Not every MLB player lives up to his salary.
Whether it's a high-priced free-agent signing falling short of expectations, an arbitration-eligible player who is failing to match his previous success, or a small-market team failing to get maximum value out of one of its highest-paid players, every MLB payroll has at least one player not earning his salary.
Ahead, we've highlighted each MLB team's worst bang-for-your-buck player in 2022, including a look at what percentage of the team's total payroll their salary accounts for and a few (dis)honorable mentions for each club as well.
It's important to note, since players still get paid while they are on the injured list, an injury is not a free pass to get out of being considered a team's worst bang-for-your-buck player.
Off we go.
Arizona Diamondbacks: SP Jordan Montgomery
2024 Salary: $25 million (14.3% of 2024 payroll)
With a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts after he was traded to the Texas Rangers at the deadline, Jordan Montgomery was as impactful as any 2023 midseason pickup, and he continued to impress with a 2.90 ERA over 31 innings in the postseason to help capture a World Series title.
However, the 31-year-old ended up settling for a one-year, $25 million deal from the D-backs just a few days before Opening Day after agent Scott Boras badly mismanaged his free agency.
"Obviously Boras kind of butchered it, so I'm just trying to move on from the offseason and try to forget it," Montgomery told reporters in August.
After struggling to a 6.44 ERA over 19 starts, he was demoted to the bullpen at the end of August, making him one of baseball's most expensive long relievers. He has a $20 million player option for 2025 that he will now almost certainly exercise.
Also considered: Eduardo Rodriguez ($14 million)
