Each MLB Team's Current Player They Wish They Hadn't Signed

Major League Baseball doesn't have a salary cap and as a result, teams are free to spend, or not spend, their money at will.

Big market teams such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have more money than small-market teams like the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, and that heavily impacts their offseason spending each year.

Regardless of how many free agents are brought in and how much they cost, each team has at least one current player they wish they hadn't signed, no matter how much that contract may be worth.

Let's take a look at all 30 teams.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jason Kubel
Left Field 

Technically the Diamondbacks can't already be wishing they hadn't signed him since the ink is still drying, but Arizona will soon regret signing Jason Kubel to a deal worth $15 million over two years. This is a guy who hit .273 with 58 RBI last year in Minnesota, and now he's getting a $2.5 million increase per year at the age of 29.

While playing in a hitter's park like Chase Field will help, his defense will undoubtedly hurt the Diamondbacks, a team with one of the best defensive outfields last year. 

He can definitely make a positive impact in Arizona, but $15 million worth? I don't think so.

Atlanta Braves

Eric Hinske and David Ross
Utility and Catcher 

The Atlanta Braves have managed their team and money very well. As a result, they only have two players that were signed as free agents that were questionable. 

Eric Hinske maked $1.35 million last season while David Ross $1.625.

That's not a lot of money, but Hinske only batted .233 with a .311 OBP. Ross hit .263 in only 52 games as the backup catcher.

If those are the worst two free-agent signings on their team, then hats off to the Braves; they've done a good job.

Baltimore Orioles

Brian Roberts
Second Base 

Brian Roberts signed an extension through 2014 with the Baltimore Orioles after the 2009 season and he proceeded to have a great year. But ever since then, he has only played in 98 games in two seasons because of a herniated disk and a concussion.

If here were healthy, he might be worth the $40 million he signed for. But with all of the injuries, the Baltimore front office is wishing they could have some of that money back.

Boston Red Sox

John Lackey
Starting Pitcher 

It's always bad news when your fans are happy that you're missing an entire season because of Tommy John surgery.

That's what happened to John Lackey.

In eight seasons in Anaheim, John Lackey had a record of 102-71 with an ERA of 3.81. He was then lured to Boston to go play for the Red Sox for the next five years while being paid $82.5 million.

So far, in his two seasons in Boston, Lackey has a record of 26-23 and an ERA of 5.26 while leading the league in earned runs and hit by pitch in 2011.

He will miss 2012 with Tommy John surgery.

Cincinnati Reds

Bronson Arroyo
Starting Pitcher 

After being traded by the Cincinnati Reds by the Boston Red Sox, Bronson Arroyo has signed multiple extensions with the Reds, the most recent being a three year deal worth $35 million before the 2011 season.

The 34 year old did not perform well last season, going 9-12 with an ERA of 5.07. He also led the National League in earned runs, 112, and home runs, 46.

Those numbers hurt the Reds as they failed to return to the playoffs in 2010 and they will need a great showing from Arroyo in 2012 to make up for it.

Chicago Cubs

Alfonso Soriano
Left Field 

The Chicago Cubs have been waiting for a World Series title since 1908. 

When they signed Alfonso Soriano in 2007 for eight years $126 million, they thought they took a huge step towards that. Sadly, that has not been the case as they now enter their sixth season together.

Soriano has not been the prolific player the front office thought he would be. He has declined in almost ever season since joining the Cubs—he only hit .244 with 88 RBI in addition to the lowest fielding percentage by any left fielder.

Soriano is a good player, but he's not worth the 19th largest contract in all of sports.

Chicago White Sox

Adam Dunn
Designated Hitter 

The Chicago White Sox thought they were getting a special player when they signed Adam Dunn to a four-year $56 million deal before 2011.

But Dunn pulled a fast one on them and went on to hit .159 with 42 RBI.

The 32 year old has a lot of work to do to make up for last year and to live up to his contract.

Cleveland Indians

Travis Hafner
Designated Hitter 

Travis Hafner was one of the American League's most feared sluggers from 2004 to 2007, as he never posted fewer than 100 RBI.

But during the 2007 season, he signed a four-year, $57 million extension to keep him with the club through 2012. He hasn't been the same since.

Since the contract was signed, Hafner hasn't played in more than 118 games during a season and has played in as few as 54. His RBI numbers have gone down significantly, only driving in 57 in 2011.

In 2011, Hafner made $1 million for each home run he hit. That's $13 million last year, and he will make that much again in 2012.

Colorado Rockies

Michael Cuddyer 
Outfield 

The Colorado Rockies haven't had a big free agent signing since they signed Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle for a combined $172 million. Neither did very much of anything in the Mile High City so it's easy to see why it's taken them so long to go after another big free agent.

Thankfully for them, Michael Cuddyer's deal is only worth $31.5 million over three years. But even still, that deal might be too much for the 32 year old outfielder who averages 82 RBI and a .272 batting average.

Only time will tell just how good this signing was for Colorado.

Detroit Tigers

Joaquin Benoit
Reliever

The Detroit reliever is one of very few options from the Tigers who has put up bad numbers.

In fact, his "bad numbers" are a respectable 4-3 record with a 2.95 ERA for $5.5 million.

The only problem with Benoit is that he is already 34 years old and is set to make $5.5 for the next two years as well. But overall, this is just a tribute to the front office in Detroit for doing a good job with their spending.

Houston Astros

Brett Myers
Starting Pitcher 

Brett Myers is currently under contract with the Houston Astros for at least one more season after signing an extension with the club in 2010. 

Last year he made $8 million for one of the worst seasons of his career. Myers finished 2011 with a record of 7-14 with a 4.46 ERA. Next season, he is due to make $11 million. 

At this rate, there is no way the Astros will pick up his $10 million option in 2013.

Kansas City Royals

Jonathan Broxton
Closer 

Jonathan Broxton is hardly the closer he once was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 2009, he saved 36 games for the Dodgers and made the All-Star team. But last year he only pitched in 14 games due to elbow problems. 

Broxton had already been declining at the time of the injury so when Kansas City signed him to a one year deal for $4 million, it came as a shock. This team isn't one that is in need of a closer since they still have Joakim Soria. 

Los Angels Angels of Anaheim

Bobby Abreu
Left Field 

Bobby Abreu has hardly been a bad signing for the Angels because of his great 2009 season when he hit .293 and knocked in 103 RBI.

But since then, his numbers have slowly been dropping, off only getting 78 and 60 RBI the past two seasons. He is getting older and there is a lot of young talent in the Angels' outfield and they are taking playing time away from the veteran.

He was paid $9 million last year and will get the same amount this year but likely won't play enough to warrant so much money, although his veteran presence should help even it out.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Juan Uribe
Third Base 

After the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers "stole" the Giants' third baseman, Juan Uribe, away from their hated rival.

Well it turns out that the joke is on the Dodgers after paying $21 million for three years. In Uribe's first year, he only played in 77 games and hit .204 to go along with his 28 RBI. 

Unless Uribe can really turn it around in the next two seasons, this signing was very regrettable.

Miami Marlins

Heath Bell
Closer 

Heath Bell has been a great closer for the San Diego Padres, stepping in for future Hall-of-Famer Trevor Hoffman nicely.

But is he worth the three year contract worth $27 million to pitch for the Miami Marlins? He is 34 after all.

If he can age like Trevor Hoffman did, he very well might be. If not, this big splurge could be a failure. 

Milwaukee Brewers

Aramis Ramirez
Third Base 

Yet another recent signing makes the list.

The Brewers just signed Aramis Ramirez to be their starting third baseman for the next three years with an option in 2015. The first year on the contract is a fairly good deal at $6 million. But by 2014, he will be getting paid $16 million at the age of 36. In 2015, there is a mutual option for $14 million with a $4 million buyout.

The Brewers won't regret this signing for the first year or two but by the end of his contract, they will be wishing they had a better option.

Minnesota Twins

Carl Pavano
Starting Pitcher 

Carl Pavano's career fell apart when he joined the New York Yankees. He got it back on track when he joined the Cleveland Indians and was traded to the Minnesota Twins at the break, where he has been since.

After recording a 17-11 record for the Twins, he only went 9-13 in 2011 while being paid $8 million. 

Next season, he is on tap for $8.5 million and it's doubtful that he will pitch up to the contract. 

New York Mets

Jason Bay
Left Field 

Jason Bay has been a major disappointment ever since joining the New York Mets.

After hitting a career-high 36 home runs and 119 RBI for the Boston Red Sox in 2009, he signed a huge four year deal worth $66 million.

Since then, he has hit 18 home runs with 104 RBI for the Mets in two seasons. The spacious Citi Field hasn't helped his cause and it has shown.

New York Yankees

A.J. Burnett
Starting Pitcher 

A.J. Burnett came to the Yankees in 2008 by signing a $82.5 million contact over five years. In his first year, he posted a 13-9 record but in the two seasons since, he has a 21-26 record.

At a salary of $16.5 million the past two years, and for the next two, he isn't quite making his money.Over the past two seasons, Burnett has made $1.57 million per win.

Oakland Athletics

Brian Fuentes
Reliever  

Brian Fuentes came to the A's after a season he split in Anaheim and Minnesota in which he went 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA.

Then he signed a deal worth $10 million over two years and went 2-8 with a 3.70 ERA. For a small market team like Oakland, that's far too much to pay for someone to be so ineffective. 

Philadelphia Phillies

Jonathan Papelbon
Closer 

Jonathan Papelbon has been one of baseball's best closers since entering the league with the Boston Red Sox in 2005.

Deservedly so, he received a big contract to go sign with the Phillies—the largest contract to a reliever, in fact. He signed for four years and $50 million but he won't live up to the contract.

The past five big-name free agent closers have all dropped below a 3.0 WAR after at least their second season with their new club. 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Maholm
Starting Pitcher 

Would you pay over $6 million a year to a 29 year old pitcher who has a .421 winning percentage over their entire career? I wouldn't. 

And yet that's what the Pittsburgh Pirates are doing with Paul Maholm. The Pirates don't have a lot of money locked up in a few players so there isn't a whole lot to complain about with them, but this signing was a mistake.

San Diego Padres

Orlando Hudson
Second Base 

The 34 year old Orlando Hudson is only signed for $4 million but at the end of the day, he isn't playing very good baseball for the Padres. 

While a solid defender, Hudson only hit .246 with 54 runs compared to the 80 runs he scored in 2010. He also got injured yet again and only played in 119 games.

San Francisco Giants

Barry Zito
Starting Pitcher 

Barry Zito is the poster-child of front office regret. 

Zito was a great pitcher with the Oakland Athletics, even winning the 2002 AL Cy Young. But in 2006, he signed for seven years and $126 million with the Giants.

Since joining the Giants, he has become ineffective and has a .413 winning percentage with the club.

Seattle Mariners

Chone Figgins
Third Base 

After joining the Seattle Mariners as a free agent in 2010, Chone Figgins has not been the same player he once was.

With the Angels, Figgins averaged 43 RBI, a .291 batting average and .751 OPS over eight seasons. Now with the Mariners, Figgins has 50 RBI, a.236 batting average and a .595 OPS in two seasons.

And he's now getting paid over $9 million to do so.

St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Beltran
Center Field 

Carlos Beltran just signed his deal with the St. Louis Cardinals and it's already made him the most overrated player on the reigning champs.

He signed a two-year deal worth $26 million. Last year with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, he batted .300 with 84 RBI but he has been battling a lot of injuries the past few seasons and is already 34.

Tampa Bay Rays

Manny Ramirez
Designated Hitter

Manny is a bit different from every other player on this list. 

Yes, he is a bit crazy because he is Manny Ramirez after all, but he is also the only player not currently playing for the team he is listed for.

In fact, he isn't playing at all.

At the start of the 2011 season, Ramirez tested positive for PEDs for the second time of his career and brought the national spotlight to Tampa Bay when he abruptly retired.

Although Tampa Bay ended up making the playoffs in 2011, they didn't need the negative publicity to start the year from Ramirez.

Texas Rangers

Yu Darvish
Starting Pitcher

Assuming the Rangers and the Japanese phenom can agree to terms on a contract, it will undoubtedly be a ridiculous one—the Rangers bid $51.7 million on Darvish.

While he may live up to the contract, the odds are against him. For whatever reason, the grass is always greener over on Japanese soil and when players come to the Major Leagues, huge expectations follow them.

Toronto Blue Jays

Not Applicable 

Congratulations to the Toronto Blue Jays, you officially stumped me. 

The Blue Jays' biggest free agent acquisition that's left on the roster is Edwin Encarnacion. He got paid $2.5 million last year and hit .272. Now that budding star Brett Lawrie looks to be the everyday third baseman, where Encarnacion had fielding issues, he will move to designated hitter or possibly left field.

He can be a very solid backup and I think he's worth the price. Toronto has done a good job with their payroll. But if any Jays fans feel differently about a player on the roster, feel free to speak up in the comments!

Washington Nationals

Jayson Werth
Left Field 

In the 2011 offseason, the Washington Nationals wanted to make a big-time free agent splash to show the rest of Major League Baseball that they had arrived.

They made that signing in the form of a contract worth $126 million over seven years that they offered former Philadelphia Phillie Jayson Werth.

In 2011, Werth only hit .232 with 58 RBI, all while making $10,572,429.