How to waste $200mn…

The 2005 New York Yankees, ousted in round 1 of the playoffs

1. Alex Rodriguez 25,705,118
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· "Alex Rodriguez's most significant play of this AL division series may be remembered as one he didn't make with his glove. Rodriguez, whose fielding error led to the tying run for the Angels in their Game 2 victory, certainly didn't leave much of an impression with his bat. He was hitless in Monday night's 5-3 loss that sent the Yankees home for the year, and finished the five-game series with no RBI and a .133 batting average."
· Teams that have A-Rod on staff don’t seem to do well. He’s never won a thing – isn’t it time to give up the “best player in baseball” title?

2. Derek Jeter 19,600,000
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· Really can’t say anything bad about this guy (other than the fact that he’s a Yankee). Solid, consistent, and a big-game performer.

3. Mike Mussina 19,000,000
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· Regular Season: 13-8, 4.41 ERA
· Postseason: 1-1, 5.40 ERA
· Um, $19mn for mediocrity? Slightly overpaid, I’d say J

4. Kevin Brown 15,714,286
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· Regular Season: 4-7, 6.50 ERA (13 games)
· Let’s see, almost as many DL stints as wins. Paid more than $1mn per start…

5. Randy Johnson 15,419,815
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· Regular Season: 17-8, 3.79 ERA
· Postseason: no decisions, 7.1IP in two games, 5 ER. 6.14 ERA

6. Jason Giambi 13,428,571
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· Despite a horrendous start, ended up with nice offensive numbers and played well in the postseason. A pretty expensive DH option, though, and absolutely horrendous defensively.

7. Bernie Williams 12,357,143
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· Definitely one of the most overpaid guys and has probably played his last game for the Yanks. With a .249 BA and 12 HRs in the regular season, the Yanks may just throw that money toward Johnny Damon. Bernie hit just .211 in the postseason, and Torre’s loyalty to Bernie cost the team.

8. Gary Sheffield 11,496,689
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· a.k.a. “Mouthpiece.” He’s marginal at defense, although he does have a cannon for an arm. He’s slowed down a bit and doesn’t quite have the range and speed he once had, but he’s decent, and far from the worst payroll mistake the Yanks made, especially considering that Bernie Williams made more $$$ than Gary.

9. Jorge Posada 11,000,000
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· Considering that Jason Varitek has improved steadily as Posada is no longer considered an elite catcher, and that Vtek makes $3mn less than Posada, it’s clear that Posada should be sending his agent a bonus.

10. Mariano Rivera 10,500,000
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· Stud

11. Carl Pavano 9,000,000
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· 17 games. 4-6 record. 4.77 ERA. ‘nuff said.

12. Hideki Matsui 8,000,000
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· Decent bat, average fielder.

13. Al Leiter 7,241,931
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· I’m assuming the Yanks didn’t have to pick up that much of his contract. With an ERA of 6.13 overall this season and an ERA of 10.13 in September, they overpaid – even if it was a 6-pack of Coors Light…