Most Overrated Players in Baseball

As a diehard baseball fan, I like to think I know enough about the game to make constructed opinions on the game and its many facets.

Taking on a list of the most overrated baseball players, though, is unquestionably a losing proposition.

The term ‘overrated’ is so subjective that it can be taken in entirely different ways and while one person may consider overpaid to be the same as overrated, others may disagree.

For purposes of this slideshow I’ve enlisted feedback from of a group of baseball bloggers to create a list of the 10 most overrated players in the game today.

In comparing these selections I’ve bumped them up against a 2011 Sports Illustrated article on the most overrated players in baseball as voted by 185 current major leaguers.

If nothing else, I hope this list can provide a glimpse (albeit in a small sample size) of how players’ views of their peers may or may not align with the view of those outside the clubhouse.

Feel free to chime in (as I’m sure you will) on any selections included as we delve into the always-controversial topic.

Player Vote: 10. Manny Ramirez

Career Stats (19 seasons): .312 BA/.411 OBP/.585 SLG/2,574 H/555 HR

Given the off-the-field issues Manny Ramirez has had, it's not surprising that he could end up on such a list.

His salaries have been inflated considering that he's essentially the Randy Moss of Major League Baseball, but at the same time, he was always a game-changer who couldn't be overlooked when he stepped up to the plate.

10: Jimmy Rollins

Career Stats (12 seasons): .272 BA/.329 OBP/.432 SLG/1,866 H/170 HR

Jimmy Rollins has received a number of accolades throughout his career, including three All-Star appearances, three Gold Glove awards and an MVP trophy in 2007.

He boasts some statistics that set him apart from infield peers and his defense isn't called into question, but his offense, while relatively consistent, has yielded six seasons with sub-.275 batting averages.

Overall, his offensive productivity has diminished since his MVP season.

Player Vote: 9. A.J. Burnett

Career Stats (13 seasons): 121-111 /4.10 ERA/1.332 WHIP/8.2K-9inn/3.8BB-9inn

A.J. Burnett is the first Yankee we'll see on this list selected by MLB players, but he won't be the last.

It's no secret that Burnett has struggled with his control on the mound throughout his career, something that's only amplified when playing in Yankee Stadium.

He clearly hasn't lived up to the five-year, $82.5 million contract he signed with the team and I'd say he is the most (and probably only) deserving Yankee on this list.

9: Ryan Howard

Career Stats (8 seasons): .275 BA/.368 OBP/.560 SLG/1,043 H/286 HR

In some ways, it's understandable to call Ryan Howard overrated, but in others, it just seems like smoke and mirrors.

His strikeout numbers are relatively high, and he doesn't typically hit for a great average. Knowing that Ryan Howard isn't a man who will hit for average and contact, though, it's easy to see where his value lies.

In multiple seasons, he's managed to hit nearly 50 home runs and drive in close to 150 runs despite an average below .270 and coming close to the league lead in strikeouts.

Player Vote: 8. David Ortiz

Career Stats (15 seasons): .283 BA/.378 OBP/.544 SLG/1,760 H/378 HR

David Ortiz falls into a similar category as other Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.

Playing under such a bright light makes it virtually impossible to live up to everyone's standards, and inevitably you're going to be considered overrated in someone's book.

Ortiz has certainly had some rough patches throughout his career, but it's hard to argue with a 36 home run/114 RBI average since 2003.

8: Jonathan Papelbon

Career Stats (7 seasons): 23-19 /2.33 ERA/1.018 WHIP/10.7K-9inn/2.4BB-9inn

It might just be me, but I don't completely get why Jonathan Papelbon gets as much criticism as he does.

The Phillies did sign him to a contract that will be very difficult to live up to in the coming years, but 2010 was really his only down year.

Even then, he saved 37 games and maintained an ability to miss bats, although his walk numbers were as high as they've ever been.

Player Vote: 7. B.J. Upton

Career Stats (7 seasons): .257 BA/.342 OBP/.416 SLG/769 H/90 HR

It might just be that most feel B.J. Upton is being awarded too much upside, because while the MLB players consider him one of the most overrated players in the game, I don't think he's typically rated all that highly...right now.

At just 27, he's definitely got his best years in front of him; and with good speed on the basepaths and in the field, he could develop into a top-tier player at some point.

7: Torii Hunter

Career Stats (15 seasons): .274 BA/.332 OBP/.467 SLG/1,819 H/281 HR

Torii Hunter's defensive abilities will never be called into question, as he's one of the best outfielders we've seen in a long time.

His offensive ability is there and he's been a solid contributor from a statistical perspective, averaging 22 home runs and 85 RBI per season since signing with the Angels.

It's just a matter of deciding whether that's worth nearly $20 million per season.

Player Vote: 6. Nick Swisher

Career Stats (8 seasons): .254 BA/.360 OBP/.466 SLG/939 H/185 HR

Again here, it seems Nick Swisher's uniform may have put him on this list, as I don't really see how he can be considered an overrated player.

I could just be in my own little world, but in general, I see Swisher as a serviceable mid- to back-end of the lineup guy who is put on a bigger spotlight due to the market he plays in.

6: Ian Kinsler

Career Stats (6 seasons): .275 BA/.355 OBP/.469 SLG/826 H/124 HR

Ian Kinsler's career thus far has been somewhat a game of ups and downs. Every year that he's batted at least .286 has been followed up with a season at least 23 points lower, including a 66-point dip from 2008 to 2009.

In reality, his roughly $4 million salary seems fair for his output, but playing on a team that's made World Series pushes the past two seasons adds pressure to be a bigger name on the roster.

Player Vote: 5. Jonathan Papelbon

Career Stats (7 seasons): 23-19 /2.33 ERA/1.018 WHIP/10.7K-9inn/2.4BB-9inn

Once again, it seems like players have that bias against the New York/Boston teams, as Papelbon is the second member of the Red Sox the MLB selection has chosen.

5: Ubaldo Jimenez

Career Stats (6 seasons): 60-49/3.76 ERA/1.296 WHIP/8.2K-9inn/3.9BB-9inn

Ubaldo Jimenez may not be an overrated player as a whole, but in reality, he was likely overvalued after his outstanding 2010 campaign, leading to the disappointment of a sub-par 2011.

At 27, you'd have to think he'll rebound and achieve greater success once again with his health being the biggest variable.

Player Vote: 4. Jayson Werth

Career Stats (9 seasons): .264 BA/.360 OBP/.464 SLG/814 H/140 HR

Jayson Werth's addition to this list toes the line between overrated and overpaid.

With 2009 and 2010 (.282 BA, 64 HR, 184 RBI) as Werth's most significantly successful seasons, the Washington Nationals caused many to scratch their heads in signing Werth to a seven-year, $126 million contract.

4: Jayson Werth

Career Stats (9 seasons): .264 BA/.360 OBP/.464 SLG/814 H/140 HR

Werth's reward to Nationals fans in 2011 was a season in which he batted .232, drove in only 58 runs and struck out a career-high 160 times.

He may very well redeem himself during the final six years of his contract, but given the hole he's dug himself, I wouldn't count on that contract panning out in the long run.

Player Vote: 3. Derek Jeter

Career Stats (17 seasons): .313 BA/.383 OBP/.449 SLG/3,088 H/240 HR

All in all, I'm at a loss for how Derek Jeter is considered by a selection of his peers to be the third most overrated player in baseball.

I understand that his stature on and off the field set the table for lofty expectations, but if you look at Jeter's track record in one of the hardest markets to play in, it's hard not to be impressed with what he's done.

3: Joe Mauer

Career Stats (8 seasons): .323 BA/.403 OBP/.471 SLG/1,096 H/84 HR

As a Minnesota native and graduate of the same high school that Joe Mauer attended, you'd think I'd be the first to refute any claim that he's overrated in this league.

Fans in Minnesota love that he's a hometown boy and has enjoyed success in the league. But the reality is that his contract accounts for nearly 25 percent of the team's payroll and his passive attitude towards rehabilitating from injury is starting to call his value into question.

He's had enough of a track record as a hitter in this league to think he'll bounce back to the top of the league in batting average, but his lack of power and the growing likelihood that he'll switch to a less taxing position make it hard to believe he'll live up to the $184 million paycheck he's earning.

Player Vote: 2. Joba Chamberlain

Career Stats (5 seasons): 20-13/3.70 ERA/1.335 WHIP/9.1K-9inn/3.5BB-9inn

After Joba Chamberlain posted a solid 2.60 ERA and finishing eighth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2008, the Yankees thought they had a pitcher on their hands who would be fit for the long haul and could be a mainstay on the staff.

His tenure as a starter was less than positive and his demotion to the bullpen didn't go well, either. Despite putting up decent numbers in limited action in 2011, he'll continue to be a name that emerges in trade talks, as the Yankees likely won't wait forever for him to turn the corner.

2: J.D. Drew

Career Stats (14 seasons): .278 BA/.384 OBP/.489 SLG/1,437 H/242 HR

I'm not really so sure anyone out there is considering J.D. Drew good enough of a player anymore to be overrated, but he certainly has declined since his best years with the Bosox.

After a decent 2006 season, Drew was given a five-year, $70 million contract and simply hasn't produced.

He averaged only 57 RBI per season during his contract and only once batted .280, a number he had only dipped below once since 2000.

Player Vote: 1. Alex Rodriguez

Career Stats (18 seasons): .302 BA/.386 OBP/.567 SLG/2,775 H/629 HR

Some people might not be surprised to see this name as MLB players' choice for the most overrated player in the game today.

I, however, don't get it. Alex Rodriguez will always have the usage of banned substances hanging over his head, but his productivity before that time and after that time have been remarkable.

We've seen his numbers come down a bit since he won his last MVP trophy in 2007 but since 2008, he's still managed to average nearly 30 home runs and 100 RBI per season while earning an OPS near .900 and OBP of .375.

With A-Rod turning 37 next summer, I wouldn't be surprised if we never saw another 50 (or even 40) home run season from him, but he's still got good years left in the tank and calling him the most overrated player in the game really seems to be a stretch.

1: A.J. Burnett

Career Stats (13 seasons): 121-111 /4.10 ERA/1.332 WHIP/8.2K-9inn/3.8BB-9inn

Between his inability to handle the pressure that he signed up for when he went to the Yankees, the inflated paychecks he's receiving and the fact that we've seen how much better he can be, it's hard not to consider A.J. Burnett the most overrated player in the game.

At the same time, though, years of failure to meet expectations make it hard to believe there are that many out there still rating him highly enough to even consider him overrated.