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So, who were the most disappointing players this year?

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BBCgalaxee

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Sep 9, 2011
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Carlos Osorio/Associated PressMLB's Worst Players of the 2017 Regular Season

JACOB SHAFER
SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

You know what's fun? The All-Star Game, whenMLB*honors its best players in a glistening midseason exhibition.

You know what else is fun? The playoffs, when the top teams from both leagues compete in a taut, thrilling tournament to determine who hoists the Commissioner's Trophy and bathes in confetti.

You know what's a bummer? Ranking the worst players in baseball.

That's our purpose, however, and there's a morbid fascination to it. To warrant inclusion, a player has to qualify for the batting title (at least 3.1 plate appearances per team games played) or ERA title (at least one inning pitched per team games played).

That means you won't find any scrubs. Rather, these are guys with enough talent and track record to play consistently, but not enough to perform up to par.

As for the rankings, we're using*FanGraphs' WAR calculations, with ties broken by number of games played. WAR is by no means a be-all, end-all stat; there's some variation between FanGraphs' numbers and those over atBaseball-Reference, suggesting a degree of gray area. Regardless, it's a relatively accurate shorthand for value—or lack thereof.

Because we're looking only at players who qualified for the batting and ERA titles, our bottom 10 is populated solely by position players, though one qualified (unqualified?) pitcher slipped into the dishonorable mentions.

Dishonorable MentionsCarlos Osorio/Associated Press

Ariel Miranda, LHP, Seattle Mariners*(0.1*WAR)*

There have been plenty of bad pitchers in baseball this year; most just haven't thrown enough innings to qualify for the ERA crown. Ariel Miranda gets the ignoble distinction of being the only arm represented here. The Seattle Mariners lefty sports a 5.12 ERA, and his*5.72 FIP*suggests he's been a little lucky. The 28-year-old Cuban also leads the majors with 37 home runs allowed in 29 starts for the injury-riddled M's.

* *

Melky Cabrera, OF, Kansas City Royals*(0.0*WAR)

Melky Cabrera swapped uniforms at the non-waiver trade deadline, hopping from the Chicago White Sox to the Kansas City Royals. His numbers dipped after his return to K.C., and overall, the Melk Man has delivered a .751 OPS and career-low*minus-8 DRS*in left field.

* *

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers*(-0.1*WAR)

Miguel Cabrera is one of the greatest hitters of his generation and a surefire Hall of Famer. This season, however, he's been slightly worse than your average replacement player. Injuries and age are catching up to the 34-year-old, who's hit .249 with 16 home runs and a .728 OPS, all career full-season lows. And while he's never been a whiz defensively, he's also posted a career-worst*minus-8 DRS*at first.

* *

Jose Peraza, INF, Cincinnati Reds*(-0.2*WAR)

Jose Peraza's best tool is his speed, as evidenced by the 22 stolen bases he has this year. The Cincinnati Reds infielder has*also been caught seven times, which means he's failed on nearly a quarter of his attempts. Additionally, he has an abysmal .295 on-base percentage, virtually no power and a glove that has earned him*minus-1 defensive runs saved*at second base and minus-6 at shortstop.

* *

Danny Valencia, 1B, Seattle Mariners*(-0.3WAR)

The Seattle Mariners are mired in yet another disappointing season and will miss the playoffs for the 16th straight year. First baseman Danny Valencia has embodied that mediocrity with a .315 on-base percentage and .414 slugging percentage, unacceptable numbers for a corner infielder. Tack on a*minus-3.6 ultimate zone rating*at first base and you have the "complete" package.


10. Jose Bautista, RF, Toronto Blue JaysTom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

WAR:*-0.3

If 2017 was the end of Jose Bautista's 10-year Toronto Blue Jays career—which seems likely—it wasn't the exit he would have scripted.

Bautista, whose power and bat-flipping antics defined Toronto's postseason runs in 2015 and 2016, has hit .204 with a .311 on-base percentage.*

He has managed to club 22 home runs, but hisminus-9 DRS*in right field has torpedoed whatever offensive value the 36-year-old slugger provides.

Jays fans owe a lot to Joey Bats. When they conjure the memories, though, they'll want to forget this season.



9. Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Colorado RockiesDavid Zalubowski/Associated Press

WAR:*-0.4

After years of mediocrity, the Colorado Rockies are pushing for a postseason berth. In a cruel twist, they could reach October in spite of three-time All-Star Carlos Gonzalez rather than because of him.

In 133 games, Gonzalez is hitting .255 with a .407 slugging percentage and only 13 home runs. He's been especially awful away from Coors Field, where he's hitting .203 with a .606 OPS, numbers that would make a backup middle infielder blush.

His defense, which earned him three Gold Gloves between 2010 and 2013, has also fallen off, as his*minus-3 DRS*and minus-1.8 UZR attest.*

"I know what it feels like to be the best player in the game and the worst player in the game,"Gonzalez said in early July, per*Thomas Harding*of MLB.com.*"Right now, I feel like I'm the worst player in the game."

He's isn't statistically the worst, but he's in the running.



8. Hanley Ramirez, 1B/DH, Boston Red SoxCharles Krupa/Associated Press

WAR:*-0.6

A litany of injuries, including a*troublesome shoulder, have plagued Hanley Ramirez in 2017.

On a recent nine-game road trip from Sept. 14-24, the 33-year-old made just one start, though he did go 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and three RBI in said game.

Overall, Ramirez is slashing .239/.318/.421, and his average has dipped to .179 in September. He's seen limited action at first base, where his defense is passable at best, but he's a designated hitter with dubious hitting ability*at this point of his career.

The Boston Red Sox are headed back to the postseason. It looks like Ramirez will play a diminished role.



7. Kendrys Morales, DH, Toronto Blue JaysJohn Froschauer/Associated Press

WAR:*-0.6

If you're going to log almost all of your innings as a DH, you'd better hit. As with Ramirez, Kendrys Morales hasn't been up to the challenge.

Yes, Morales has clubbed 28 home runs, an respectable but not eye-popping total in today's homer-happy MLB.*He's also struck out 131 times next to just 43 walks and owns a pedestrian .308 on-base percentage.

The bottom line: Lumbering sluggers who don't get on base and provide zero defensive value aren't at a premium in today's game.



6. Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia PhilliesRich Schultz/Getty Images

WAR:*-0.6

Maikel Franco is hitting .282 with three home runs in September. Those are positive signs for the Philadelphia Phillies third baseman, who looked like a rising star as recently as last season.

Overall, though, Franco owns a .230/.282/.398 slash line, which spells "ouch" for anyone, especially a corner infielder.*

The 25-year-old's defensive ratings are also subpar, as he totes*minus-5 DRS*and a minus-4.4 UZR.

The rebuilding Phils have reasons to believe in Franco, including his recent resurgence, but 2017 has been a significant step backward.



5. Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas RangersThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

WAR:*-0.9

Rougned Odor wasn't exactly an on-base machine in 2016, as he posted a .296 OBP with 19 walks in 150 games.*The Texas Rangers second baseman balanced that, however, with a .271 average and .502 slugging percentage.

This season, Odor's OBP has plummeted to an unforgivable .253, while his average (.204) and slugging percentage (.400) have also taken a dive.

Yes, he's hit 30 home runs, an impressive total for a middle infielder. But his lack of plate discipline and suspect defense—he leads all second basemen with*17 errors—outweigh the thump.



4. Carlos Beltran, DH/OF, Houston AstrosBob Levey/Getty Images

WAR:*-1.1

Carlos Beltran is a modern postseason legend. Perhaps Beltran, who owns a 1.078 career OPS in the playoffs, can muster one more magical October with the Houston Astros.

If so, it'll stand in harsh contrast to his 2017 regular season.*

In 126 games, Beltran has slashed .230/.283/.386. Like Ramirez and Morales, he's seen the bulk of his action at DH. He hasn't helped his case in limited outfield action, posting*minus-1 DRS.

The Astros lineup is stacked with young talent, meaning they don't need Beltran to be more than an ancillary piece. Which is good, because that's clearly his ceiling at age 40.



3. Mark Trumbo, DH/RF, Baltimore OriolesPatrick Semansky/Associated Press

WAR:*-1.1

Remember when we said the market was bearish on one-dimensional sluggers with limited on-base capabilities?

You're going to meet three more of them, beginning with Mark Trumbo.

After crushing 47 homers in 2016, Trumbo has clubbed only 23 this season. The Baltimore Orioles bopper hasn't made up for that decline in any other facet, either. His on-base percentage has dropped from .316 to .289, his slugging percentage has fallen from .533 to .398 and he's a liability in right field.*

Simply put, he's done less of the thing he's good at and more of the stuff he's bad at. That's a nasty combination.*



2. Tommy Joseph, 1B, Philadelphia PhilliesBill Kostroun/Associated Press

WAR:*-1.2

Tommy Joseph had a nice rookie season in 2016, smacking 21 home runs and posting an .813 OPS in 107 games for the Phillies.

He's cleared the fence 22 times in 140 games this season. Yet—cue the familiar music—his OBP has dropped from .308 to .288 and his OPS has tumbled to .720.

Playing in the National League, Joseph can't be stashed at DH. Unfortunately, the metrics hate his defense at first base, where he owns*minus-11 DRS*and a -4.6 UZR.

Unsurprisingly, the 26-year-old's playing time has waned in September. Unless he sips from the OBP fountain this winter, his future could be as a bench bat.



1. Albert Pujols, DH, Los Angeles AngelsTony Gutierrez/Associated Press

WAR:*-1.7

As with Miggy Cabrera, Albert Pujols is a no-doubt Hall of Famer. He's also in the twilight of his career.

His .242 average, .288 OBP and .389 slugging percentage are all career lows. He's matched a career high with 93 strikeouts. His days of providing any value in the field are long gone.

Yes, the 37-year-old three-time MVP has tallied 100 RBI, thanks in large part to hitting behind Mike Trout. That's a nice, round number and shows Pujols still has his moments. They're getting fewer and further between, though.

And while it doesn't impact his WAR, it's worth noting the Los Angeles Angels owe Pujols more than $100 million through 2021, his age-41 season.

In other words, this will get a whole lot uglier in the years to come.

* *

All statistics, including WAR totals, accurate through Tuesday's games and courtesy ofFanGraphs.*

***

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WCTYSON

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2014
7,364
171
I'll go, for position players early in their careers with a certain level of productivity expected:

Swanson
Odor
B. Hamilton

And for pitchers, within the same guidelines, I'll go:

Hellickson
Moore
Teheran
 

JVHaste

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2015
4,751
270
Vancouver WA
Worst players for me

Odor is the worst player I've ever seen hit 30hr. cringeworthy player
Pablo was very hard to watch with the Sox... then he goes to the Giants and hits them out the first draft pick :lol:
Miranda has the biggest "buy low" value here. You can take him and put him as a lefty specialist. If he wasn't for a historic injury year he would have already.
Ichiro is one of those aging guys that's hard to watch. he says he wants to play to 50 :|
Pujols contract is just brutal. simply Fing brutal.


Worst moments were when Harper and Trout went down with injuries, as they were having MVP seasons. I guess that's Judge/Stanton's gain.
 

Austin

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
5,706
41
Dallas, Texas
Remember when Eric Thames was an early season Triple Crown candidate and idiots were paying crazy cash for his cards?

He finished hitting .247 with 31 homers and only 63 rbi.
 

rsmath

Active member
Nov 8, 2008
6,086
1
Adrian Gonzalez is mine. I do take comfort in Bellinger taking big steps to be ready to step in.

I would probably also say the cubs team. ;) Big overachievers last year and I bet if you totalled up all the stats, this year was not as big for most of them.
 

AnthonyCorona

Well-known member
Oct 6, 2014
9,600
68
Modesto, CA
Remember when Eric Thames was an early season Triple Crown candidate and idiots were paying crazy cash for his cards?

He finished hitting .247 with 31 homers and only 63 rbi.
That would be the MVP on the Giants hahaha

Bring me your Bickford, Ryan McMahon, Senzatela and Peter Lambert cards
 

WCTYSON

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2014
7,364
171
Adrian Gonzalez is mine. I do take comfort in Bellinger taking big steps to be ready to step in.

I would probably also say the cubs team. ;) Big overachievers last year and I bet if you totalled up all the stats, this year was not as big for most of them.

Why consider an injured player?

With the Cubs, the major drop off has been with their pitching staff while offensively they dropped too.
 

UMich92

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2008
1,870
42
Miggy is really crazy. Pujols couldn't have too high expectations but you always feel Miggy will always have an MVP season

As a Tigers fan, it was difficult to watch Miggy this year. It was recently reported he has two herniated discs in his back. I'd like to attribute his poor season to his back but that still doesn't bode well for future years give his age and recent injury history.
 

aarne13

Active member
Oct 15, 2008
3,219
0
The Permian Basin
Joey Bats- hard to watch this year. Just plain terrible offensively and defensively. Heck, light hitting backup IF Ryan Goins almost had the same OPS as Bautista.
 

death2redemptions

New member
Feb 4, 2016
12,488
0
The Carolina on the Southern side
As a Tigers fan, it was difficult to watch Miggy this year. It was recently reported he has two herniated discs in his back. I'd like to attribute his poor season to his back but that still doesn't bode well for future years give his age and recent injury history.

I'm hoping he has enough left in him to bash 38 more home runs & collect 364 hits before his career ends so he can become one of those very rare 3k hits/500 HR legends. He is signed thru 2023 so assuming he doesn't have a career ending injury he should certainly be able to. If how he performed this season becomes the norm, he would only need 3 more seasons to accomplish this goal. I mean, if his career ended right now he'd still make it to the HOF so it's not like he needs to reach those milestones to make it.
 
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