Big Hitters in Baseball, Underpaid?
Which hitters were underpaid last season?
Travis Hafner (Indians) - Bronc hit 42 HR's, scored a 100, knocked in 117, with a .439 OBP and a .659 SLG, while being paid only $2.7 million in salary. He was the most productive player in the major leagues last year per at bat. He stats were worth far more money.
Garrett Atkins (Rockies) - probably the best bargain last year in the major leagues. He hit 29 HR's, scored 117 runs and knocked in 120, with a .409 OBP and a .556 SLG, while making just a $335,000 salary. Gee, thanks Rockies for giving him $8,000 over the minimum.
Miguel Cabrera (Marlins) - another real bargain last year. The Fish paid him just $472,000 in salary, while he smacked 26 HR's, scored 112 runs and drove home 114, with a .430 OBP and a .568 SLG. His salary will soon have an extra zero plus on the end.
Justin Morneau (Twins) - Twinkies had a real bargain with him last year, as the AL MVP was paid just $385,000 in salary. He hit 34 HR's, scored 97, had 130 RBI's and SLG .559.
Chase Utley (Phillies) - 131 runs, 32 HR's, 102 RBI's, .527 SLG, all for just $500,000 in salary last year. Deserved far more money for the stats he compiled.
Bill Hall (Brewers) - had one fine year last year, 101 runs, 35 HR's, 85 RBI's, .553 SLG. All for only $418,000 in salary. Deserves a much bigger salary for those stats.
Frank Thomas (A's) - now with Toronto. The Big Hurt put a licking on many teams last year, 77 runs, 39 HR's, 114 RBI's, .381 OBP, .545 SLG, all for just a $500,000 salary. Another Oakland A's bargain player signed by smart GM.
Freddy Sanchez (Pirates) - won a batting title with a .344 average, and also had 85 runs, 85 RBI's, .378 OBP, .473 SLG, and 200 hits, while earning just $342,000 in salary.
Jason Bay (Pirates) - 101 runs, 35 HR's, 102 RBI's, .390 OBP and .532 SLG for a bad team that paid him just a cool $1,000,000 in salary. Stats say he's worth far more money.
Victor J. Martinez (Indians) - one of the best hitting catchers around was paid just a $1,000,000 salary last year. His stats say he deserves a monetary increase, 82 runs, 16 HR's, 93 RBI's, .391 OBP, and .465 SLG.
Michael Cuddyer (Twins) - blossomed last year: 102 runs, 24 HR's, 109 RBI's, .504 SLG, while making $1.3 million. Due for a salary bump.
Mike Piazza (Padres) - was real bargain player last season. The Padres paid him just $1.25 million in salary and he produced some good stats: 22HR's, 68 RBI's, .501 SLG in 399 at bats. First time he slugged over .500 in years, and in a tough park too.
David Ross (Reds) - another catcher who was a real bargain. Ross earned $500,000 in salary, while belting 21 HR's, with a .579 SLG in just 247 at bats.
Juan Rivera (Angels) - 23 HR's, 85 RBI's, .362 OBP and .525 SLG, all for just $1.25 million. If he does that again, deserves salary increase.
David Ortiz (Red Sox) - Big Papi was given a new contract that will pay him an annual salary of around $13 million a year, but was paid just $6.5 million last year. His stats say he was worth much more: 115 runs, 54 HR's, 137 RBI's, .413 OBP and .636 SLG.
Jermaine Dye (White Sox) - played big time for the Sox last year, 103 runs, 44 HR's, 120 RBI's, .622 SLG, while being paid just $5 million in salary.
Jimmy Rollins (Phillies) - had a career year last year, 127 runs scored, 25 HR's, 83 RBI's, 36 SB's, .478 SLG, that makes his $5 million salary look like a bargain for the Phillies.
Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay) - even in an off year, 89 runs, 18 HR's, 77 RBI's, 58 SB's, .482 SLG, his salary of $2.6 million last year looks a bit light.
Gary Matthews (Rangers) - now with the Angels. Not withstanding how he did it, he had a good year last year: 102 runs, 19 HR's, 79 RBI's, .313 batting average, .371 OBP and .495 SLG, that made his $2.4 million salary look like a bargain. If you look at his stats, it's pretty obvious something has changed for him, and steroids is the likely answer.
Michael Young (Rangers) - 93 runs, 14 HR's, 103 RBI's, .314 batting average and .489 SLG for a SS are pretty good stats. He made $3.1 million in salary last year.
Lyle Overbay (Blue Jays) - earned $2.5 million in salary last year, while going: 82 runs, 22 HR's, 92 RBI's, .312 average, .372 OBP, and .508 SLG. Makes his salary a bit of a bargain.
Vernon Wells (Blue Jays) - stats say he deserves a salary bump, which he got this off season. But he made $4.5 million last season while going: 91 runs, 32 HR's, 106 RBI's, .303 average, and .542 SLG.
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8 Comments
Post a CommentFrom your analysis, there seems to be a great discrepancy between payment and performance in baseball. Some of the poorer-performing players get enormous salaries, and these better ones get much less in comparison. Strange...
I have to agree with what Brian is talking about. I don't really consider a player underpaid if he hasn't had enough time to get his first Major League contract yet. But since you aren't taking that into consideration I don't know how in the world you could leave off Jose Reyes for $401,500, i'd say that was the best bargain in baseball last year. David Wright at $374,000 isn't too shabby either.
You're fine Michael. You really don't need to mention that it's relative. It goes without saying. Just makes for an interesting side conversation.
I was shocked at Thomas's salary when I saw your article! There are some really good players here. I know what people are saying about salaries compared with the average person, but you have to compare apples to apples and players to players. Good article.
I'm afraid that I have to agree with Kevin. I can't call anyone in sports, politics, or entertainment in any way, shape, or form underpaid. Great article though.
I'm underpaid. You're underpaid. However, a grown man hitting a ball with a stick playing a game? Definitely not underpaid.
It's funny when we say that people making $1 million per year are underpaid. I can't believe Cabrera only made $500k! He made up for it though. $7.4 million this year. Same with Utley. $4.7 million. I'm seeing a trend. I'll take $300k to play a game I love.
Outside of Frank Thomas, how many of these players have accumulated enough time to be a free agent? Because that's when a player has the chance to make market value for his services. And Thomas was available that cheaply only because he had two injury-plagued seasons prior to 2006.