into 2012, Rowand would just net four RBI for the year.

To help put things in perspective, Aaron Rowand makes just $400,000 less than Tim Lincecum.

10. Chris Snyder

2011 Salary: $6,250,000

2011 Stats: .271 AVG 3 HR 17 RBI 13 R in 30 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $145,348 for each hit and each RBI.

The Pittsburgh Pirates got limited production from Snyder in both the '10 and '11 seasons. The Pirates also had catcher Ryan Doumit on their books for another $5.2 million in '11.

The Pirates are probably going to pass on the $6.75 million option for Snyder in 2012. The good news for the Pirates, the Arizona Diamondbacks paid $3 million of Chris Snyder's salary in 2011.

9. Vernon Wells

2011 Salary: $26,187,000. Go ahead and re-read that number a few more times.

2011 Stats: .218 AVG 25 HR 66 RBI and 60 R in 131 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $148,792 for each hit and each RBI.

So what does having the second highest paid player in baseball on your team net you? According to Yahoo! fantasy baseball player rankings, $26,187,000 will get you the 263rd best overall player in 2011.

Vernon Wells earned six times more than Ryan Braun's $4.29M salary.

The Angels get to pay Vernon Wells $21 million for not just 2012, but 2013 and 2014.

That Torii Hunter deal almost looks like a steal compared to this investment of the team's spending capital.

8. Justin Morneau

2011 Salary: $15,000,000

2011 Stats: .227 AVG 4 HR 30 RBI and 19 R in 69 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $166,666 for each hit and RBI.

Morneau is a great hitter that is only being held back by the never ending list of setbacks that keep him off the field.

In 2010, he played exactly half of a full season, and if he could have played a full 162 at that level, he could have put up MVP like numbers. (.345 AVG 36 HR 112 RBI 106 R 206 H and a 1.055 OPS).

Minnesota is looking to make another splash in the free agency market in 2012 (rumored to be starting pitcher C.J. Lewis). They will need a full and healthy team to contend in 2012, or it would end up being a waste of time and money...again.

7. Adam LaRoche

2011 Salary: $7,000,000

2011 Stats: .172 AVG 3 HR 15 RBI and 15 R in 43 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $170,731 for each hit and each RBI.

The emergence of Michael Morse did not help get LaRoche back in the lineup. LaRoche is owed another $8 million in 2012.

Just 31 years old, he could have a couple decent years left in the tank if he can get healthy and earn his way back on the field. If he could replicate his numbers from 2010 in Arizona, the Nationals would be happy. (.261 AVG 25 HR 100 RBI 75 R)

6. JD Drew

2011 Salary: $14,000,000

2011 Stats: .222 AVG 4 HR 22 RBI and 23 R in 81 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $181,818 for each hit and RBI.

The only player that could be more of a disappointment for the 2011 Red Sox is John Lackey. Ever since Drew joined the Red Sox, he never produced more than 68 RBI or more than 24 HR.

The Red Sox Nation has ponied up $70 million for JD Drew's services over the last five years. The good news for them, that bad investment is now behind them.

5. Brian Roberts

2011 Salary: $10,000,000

2011 Stats: .221 AVG 3 HR 19 RBI and 18 R in 39 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $185,185 for each hit and each run scored.

He hit himself in the head in 2010 and gave himself a concussion. In 2011, he got another concussion sliding into first base to beat out a throw. Throw in a a herniated disk last year, and you have a guy that has made $20 million dollars in two years for 98 games worth of work.

A great clubhouse and team guy, Roberts and the Orioles are hoping for a full return in 2012.

4. Alex Rodriguez

2011 Salary: $32,000,000

2011 Stats: .276 AVG 16 HR 62 RBI and 67 R in 99 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $193,939 for each hit and each RBI.

It's hard to imagine that the biggest salary ever, combined with A-Rod's worst offensive performance since he was 19 years old that he is not the most overpaid player in the 2011 season.

Struggling through injury, Rodriguez was limited to under 100 games. His OPS has decline four consecutive seasons by an average of 61 points.

The New York Yankees get a reprieve in 2012, as A-Rod is only scheduled to make $29M. They will be paying him $28 million in '13, $25 million in '14, $21 million in '15 and $20 million in '16 and '17.

The Yankees are obligated to pay $173 million to a declining mega star that has quit using the "boom boom juice."

If anyone can absorb that kind of financial hit, it's the New York Yankees.

3. Joe Mauer

2011 Salary: $23,000,000

2011 Stats: .287 AVG 3 HR 30 RBI and 38 R in 82 games.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $200,000 for each hit and each RBI.

I'm sure the Minnesota Twins are not excited about the ominous start of their eight-year, $184 million contract with the Twin Cities' poster boy. One season of $23 million a year down, only seven more to go.

Injured and inconsistent in 2011, Mauer was trotted out to first base for 18 games. He logged another 14 games as DH and actually started one game in right field for the Twins.

 The Minnesota Twins' franchise player should bounce back in a big way in 2012. Look for his starts behind the plate to decline rapidly, as the Twins try to prolong the offensive productiveness of their $184 million investment. 

2. Carlos Guillen

2011 Salary: $12,927,232

2011 Stats: .232 AVG 3 HR 13 RBI and 8 R in 28 games; just 22 hits for the whole year.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $369,349 for each hit and each RBI.

An abysmal 2011 season marked the end of an expensive and unproductive contract. I don't expect to see any team put up anywhere near that level of cash for his services in 2012 and beyond.

1. Milton Bradley

2011 Salary: $13,000,000

2011 Stats: .218 AVG 13 RBI and 12 R in 28 games - just 22 hits for the whole year.

2011 Salary Breakdown: $371,428 for each hit and each RBI.

What a bittersweet irony that we find the infamous Milton Bradley at the top of this list.When you research Bradley, the majority of information about him almost entirely revolves around his outbursts and tirades.

He was released by the Seattle Mariners on May 16, 2011. The team would rather eat the remaining chunk of his contract than put up with his distractions in the clubhouse.

"Allegedly," Bradley was arrested in September for swinging a bat at his wife in a dispute. She was unharmed when the police arrived. She may have been imitating a low and away slider way outside of the strike zone. Milton's been swinging at that forever, and still hasn't hit one.