MLB: Starters for the “All-Overrated” Team by Position

It’s that time of year again where enthusiastic fans take full advantage of their ability to vote for their favorite shortstop 35 times.

Call to the Pen, on the other hand, has been involved with a different type of balloting process, with the results comprising the MLB All-Overrated team.

Identifying “overrated” players isn’t always an easy subject. For the most part, it is largely subjective, and it is easy to allow any personal bias toward a player of a certain team to get in the way when properly defining him. The point is, in the case of most, if not all open-ended sports discussions, there will always be at least someone willing to debate you on something where a scientific answer doesn’t exist.

So let’s allow the stats to do the talking. When identifying an “overrated player,” there is a certain criteria that should be established, which for the record, doesn’t include yelling at the television, “THAT’S IT, HE IS OVERATED,” in the event of a player’s untimely strikeout.

The first component that should be taken into account is Wins Above Replacement or WAR. While WAR isn’t the be-all, end-all in terms of sabermetrics, it is beneficial when trying to gauge a given player’s overall value, as well as taking into account how many wins that player is responsible for, as opposed to a backup player or minor leaguer that is thrust into action in the event the starting player is injured.

The second component that will be factored into the “overrated” criteria, will take into account the contractual agreement reached between team and player. It’s well documented that baseball is responsible for some of the worst contracts awarded in any of the professional sports, *cough* Albert Pujols.

Name recognition has a role in attributing to some of those ludicrous contracts, just as it does when a player receives sometimes undeservedly high praise from the public. Contracts should represent what teams think those players will do, not what they have done in the past.

The last component factored into the criteria might come as a surprise: durability. The MLB season is as rigorous as any, and without a doubt players should be awarded as many maintenance days as a team’s managerial staff sees fit. However, if a player’s typical season is categorized by more trips to Dr. James Andrews’ office than trips to the ballpark, that might be a problem, and definitely hinders a player from sustaining any type of rhythm.

It is important to note, referring to a player as “overrated” isn’t some version of unforgiving slander. There are many players, some even on this list, that either may have been, or still are good. They just might not be as good as popular opinion tends to perceive. With that being said, here is the starting lineup for the All-Overrated team.

Next: A chronically injured catcher

 Catcher: Travis d’Arnaud – New York Mets

Playing the strenuous positon of catcher usually leads to more of those previously mentioned maintenance days than other positions. However in the case of Travis d’Arnaud, those maintenance days usually lead to prolonged disabled list visits, and as a matter of fact, that is where he resides as of now.

Since 2014, the year in which d’Arnaud played in 108 games and emerged as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, the Mets catcher has played only 90 games total between the 2015 and 2016 seasons and hasn’t done much to improve on that productive season from more than two years ago.

The fact that d’Arnaud’s  name seems to appear on every prognosticator’s preseason list of “breakout” players, combined with the fact that he plays in a market with the capability of making just about anyone seem overrated, hasn’t done much to help the young catcher. What also really doesn’t help is the fact that he was tied for 81st in dWAR at -0.8 last year, while little known backup Kevin PIawecki came in at eighth in dWAR with a 1.1.

Optimistic fans, positive this would be the year d’Arnaud would return to form, were met with a cruel reality when he went on the disabled list only 13 games into the season. Even more discouraging than that might be the fact he was only batting .196 at the time.

Next: Staying in New York City

First Baseman: Mark Teixeira – New York Yankees

Without question, Mark Teixeira was arguably the best first basemen in the game earlier in his career. However, as the case with most overrated players, past accolades have a way of somehow being factored into the overall contributions a player has recently made to his team.  After an inconceivable season that saw Teixeira blast 31 homers, his best total since 2011, and accrue a 3.8 WAR, he has responded miserably by batting .196, slugging .297 and currently owns a -0.2 WAR.

Despite the success the Yankee first basemen experienced last year, it probably shouldn’t have called for much optimism among Yankee fans going forward. A look at the trajectory of his career reveals that the slugger has been trending downward across the board since 2012. Things have been so bad recently that Teixeira, who is statistically one of the most accomplished switch hitters ever, is now batting .148 from the left side, prompting manager Joe Girardi to leave him out of the roster more frequently based on what type of pitcher the Yankees are scheduled to face.

Combine declining statistics, the exposure that playing in New York brings and his name recognition with the fact Teixeira is scheduled to make a little over $23 million this year, and you have the recipe for an overrated player.

Next: Middle infielder too good to be true

Second Baseman: Daniel Murphy – Washington Nationals

Is there anyone outside the nation’s capital that anticipates Daniel Murphy’s incredible start to continue the entire season? No? Ok, good. There is a reason he currently finds himself on the trading block in all three of my fantasy leagues. It’s not because he isn’t producing. It has more to do with the .387 batting average, and .619 slugging percentage he is sporting being completely unsustainable.

Murphy, who is in the midst of his best season to date, has taken advantage of playing in a lineup that features Bryce Harper. While Harper doesn’t deserve all the credit for Murphy’s outlandish year, the special attention he receives has allowed Murphy to reap some benefits.

Murphy’s historic playoff run with the Mets, in which the second baseman launched seven homers in nine games, coupled with his hot start with the Nationals this year, has definitely changed the way people see him. It is important to note, however, that before entering this lengthy hot streak, Murphy, who aside from hitting is regarded as a poor fielder, has never finished a year with a WAR higher than 3.0, which is a number “stars” frequently eclipse.

Take last year for instance. Before the playoffs, Murphy finished tied for 22nd with a 1.4 WAR among qualifying second basemen. It is not to say that he is undeserving of an All-Star appearance this year. Based off the stats he has compiled, he definitely is. It’s just based off his career averages, which lead one to believe a drop off is coming shortly. Combined with playing alongside what may be the best hitter in the game in Bryce Harper, Murphy just might be a little overrated right now.

Next: A shortstop north of the border

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki – Toronto Blue Jays

Would it really be an “All-Overrated” team without an appearance from Tulo? Probably not, but Tulowitzki doesn’t frequently appear on these lists without good reason. For one, Tulowitzki is currently set to make $20 million per year over the next four years, and an additional $29 over the last two years of his deal. Not only that, but the Blue Jays shortstop has also racked up quite an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles in his many visits to the disabled list over his career.

Finally, he had the opportunity to play half his games in the hitter’s paradise that is Coors Field, which in turn had a hand in inflating his numbers to some degree throughout his ten-year career as a Colorado Rockie.

In 83 games since joining the Blue Jays, Tulowitzki finds himself slashing an uninspiring .222/.303/.386, and as a result of injuries has seen his range at shortstop begin to diminish as well. It is no secret that the position of shortstop in MLB is rich with young talent. Because of that the one-time “future” of the position, Tulowitzki, finds himself on the bottom of the second tier of the position among his respective youthful counterparts.

Despite where he may fall on a figurative tier listing of shortstops, Tulo continues to be paid like a superstar at the positon. Combine that with his durability concerns, and factor in his recent unimpressive numbers, the end result is a worthy starting role on the “All-Overrated” team.

Next: Small market representative at third

Third Baseman: Evan Longoria – Tampa Bay Rays

It’s rare that a star player such as Evan Longoria sees his career start and finish in Tampa. The financial complications that come with being a small market team as the Rays are often end up developing players, only to watch them take lucrative contract offers from opposing teams just as they hit their prime.

Longoria’s loyalty to the Rays is unprecedented. As a result, the Rays awarded him a contract that he will surely not be able to produce enough to warrant receiving it. It’s not to say that the face of the Rays for the foreseeable future will not be a good player, it has more to do with the previous point of awarding contracts for future successes, not past accomplishments.

After taking the league by storm in 2008, the year in which he won Rookie of the Year, Longoria hasn’t really taken that next step. He has yet to top the albeit strong .531 slugging percentage he put up in 2008, and the .272 batting average to go along with the .343 OBP are almost identical to those of his career averages in those categories of .270 and .346.

Longoria is still as safe a bet as any to hit .270, launch 20-plus homers and drive in 90, but he has proven for the most part, he isn’t anything more than that. In a way, his potential has contributed to him being overrated. Factoring in the $100 million deal that will kick in next year doesn’t do much to help either.

Next: A perplexing right fielder

Right Fielder: Yasiel Puig – Los Angeles Dodgers

After emerging as what looked to be a player with five-tool potential in his rookie season, and following that up with an All-Star appearance in his sophomore campaign, Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig has since seen his play decline rapidly.

A hamstring injury that relegated Puig to only 79 games in 2015 contributed to the young right fielder’s inability to develop any consistency at the plate, and as a result saw his oWAR of 5.2 in 2014 fall to 0.8, a startling drop-off. The only thing that seemed to appear more discouraging than the severe statistical drop-off were the reports that for the most part Puig was despised by teammates in the clubhouse.

The 25-year-old Puig still has a lot to learn. While his defensive prowess has actually managed to improve, as he is still willing to gun out any ambitious base runner willing to test his arm from deep right field, Puig, must continue to clean up his game that at times, looks completely reckless.

That starts with his approach at the plate, where he must show more discipline. As of recently, Puig has fallen as low as eighth in the batting order, which taking into account his anemic .242/.284/.392 slash line is where he belongs. Throw in his -0.1 oWAR and Puig’s ability to generate headlines despite not producing on the field, firmly plants him on the “All-Overrated” team’s roster.

Next: A two-year wonder in center

Left Fielder: Brett Gardner – New York Yankees

Nobody should ever have the audacity to question Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner’s work ethic. Gardner is a warrior, who brings everything he has every day. The qualities previously mentioned are rarely those you find associated with the names on an overrated list. However, in the case of Gardner, the spotlight of playing your career in New York City to go along with a second half fall-off after earning his first All-Star appearance last year, have contributed in his spot being reserved on the “All-Overrated” team.

His well-documented postseason struggles have a tendency to plague him as well when talking about Gardner as an overall player. Ideally, the playoffs are when teams expect their valued assets, to step up and perform. Gardner on the other hand for his career has slashed .203/.243/.217 in nine playoff series. Downright miserable numbers for a guy who has a skill set that could be utilized at the top of most orders.

As Gardner continues to age, it’s no surprise correlation that he has seen his stolen base total go down in each of the last three seasons. The left fielder is a nuisance if allowed on the base paths, but the problem sometimes has been getting there. What has hindered Gardner from being used consistently atop the lineup is his propensity for striking out. Like many other players on this list, Gardner is a formidable baseball player that many teams would be lucky to have on their roster. But also like many players on this list, the reputation that precedes him often does not end up reflecting the same way on the diamond.

Next: A pitcher undeserving of the 'ace' title?

Starting Pitcher: Matt Harvey – New York Mets

Has a pitcher yet to exceed the 13-win mark as a professional ever garnered so much attention?  There are times when Matt Harvey looks like the fourth best pitcher on his team, as opposed to the dominant force some have anointed him as. While Harvey was able to compile a respectable 3.05 FIP in 2015, it was still only good enough for 17th among qualifying pictures, finishing behind the likes of Carlos Carrasco, Tyson Ross and fellow teammate Jacob deGrom, all of whom aren’t the beneficiary of anywhere close to the amount of publicity Harvey receives.

The Mets must have reservations about exceeding Harvey’s innings limit that was put in place at the beginning of 2015 after he was scheduled to return from Tommy John surgery. They’re probably wondering if by doing so it has attributed to the very turbulent beginning of the season the young righty has gotten off to in 2016.

Next: Trade Packages Worthy of Mike Trout

There are many questions that only time will answer in the case of Harvey. Will he continue to struggle? Is there an underlying health concern affecting him that the public is not aware of yet? The only certainty that exists surrounding the “ace” of the Mets pitching staff is that he has accomplished not nearly enough in his young career to be worthy of the praise he often receives.