One of my favorite things that SportsCenter has done over the past 5 years is the advent of the Not Top 10. It’s absolutely fantastic how an hour long show spends 55 minutes showing the freaks of nature do things that normal humans cannot and then for 5 minutes, viewers are reminded that these guys and gals are merely human and that they very well could one day be Uncle LeBron at the Memorial Day family reunion (it’s a stretch, but think about Uncle Clayton Kershaw, who isn’t all that imposing at 6’4). As fun as it is to write about the ridiculousness that is the early season success of Matt Kemp and Josh Hamilton, who appear to be in need of a promotion nearly as badly as Mike Trout, I want to use up my Not Top 10 sportswriting time to talk about the three worst players in the Majors; the guys I think I may be better than, and who may be better served as that drunk uncle at the July 4th family reunion this summer than on a Major League roster.
1. Mark Kotsay, Pinch Hitter, San Diego Padres. When Mark Kotsay was on the Atlanta Braves 4 years ago, I liked him as a one year rental in center field until our prospects were ready. Then, when I saw him play, I realized his bat was slow, his feet were slower, and that he was 4 years removed from being anything worthwhile. We traded him to Boston, where I assumed he would finish out his career. He played in 22 games for the Sox that year. After posting a .329 on base for Boston/Atlanta, and a .279 on base the year before in Oakland, Mark Kotsay somehow got the Red Sox to give him a job again. After posting a .291 on base for Boston through 27 games, they shipped him to the White Sox. He actually did fairly well for the White Sox and managed to have an on base percentage over .300 (don’t worry though Mark only had 10 extra base hits). Here’s where it gets good: Kotsay somehow convinced the White Sox that he still had something in the tank so they sign him for $1.5 million to hit .239 and stumble around two triples (God must love this guy, I’m at a loss). Then the Brewers sign him for $800,000 and yes, I know it’s getting silly. He posts a .329 on base before somehow convinces the Padres to sign him for $1.25 million this year. I’m impressed with how bad Kotsay can be for so long while maintaining his job. Consider: For the last 6 years Kotsay has had a negative WAR (which means his respective teams are better off having a minor leaguer on the roster). How do you keep a job while being so so bad at it? Whoever Mark Kotsay’s agents are (A) need to pat themselves on the back (B) need to take over the title of either sleeziest agent alive or best agent alive. Mark Kotsay may well be the worst player in the Big Leagues right now.
2. Ronny Cedeno, INF, NY Mets: Want to know a fun fact about Ronny Cedeno? He has a career .287 on base percentage. Another fun stat? Teams that Ronny Cedono finishes the year on the roster average 89 losses a year. He’s very simply detrimental to a team in that he can’t hit and he can’t field. He’s actually slightly above average in the field, but that the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners are the ones who gave him a job does not bode well.
3. Jeff Mathis, C, Toronto Blue Jays: The worst active player in terms of OPS+, minimum 1000 plate appearances, is Livan Hernandez (who was seriously considered for this final spot due to his pitching futility). Second on the list is Jeff Mathis. It’s very clear that Mathis brings something to the table or he wouldn’t be able to stick in the Majors for so long. Mathis’ saving grace for his career .196 batting average is supposedly his defense. Mathis sports a career dWAR (defensive Wins above Replacement) that is negative. He’s not good.
-Sean Morash
