2006 American League Non-Stars
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by user Justin Yost (JuTMSY4)
You want lists? I’ve got lists. With the typical fanfare of people crying snub or pointing to Mark Redman and cursing his name (I’m sure Royals fans are joining us in similar fashion), I think its about time to come up with the list of non-all-stars or those so unworthy of a spot in the mid-summer classic that they should probably quit baseball all together. Now, to be fair, I’m not simply selecting the worst player statistically, but players that may have been good at one point or didn’t pan out or just hurt as much as they help. I’m sure you can add tons of players to my list, but I’m going to take the first crack and I hope it at least provides some more banter:
For the record, I’ve been working on this days before the release of that Page Two Article and yes I’m pissed that my idea was stolen. I’m sure that was in the works for a few days as well, but still, I had no idea. Regardless, lets have some fun.
American League Non-Star Squad
Catcher
Jason Varitek
"Upper-Deck-Tek" has been less than stellar this season and almost made the all-star team. His .244 average and .328 OBP are way below what he typically produces and well below what is expected. His power numbers, while decent for a catcher are also not very tekian, 8 homers 39 RBIs. Fortunetly for Varitek, his fielding has been decent and, like they say for all poor offensive catchers, he calls a good game. Honestly though, Schilling has been solid and Beckett seems to at least be a good number two. Hey, if you're leading the AL east, pitching must have something to do with it and so does catching. Not to mention Tek's ability to stop base-stealers, his been near the top this year.
First Base
Mark Teixeira
It’s a tight race, with competitors namely consisting of Doug Mientkiewicz and Dan Johnson, but the nod goes to Mark Teixeira whose lackluster job hasn’t really held back the Texas Rangers who, while relinquishing the top spot in the AL West are still hanging around. Tex’s less than effective power numbers (8 HRs, 45 RBIs, .433 Slugging) make him seem like a major bust this year after so many solid outings, but his .268 average has got to be killing the rangers who desperately need his bat in the lineup with the kind of starting pitching they send out there.
Second Base
Adam Kennedy
And you wonder why the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are struggling? Kennedy was never a power guy, but his 2 homers and 29 RBIs look even less valuable next to his .257 average and .315 OBP. This wasn’t even close, however Mark Grudzielanek does come in a strong second. Grudz misses the nod because the Royals were so awful to begin with that he’s actually one of their better players.
Shortstop
Alex Gonzalez
I know, I saw him start to heat up over the past week or so and yes Angel Berroa still plays in the league, but Gonzalez has been terrible. In a lineup that obviously gets him pitches, Gonzo has a .239 average and a .262 OBP (no, that’s right!). Oh and the bat power isn’t there either, as he checks in with 4 home runs and 24 RBIs. By comprison, Edgar Renteria batted .276 with 8 homers and 70 RBIs over last season, which equates to 4 homers and 35 RBIs at around the same point and still have a .335 OBP, which goes to show how much Gonzales has truly sucked.
Third Base
Aaron Boone
I had a bit of trouble with this choice. Chone Figgins also checked in with an awful year (.253, 4 homers, 26 RBIs, .323 OBP). Aaron Boone was worse with a .252 Average and a .314 OBP along with his 3 homers and 30 RBIs, but I also looked at Eric Chavez because if it weren’t for the help of players like Nick Swisher the Oakland As would be in a bit of trouble. Sure Chavez has 14 homers and 46 RBIs but his .246 average and .359 OBP look pedestrian if not just plain bad (Ok .359 isn’t that bad, but you get the idea).
Outfield
Brad Wilkerson, Bernie Williams & Craig Monroe
I was tempted to add Jay Payton the list, but he just wasn’t that good to begin with. Others close to making the cut (or not?!) included Mark Kotsay, Garret Anderson and anyone wearing a Royals uniform. Wilkerson, while providing 13 homers in the Arlington uni, has only driven in 33 runs and is currently batting .241 with a .339 OBP. For a trade that included Alfonso Soriano, I wonder who made out better. Williams is batting a respectable .275 but its meaningless when you see is .313 OBP, 4 homers and 34 RBIs, really bad when you look at his lineup and his responsibility with all those injuries. Finally Monroe checks in with a cool .241 average, .275 OBP but redeems himself, sort of, with his 11 homers and 39 RBIs. Someone explain to me how the Tigers use this guy. As long as it works. Bottom line is, there were numerous poor outfielders, but I feel as though these guys just haven’t lit it up at all and could have.
Starting Pitching
Jon Garland, Rodrigo Lopez, Jeff Weaver, Felix Hernandez, Freddy Garcia & Randy Johnson
Garland and Garcia make the grade as semi-no-brainers. Both on are a very good team in every aspect of the game and benefit from a great lineup and pick-me-up bullpen. While they both have winning records, both have ERAs above 4.5 (Garland’s is 5.6!). Lopez, even with Leo Mazzone, has been worthless this year with an ERA close to 7 and even with a nice lineup to support him has only gotten 5 wins in 18 starts, however to his credit, the Os have only lost 4 games by 4 or more runs when Lopez starts. Weaver has not helped the Angels, especially with the way they’ve been struggling this year. He seems to get shelled about twice a month, and that explains his high ERA, but his ability to hang in games into the 5th inning or higher has been questionable at best. Hernandez makes the list because he was so heralded coming in and has been perhaps a slightly above average pitcher in a pitchers park. Maybe I’m being a little unfair to F-Her (8-8 4.95 ERA), but with guys like Francisco Liriano playing so well now, you have to wonder what’s wrong inside his head. Finally, Randy Johnson comes in as the 6th guy. Johnson has struggled most of the year and while he seems to be getting it back together now. While Johnson has gotten some wins (7-5), his ERA is north of 5 and he is another pitcher benefiting from a good lineup, regardless of injuries. The suggestion that he started the season hurt strike me well though.
Relief
Todd Jones, Bob Wickman & Francisco Cordero
Jones, while close to the top of the league with 22 saves, also has a 6 ERA meaning that he tends to give up a lot of runs when he blows a save. I’m not saying he’s bad, but I question whether or not I’d want him in October. Wickman just hasn’t helped the Indians all year. While only sporting a 4.5 ERA, he’s blown quite a few as well and just is not the same guy he was last year. Both of these closers are getting on in their years so this type of trend isn’t entirely surprising. Finally, Cordero has been the AL’s answer to Brad Lidge. After blowing a few saves, Cordero was relegated to the set-up role in favor of Akinori Otsuka, who has been stellar. Now Cordero is coming back, now sporting a 3.06 ERA, but some question if his head is truly back in the game. This guy could end up being a 2nd half all-star, then again…
That’s the AL Lineup. Come back tomorrow to see the NL lineup, which I’m sure will be much worse. I’m already salivating for Adam Dunn’s .220 average along with his more home runs than singles!
Date
Wed 07/05/06, 9:52 am EST
