MLB Victims: How an Amnesty Clause Rule Would Effect All 30 Teams

The amnesty clause is a huge affection in the National Basketball Association, as it became a new rule in as a result of the new collective bargaining system. The amnesty clause is allows team to terminate a player's contract, though it comes with certain conditions.

First of all, if a player should be amnestied, it doesn't go against the salary cap, therefore for all NBA fans, players like Chauncey Billups, Travis Outlaw, and others with large contracts, were amnestied. However, only one player can be amnestied. When this occurs, he goes to the waiver wire, and a team can bid on him, leading him to play there.

The amnesty clause would help many teams lower their financial deficit, and might not make players happy, but business is business, and in many cases an amnesty clause is very much needed.

The amnesty clause, not only helps a team clear financial deficit. It can also play a huge role in a team that's missing just one small piece, without a doubt, in the case of a amnesty clause rule their will be some nice players on the waiver wire, and it will be a outstanding experience to follow out every move. The player can change the look of a team. It can bring a team to the championships. It can help a team succeed.

The MLB has no form of amnesty clause as of now, but let's play around with it. Here is a look of each team if an amnesty clause would ever be in affect in the MLB. 

Boston Red Sox

The Victim: John Lackey

He had the Boston Red Sox record for the highest earned run average in at least 150 innings in 2011. He is getting payed over $15 million each season. He posted 12 horrific losses, and had a 6.41 earned run average, not to mention he is expected to miss the whole 2012 MLB season, due to Tommy John surgery. The unlucky man's name is John Lackey. 

It all started off on December 16, 2009, when John Lackey signed a eye-opening contract of $82.5 million dollars over five years with the Boston Red Sox. He had a disappointing start as he posted a 14-11 record, with a 4.40 ERA in 2010, and topped that off with a 12-12 record, and a 6.41 earned run average in 2011 and announcement that he will miss the 2012 season with Tommy John surgery.

His contract is up in 2014.

It is clear to say, John Lackey should be a victim of the amnesty clause.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Victim: Mark Teahen

The Blue Jays don't need this amnesty clause, since they have been considerably lucky, and careful with the contracts of their players. 

Mark Teahen was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Chicago White sox near the trade deadline in July. He finished off the 2011 season, with a .200 average, four homers, and 14 runs batted in. He is getting payed $5.5 million this coming season, which is the last season of his contract.

Teahen, really doesn't have much of a role for 2012 in the Blue Jays organization. As a backup, a player with $5.5 million contract, in a small market team is enough to be amnestied. 

Baltimore Orioles

The Victim: Brian Roberts

This was an easy one. Brian Roberts' season was hectic with injuries throughout the season, and had a bat decline in his 39 games. Despite Roberts speed, and remaining strength in defense, overall a .221 average, three homers, and only six steals, was far from impressive for his large contract.

Brian Roberts, has $10 million per year on his contract throughout the 2013 season. As he gets older, and is near a decline, the former all stars days are over. With a remaining large contract, it is clear that he amnestied if they had the choice.

New York Yankees

The Victims: Alex Rodriguez, A.J. Burnett

Yes, there can only be only one victim in the clause, but it was too close a call.

Alex Rodriguez had a plagued season. He played less than 100 games, and only posted decent stats. Rodriguez is a decent player, and will be a Yankee trademark for likely many more years, although he has the largest contract in the league, which must be terminated. He is getting payed almost $30 million per season throughout 2017, and is declining as next season he will turn 37 years old.

The Yankees can get much better pieces with the large contract he has.

A.J. Burnett has came off another terrible season, and has no signs of getting better. He is receiving about $16.5 million per year throughout the 2013 season, and has gave Yankees nothing but trouble. For the past two seasons, he posted an earned run average above five, and the Yankees would have no reason in the world not to terminate his contract if they had a choice.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Victims: No One

I'll be honest here, the Tampa Bay Rays have been extremely lucky. The Rays have a terrific team, even as a small market team, and their players have been great in the past season. In fact, the Rays aren't even paying high salaries to any players, the largest salary they have is $7 million, which is going to James Shields, who was a contendor for the Cy Young award last year.

Chicago White Sox

Adam Dunn, is getting payed $15 million per season through 2014, yet he has no skills. His power is winding down, his average barely got past the .150 mark, and his defensive skills are worthless. Even though the White Sox have Jake Peavy, and Alex Rios, who also slumped, and aren't worthy of their contracts, they are still playable.

Adam Dunn is just horrible. He is a useless piece.

Cleveland Indians

The Victim: Travis Hafner

Travis Hafner has been a nice contributor through the past seasons, but he isn't worthy of his whopping $13 million per year contract. 

In 94 games last season, Hafner posted 13 homers, and a decent .280 average. Hafner is still a nice player, although he is not the same player as the 2005 season Hafner, or the 2006 season Hafner where he was contending for the MVP award. Hafner remains a clutch, independent player in the dugout, but his contract is slightly high for the aging 34-year-old.

Kansas City Royals

The Victim: No One

The Royals' team is filled with youth, and cheap pieces. The Royals contracts aren't all great, such as Joakim Soria who had a slumping season last year. Since his contracts are all options, there is no reason in the world to amnesty him in that case. Also Soria is still elite. The Kansas City Royals are looking at some great youth to deal with, and own arguably the best farm system in the league.

Detroit Tigers

The Victim: Brandon Inge

Brandon Inge is a clear victim. $5.5 million is a clear candidate for amnesty, while his batting average didn't hit the .200 point, and only had three homers. Despite his strong defensive side, and being a piece to the team, he'd be dropped.

The Tigers, remain a successful team, with large contracts, yet none deserve to be terminated. In the averaged Detroit market, $5.5 million for a player who has no offensive side is a clear victim for the amnesty clause.

Minnesota Twins

The Victim: Joe Mauer

Yes, this is the same Joe Mauer who won MVP a few years ago, although does he really deserve $23 million annually?

The answer to that question is no. Mauer had a unexpected downfall in the 2011 season, where he only played 82 games, batted .287 (36 points less than his career average), and only three homers. His plagued season, earns him the amnesty spot. He isn't consistent on the field, nor is he healthy. No one here can argue $23 million is much more than he deserves. 

Los Angeles Angels

The Victim: Vernon Wells

When the manager looks at Vernon Wells, his thoughts are apparent, a powerful bat, with a whopping contract. Wells was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the season for Mike Napoli, and Juan Rivera. Napoli had an outstanding breakout season while Vernon Wells just proved he can't hit a ground ball through the middle.

Wells has an outstanding name. He is a three-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner , and had nice batting average back then. When a person looks at his whopping contract, the jaws are widened, and the name will get cut off the list with amnesty.

Seattle Mariners

The Victim: Chone Figgins

Chone Figgins had a horrific 2011 season, he was unable to reach the .200 mark, didn't contribute in steals, as much as expected, and it's obvious to all he is an unneeded spot in the Mariners organization. The Mariners will be quick to amnestied Figgins, because his bat has slumped, his average is down, he has no power, and he has no spot on this up and coming team.

Texas Rangers

The Victim: No One

The Rangers have had not many problems with contracts, and have none worth the amnesty clause. They really need little work with their team, and are only a little step away from winning that ring, which they almost got for the last two years.

Oakland Athletics

The Victim: Brian Fuentes

The Athletics, are a small market team, but seek no help from the closer who had absolutely no luck last year, which resulted with eight losses. Brian Fuentes, doesn't deserve to be amnestied, considering he had a decent 3.70 earned run average. Fuentes is receiving $5.5 million per year.

With the contract being large for the small market team, and his unsuccessful 2-8 record, they will cut him in a second.

New York Mets

The Victim: Jason Bay

The Mets are plagued with their high, unsuccessful payroll, with often injured Johan Santana and Jason Bay. There is a lot to say about Bay, he was signed for a whopping $16 million per year, failed to reach the .250 batting average mark, and didn't even provide a power bat, as he posted only 12 homers throughout the 2011 season. 

Johan Santana, can also be a likely victim. Santana, is going to get payed a whopping $24 million next year, and still might be plagued with his constant injuries. Santana, has had extreme issues due to injuries, although he still has a nice chance to come back with a successful future in a Mets uniform. Bay is a lost case, and the Mets will need to suffer with him throughout the 2013 season.

Florida Marlins

The Victim: Ricky Nolasco

The Marlins have a new team, a new star, an above average pitcher in Mark Buehrle, and some depth adding to it. 

Ricky Nolasco, posted a horrific 4.67 earned run average last year, and had 12 losses. This could result in an amnesty clause cut. Nolascos' contract isn't very pretty, as he still has a remaining $20.5 million throughout the next two seasons. 

Nolasco is still a decent piece, and would be picked up by a team, for decent money, he has good skills, but his stats ruins his chances of being an expensive piece in the Major League Baseball market. 

Washington Nationals

The Victim: Jayson Werth

The Nationals have an up and coming team. They have Stephen Strausburg, Bryce Harper, some nice pieces in the depth, and current roster, and newly acquired Gio Gonzales. However, Jayson Werth is a failure, and will receive $116 million in the next six years. 

Jayson Werth, had a horrific season, giving the Nationals troubles in the season. Werth posted 20 homers last year, but only had a .232 average, as he entered similar conditions of slumping power hitting as Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, and several others. 

With an amnesty clause, the Nationals would cut Werth with a blink. Werth had a terrible season, and didn't satisfy any of the Nationals needs.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Victim: Joe Blanton

The Philadelphia Phillies have an All-Star rotation, and Joe Blanton just doesn't make the cut. Joe Blanton, had an injury-plagued season in 2011, and Vance Worley took his spot, and was extremely successful. Rookie Vance Worley unexpectedly posted eleven wins, a 3.01 earned run average, and a spot in the rotation. 

However, Joe Blanton slumped, and barely played in the season, and with a $8.5 million contract coming into the bank in 2012, he is a clear cut for the Phillies.

Atlanta Braves

The Victim: No One

There's really is no one to choose from the team. The Braves, had a good season, and their players succeeded greatly. Derek Lowe was dealt, Chipper Jones was an All-Star, and Dan Uggla had a late season surge. There is no one left. Their team is set, if only there was an amnesty to cut Derek Lowe's remaining $10 million dollar contract.

Cincinnati Reds

The Victim: Scott Rolen

Scott Rolen had his time. The Reds are going to pay Rolen $6.5 million next year, while he only posted a .242 batting average. The Reds are clear to cut him despite his attitude as a great teammate, and his decent glove.

Bronson Arroyo is another candidate, though his season was a really big slump. For some reason, the feeling inside me tells that he will have a nice season next year.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Victim: Randy Wolf

The Wolf is out of the house. Wolf had a nice season last year, but can the 35-year-old continue?

Wolf, will be receiving $9.5 million next year, and the hopes are pretty low for the 35-year-old. Not many believe he will be worthy of $9.5 million, including the Brewers. Soon enough, he will be the victim of amnesty clause.

Houston Astros

The Victim: Carlos Lee

Unfortunately for the Houston Astros, with all honesty, their team is horrific, so horrific that Carlos Lee is their star.

Carlos Lee is set to receive a whopping $19 million a year, and he is expected to have a similar year to this past year, which was 18 homers, a .275 batting average, and 94 runs batted in. Despite his decent stats, the 19 million really hurts. While the Astros aren't competing, it wouldn't hurt to cut Lee, in the event which an amnesty clause rule is in effect.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Victim: No One

Did anyone realize the Pittsburgh Pirates payroll is only $10 million more dollars than Alex Rodriguez's contract?

Yep, it's $42 million this coming season, and they have no immediate victims worth using the amnesty clause. They aren't even paying a single player more than $5.5 million. That is insanity.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Victim: No One

The Cardinals players, were extremely successful this year. There was Lance Berkman, who came off a slumping season the ended off the 2011, with a 30 homer, .300 batting average season. Kyle Lohse, had a surprising 3.39 earned run average, and 14 deserving wins. Other than that, there's not much.

Chicago Cubs

The Victim: Alfonso Soriano

If only a team can use the amnesty clause unlimited amount of times. The Chicago Cubs, have Alfonso Soriano who is receiving $18 million per season throughout 2014. They also have the clubhouse hell in Carlos Zambrano. 

Alfonso Soriano makes the cut, the 35-year-old had a nice power season last year, as he posted 26 homers, though his .244 average makes him a clear choice for the cut. The seven time All-Star is near a downfall, and he would be the one if their was an amnesty clause rule.  

San Francisco Giants

The Victim: Barry Zito

The San Francisco Giants, have a strong rotation, and similar to the situation the Phillies had with Joe Blanton, the Giants have the same situation. 

Barry Zito has a $39 million dollar remaining contract for the next two years, while his injury-plagued season may cause him to be lost, and stuck with no spot. Replacing Barry Zito in the rotation was Ryan Vogelsong, who had a 13-7 win to loss record, and a 2.71 earned run average. Zito is now working in Triple-A after suffering from two hectic injuries in the 2011 season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Victim: No One

The Diamondbacks had a whopping breakout season last year, and have almost no financial issues either. They have a clear path to be successful in the upcoming years, and as their total payroll is only $56 million, there is no reason to cut anyone at the moment. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Victim: Juan Uribe

The Los Angeles Dodgers, are completely plagued financially. Frank McCourt gave the team financial chills, and the player who would be cut is Juan Uribe.

Juan Uribe is a terrible batter at the moment. After playing 77 games in 2011, he barely hit over .200, and only posted four homers. He has a remaining $15 million contract, and with those stats, who would want to pay for that.

Colorado Rockies

The Victim: Jorge De La Rosa

After suffering a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament, the Rockies would be bound to drop De La Rosa. Jorge De La Rosa had a averaged season last year despite being injury-plagued and having minor inconsistency. 

The last thing Rockies want is another dominant player having injury issues in the 2012 season. Carlos Gonzalez, and Troy Tulowitzki were suffering injuries last year the last thing they want is $10 million dollar starter Jorge De La Rosa on the roster, suffering, and being unable to play.

San Diego Padres

The Victim: Jason Bartlett

The San Diego Padres, are financially in no deficit. In 2011 their payroll barely exceeded 45 million dollars, though they wouldn't hesitate to cut an unneeded player.

Jason Bartlett, is a decent player, though his bat, is unworthy of 5.5 million, it may even not be worth a MLB stint. Though, he has a nice defensive side, and his speed is a nice tactic, to overlook his .245 batting average, and two homers last season. 

The 32-year old suffered a .307 slugging percentage last season, which was an all time MLB record for the lowest slugging percentage for a player with over 512 at bats in a season.