MLB: Ten Worst Position Players in Baseball

• Pablo Sandoval might have ranked pretty high on this list, had John Farrell not had the guts to bench the $95 million dollar man. Sandoval was the worst player in the majors last season, and lost his job this spring to youngster Travis Shaw when he came to camp overweight.  He was recently shut down for the rest of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery after only seven plate appearances. I’d wager that $17 million dollar option for 2020 has already been declined.
• Another big money player that just missed our list is Prince Fielder, he of the $24 million AAV. Fielder is off to the worst start of his career, hitting to the tune of a 48 wRC+ and playing less than stellar defense.  Fielder had a terrible season as recently as 2014, but followed with a pretty solid campaign last year. For a guy who once hit 50 home runs in a season, his 28 total jacks since the end of the 2013 season is plenty bad.
• Peter Bourjos used to be thought of as one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, and though never a good hitter could hold his own in spot duty.  For some reason this season he’s getting regular at bats for Philadelphia even though his defense has deteriorated significantly.  He’d be on the list if he had ever really been a full-timer in the past, but save for one year back in 2011 for the Angels he’s never even had 300 at bats.
• Billy Butler would probably be in the top 3, had this list been made sometime during last season.  Finally though the Athletics have come to their senses and sat Butler firmly on the bench for most of this season. He’s owed another $10 million next year after signing what was one of the more confusing free agent contract of 2014.

Next: Number 10