2007 MWP Awards

So I was browsing baseball-reference.com today, and I was marveling at the stats of some long time major leaguers. I was looking at guys like Kevin Millar, Mike Lieberthal, Damion Easley, Raul Ibanez. They're among the "active leaders" in home-runs, each well over 100, and they're going to be featured in the late 2080's version of the late 1980's Pacific Greats. Just a thought. But this got me to thinking. These players were extremely valuable throughout their career. Never amazing, but always useful, always valuable. Who, then, would be their worthless counterparts? Thus, the first (possibly annual) Most Worthless Player Awards. These are based mostly on 2007 performance, but also just on general worthlessness. Also, no glass-bodied guys will be included (no matter how much I am tempted to include Carl Pavano. Dictionary.com's definition of worthless includes the entry "14. Something like Carl Pavano. Piece of shit."), though some of them were on the DL at some time during the season. Here goes.

C-You could argue that any of 3 current and former Reds catchers deserves this spot (David Ross, Javier Valentin, Jason LaRue) and I'm giving it to LaRue. I know, he was injured, but Holy God, he was awful. My felt my muscles atrophy while watching him. And I'm a huge fan too. Great signer, IP and TTM, and a nice guy. I watched him leg out his first triple in person. He was possibly faster than Gabby Hartnett, but my honest guess is that he was not.

1B-This is easy. Richie Sexson. I lol'd.

2B-In the position of the scrub, I nominate this scrub, my surprise pick. Dustin Pedroia. He was perhaps the most massively overrated player that I have ever witnessed. Even Jacoby Ellsbury and his Tyner-esque power can't match his ludicrous hype. Congrats Dustin! You're Marty Barrett! You suck! No stats will be given here as he was theoretically good, but damn, I hate you Pedroia. Seriously though, Ray Durham gets this. Worst starter in baseball last year without a doubt. .218 BA and limited range. I believe he had the lowest BA of any player with 400+ AB's. Barely at that Mendoza Line. At best a backup DH to finish his career.

SS- I've always sort of liked Juan Uribe, the short chubby guy who made himself into a solid power hitting middle infielder. But wow. He's a bad defender, obviously doesn't work out in the offseason, and swings at everything. Plus he has no speed. Not to mention he joined the Stephen Jackson club a few years back, supposedly shooting at someone in the DR.

3B-Wes Helms. 5 hr's for a guy signed for his decent power stroke. Sucks.

OF-Andruw Jones. Do I have to explain this one? I'll give him this. He is probably the fleetest obese person in the world. At the Obesity Olympics, Andruw Jones wins the 100 meter dash. But, the fact remains that he actually is obese. And playing CF. Really, really shallow. And hitting .222. With an obp of .311. So yes. He wins not only the OF position, but the MWP award of 2007.