MLB's Worst, Position-By-Postion

[BuckFoston]

In this space, we've already taken a look at the best players at each position — now it's time to go negative.

Yes, today we're getting down to the unfortunate task of naming the worst player in all of baseball at each offensive position. Of course, even the worst major-league ballplayer is still an elite athlete with skills and talents that most of us can't fathom.

On the other hand, elite or not, some guys simply don't merit an everyday job. On that point, the names you'll see below are at the top of the depth chart at their respective positions, but it's difficult to fathom why. Some would make adequate reserves; others don't belong on a major-league roster at all. Whatever the case, here are the guys who figure to struggle mightily in 2008:

C — Jason Kendall, Brewers

Kendall narrowly edges out Paul Lo Duca for worst catcher. In 2007, Kendall "hit" .242 AVG/.301 OBP/.309 SLG and tallied only 24 extra-base hits in 514 plate appearances. Unless you're a pitcher, those power numbers are patently unacceptable. That's to say nothing of Kendall's poor throwing arm behind the plate. At age 33, he doesn't figure to improve going forward.

1B — Kevin Millar, Orioles

Last season, the 36-year-old Millar hit .254 AVG/.365 OBP/.420 SLG, while the average major-league first baseman hit .276 AVG/.357 OBP/.463 SLG. Millar took his walks, but that's about all he did in 2007. Throw in the fact that he's a liability with the glove and on the bases, and you've got a player who would be best deployed as nothing more than a pinch-hitter against lefties.

2B — Ray Durham, Giants

Durham was a very good player for a long time, and he put up excellent numbers as recently as 2006. Last season, however, he went over the statistical cliff, batting just .218 and getting on base at just a .295 clip. He's now 36, so a significant rebound seems unlikely. Fortunately for him, the miserable Giants don't have any other options.

3B — Rich Aurilia, Giants

Yes, Aurilia, at 36, is currently atop the Giants' pile — and it is a pile — at third base. Last season, Aurilia managed an OBP of barely better than .300, and since he's very much in his decline phase, there's no reason to expect improvement. These days, his bat won't play anywhere, particularly at a power position like third base.

SS — Omar Vizquel, Giants

Seriously, props to the Giants, without whom this column might not have been possible. Anyhow, Vizquel has a credible Hall of Fame case, but at this stage he has no business being a regular at the highest level. Defensively, he still makes the routine plays and the occasional highlight grab, but his range is now well below average. His offense is even worse than that. Vizquel will be 41 years old not long after Opening Day, so it's probably time to consider making graceful exit. On a broader level, it's challenging to impart just how bad the San Francisco offense is going to be in 2008.

FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Position-by-position look at MLB's worst

Haha, 3 Giants are on the list...

[DravenX]

Kotsay is the worse in CF?

[HollywoodLeo]

From their "best" list

Right-handed starter

Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
The right stuff
Brandon Webb Diamondbacks RHP GS IP W-L ERA K 34 236.1 18-10 3.01 194
Here's a tough call. There's plenty of competition for the title of top right-handed starter, but until Josh Beckett proves he can stay healthy and Jake Peavy can show more year-to-year consistency, Webb gets the nod. Webb's been one of the game's best starters over the last four seasons, and his numbers get even better once you take Chase Field, a hitter's haven, into account. Peavy's the clear runner-up, and if he repeats last year's numbers then he'll overtake Webb. In later years, expect a heated battle among Felix Hernandez, Philip Hughes and Clay Buchholz.

ERA leader in 2004 and last year, 1st or 2nd in Ks every year since 2005, triple crown/cy young last year.

How much more consistent does he need to get?

[love_that_reefer]

Having the most K's doesn't mean much. Peavy just needs to log more innings and be more consistent. As for the three Giants, Aurilia and Durham do not have secure spots in the lineup and I really doubt Aurilia is our Opening Day third baseman. Perry didn't do a lot of homework as usual.

[HollywoodLeo]

Having the most K's doesn't mean much. Peavy just needs to log more innings and be more consistent.

Regardless of your opinion on how important strike outs are he's been pretty damn good for 4 years straight now.

Again, how consistent does he need to get?

[love_that_reefer]

He had a 4.09 ERA in 2006 which was above league average. I guess you can call my saying strikeouts aren't important an opinion but its really not. You can strike guys out all day long but if you give up runs and lose ballgames, how important are they?

[browntown653]

Leo, I think they're going by his 2006 season which was a little shaky as a sign of his inconsistency. Whether or not one agrees that is up to you, but that must be what the article is getting at.

[HollywoodLeo]

So because Jake pitches with an injured throwing arm and produces a 4.09 ERA in the middle of 3 other years that are undeniably pretty damn good he "needs to show more consistency"?

[mwizzle83]

On Millar:

While I agree that he shouldn't be anything more than a reserve for most teams, I still think he has value beyond pinch-hitting. While his range as a 1st baseman is not very good, he is not a terrible defensive player. Check how many errors he made last year....pretty sure I can count them on one hand. And he does still get on base. And even if he doesn't, at least he makes pitchers work for the out.

[HollywoodLeo]

In order to argue that Millar shouldn't make his list you have to tell us which starting 1st baseman is worse than he is.

[browntown653]

Calm down, nobody here is suggesting that Peavy has been inconsistent. The facts are that he posted a 4.06 ERA in 2006. Those are the facts and do what you want with them. And mwizzle is simply stating his opinion that Millar has some value, I don't see him arguing anywhere that "Kevin Millar is not the worst first baseman in baseball." So he doesn't have to back that up if he's not saying it. I thought it was a good post actually.

[love_that_reefer]

So because Jake pitches with an injured throwing arm and produces a 4.09 ERA in the middle of 3 other years that are undeniably pretty damn good he "needs to show more consistency"?

He is saying Webb has been better and more consistent. Webb hasn't had an ERA above 3.60.

[Kingdom]

Plus Peavy looked awesome in the postseason.

[HollywoodLeo]

Calm down, nobody here is suggesting that Peavy has been inconsistent. The facts are that he posted a 4.06 ERA in 2006. .

I'll never, for the life of me, understand why people feel the need to tell someone to "calm down" when they express a differing opinion and back it up with arguments.

I couldn't be more calm.

That being said, the guy who wrote the article (don't have time to click the link to find his name) was calling him inconsistent and that was kinda the premise of my complaint.

I wasn't even arguing him calling Webb better than Jake. Webb's an outstanding pitcher and that argument can certainly be made.

I was simply stating that it's kinda a stretch to say Jake "needs to show some more consistency" when he's been consistently good for 4 years now. (When 4.06 is a crap year for you while you're pitching injured I'd say that's pretty impressive)

[love_that_reefer]

Injured or not it wasn't a good year and doesn't show consistency. He still logged 200 innings so his arm wasn't that bad all year. Webb is more consistent no if's, and's or but's about it.