Major League Bargain All-Stars

The following nine players are making their respective GMs look like geniuses

June 15, 2007

By Mike Halford and Jason Brough
Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

Over the years, Major League Baseball clubs have passed out more bad contracts than the mob. From A-Rod's $252 million to the Mike Hampton experience (it's taken three franchises - Colorado, Florida and Atlanta - to pay him out), these regrettable remunerations sunk salary caps, terminated team morale and wiped out World Series aspirations.

This season, the Seattle Mariners are paying Richie Sexon $15.5 million to hit .196. Oakland is shelling out $13.43 for Jason Kendall to hover around (.219) the Mendoza line. These bloated contracts beg the question: are there any good bargains out there?

Ask a question and we'll usually give you an answer. On occasion, it'll even be thorough and well-informed. Such is the case with our Major Leage Bargain All-Star team. This roster cost us a grand total of $4,330,667 - and not a single guy makes seven digits. Something to think about as MLB All-Star voting continues.

Pitcher – Chris Young
(San Diego Padres, $600,000)

He was a two-sport star at Princeton – baseball and basketball. Standing 6-10, Chris Young (6-3, 2.34 ERA) is as tall as Randy Johnson and has a game to match. Since May 1, Young has allowed just eight earned runs in 53.2 innings of work.

On June 5, Young threw seven shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing just three singles and walking four in a 1-0 Padres victory. On any other team, he’s the ace. On San Diego – home to Jake Peavy (8-1, 1.82 ERA) and Trevor Hoffman (18 saves), not to mention veterans David Wells and Greg Maddux – Young is free to develop outside the spotlight.

C – Russell Martin
(Los Angeles Dodgers, $387,500)

One number jumps off the page – the 210-pound backstop is second on the team with 11 stolen bases, good for 11th best in the National League.

Originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 17th round in 2002, Russell Martin (.291, 7 HR, 41 RBI) made the switch from third base to backstop with relative ease.

Martin quickly honed his skills and tore through the Dodgers farm system, eventually replacing Dioner Navarro (traded to Tampa Bay) as L.A.'s starting catcher.

Leading all NL catchers in runs, RBI and total bases, Martin sits atop All-Star voting ahead of celebrated catchers like Paul Lo Duca and Brian McCann.

1B – Kevin Youkilis
(Boston Red Sox, $424,500)

David Ortiz is the runaway leader in balloting for AL first basemen, but shouldn’t the spot go to a guy who actually plays the position?

Ortiz is listed at first base because the game is in San Francisco and there’s no designated hitter. Meanwhile, teammate Kevin Youkilis, who actually owns a glove, is having a career year hitting .335 with 8 HR and 33 RBI.

Drafted 243rd overall in 2001 and making less than half-a-million per season, Youkilis is the definition of value. He was even mentioned in Michael Lewis’s 2003 book, Moneyball, as a player Oakland general manager Billy Beane repeatedly tried to acquire.

2B – Kelly Johnson
(Atlanta Braves, $388,000)

Philadelphia’s Chase Utley deserves this spot and he’ll probably get it, but Utley makes almost $5 million; Kelly Johnson doesn’t. Not even close.

After debuting for the Braves in 2005, Johnson missed the entire 2006 season after elbow surgery. His return to play has been a huge success.

Batting in the leadoff position, Johnson (.283, 8 HR, 35 RBI) ranks fifth in the NL in runs (45) and sixth in walks (40).

SS – Hanley Ramirez
(Florida Marlins, $402,000)

There will be no sophomore jinx for Hanley Ramirez (.323, 8 HR, 20 RBI).

The 2006 NL Rookie of the Year made sure of that on opening day, going 4-for-6 against the Washington Nationals. After a chilly May in which he hit just .279, Ramirez has rediscovered his hitting stroke.

On June 8 against Tampa Bay, he went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Ramirez ranks first in the NL in runs (57) and second in stolen bases (22).

3B – Ryan Zimmerman
(Washington Nationals, $400,000)

Drafted fourth overall in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman (.250, 10 HR, 38 RBI) won’t be a bargain for long, especially at one of the highest-paid positions in baseball.

The University of Virginia product is often compared to Mike Schmidt, Scott Rolen and Brooks Robinson by general manager Jim Bowden. High praise, but that’s what happens when you knock in 110 runs with 20 homers in your rookie season.

In fact, Zimmerman lost out to the aforementioned Ramirez by a mere four votes for the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year. Now they're All-Bargain teammates.

OF – Grady Sizemore
(Cleveland Indians, $916,667)

This Sports Illustrated cover boy is making $13 million less than Bust-on Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew.

For Grady, Size does mean More; at 6-2, 200 lbs, he displays the hitting prowess you’d expect (.287, 11 HR, 32 RBI) from a big man, but his 19 stolen bases and range in center field resemble those of a little guy.

Keep in mind he’s doing all this batting leadoff – when Cleveland’s injury woes end he’ll likely drop to the No. 3 spot, where he’ll be protected by Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner. Look for his RBI numbers to rise.

OF – Curtis Granderson
(Detroit Tigers, $410,000)

Given how often his highlight-reel catches appear on Sportscenter, Curis Granderson should start collecting television royalties to supplement his income.

Like Sizemore, Granderson is a multi-tooled star; he can hit for average (.286) and has some pop (8 HR, 35 RBI).  He ranks 5th in the AL in slugging percentage and has committed three errors in 268 career games.

Granderson had the longest errorless streak (204 games) to start a position player's career since Dave Roberts went 205 games from 1999-2003.

A little money can’t buy happiness, but it got the Tigers one helluva centerfielder.

OF – Willy Taveras
(Colorado Rockies, $402,000)

This speedster from the Dominican Republic has emerged as one of the most valuable assets on a surprisingly competitive Colorado team.

Ranked fifth in the National League in stolen bases with 15, Willy Taveras has proven a solid leadoff hitter with a .310 average and .358 on-base percentage. After bursting onto the scene last year with a 30-game hitting streak, Colorado jumped at the opportunity to land the 26-year-old in December’s Jason Jennings trade.

Talk about value – Jennings and his $5.5 million contract have been shelved for most of the year as the big righty has struggled with right elbow flexor tendonitis.

TOP PHOTO: San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Young tips his cap to the crowd after another successful outing. (AP Images)