First Half Duds

C- Jason Varitek

You’re breaking my balls here, Tek. It’s painful to see a former silver slugger collapse under the pressure of a 10 million dollar contract. V-tek is batting a lowly .220 with 7 homers and 28 RBI’s. He is also in the midst of a Julio Lugo like slump, just 8 hits in his last 74 at bats. I was wrong about this one, but no matter what happens, don’t count out Tek come October.

1B- Miguel Cabrera

Not a giant disappointment, but a disappointment nonetheless. After batting .320 last year, Cabrera is only batting .289 in his first full season against AL pitching. He is going to need to have a tremendous second half if he plans on honoring his power numbers from last season (34 HR, 119 RBI, .565 SLG%), Cabrera would need to more then double his homeruns and RBIs in the latter half of the season.

2B- Robinson Cano

Inked a big money contract in the off-season and has backed it up by hitting .253 with 6 homers. Cano has walked only 14 times this season, which is part of the reason he has a sub .300 OBP.

3B- Adrian Beltre

Another year of mediocrity for Adrian Beltre. After hitting 48 homeruns and knocking 121 RBI’s in 2004, Beltre has yet to hit 30 homers nor has he reached the century mark in RBI’s. He is being paid a lot of money to play at an average level. Beltre is only hitting a shade above .250 this season.

SS- Edgar Renteria

Dear Edgar Renteria, stay out of the American League. The pitching is too good, and you suck every time you make the switch from 1-AA (National League) to the 1-A (American League). Stick with the Braves or Cardinals and you’ll have a much better career. Oh, and tell your wife Manny says “Yo”, Thanks. Brian.

OF- Gary Sheffield

After belting 25 homeruns last season, the Tigers had high hopes for Sheffield in their power heavy lineup. What they ended up getting was 5 homeruns a .226 batting average, and a stint on the disabled list.

OF- Chris Young

Young had an impressive rookie campaign, he hit 32 homeruns and stole 27 bases in 145 games. He has stolen just 5 bases this season, mainly because he can not get on base. Young is batting just .231 through the first half.

OF- Justin Upton

The alleged “5-tool sensation” who drew comparisons to Ken Griffey Junior, is batting a weak .242. Upton has struck out 97 times this season and has been held without a hit in 37 of 89 games. Although Upton has tremendous upside, he has been confused and frustrated at the dish this season.

SP- Barry Zito

What more needs to be said. This guy is not fooling anyone. Brian Sabean should be beheaded for this signing.

SP- Justin Verlander

Has a heater that flirts with 100 mph and excellent mechanics. After going 18-6 last season, the 25 year old Verlander is just 6-9 with an 88:49 K to BB ratio. Verlander has recorded a shutdown in each of his two full seasons in the MLB.

SP- Dontrelle Willis

Rookie of the Year to getting lit up in Single-A. The Marlins are laughing to themselves about this trade. The Tigers are in fourth place while the Marlins are just 3 ½ games out of the NL east.

SP- Eric Bedard

I didn’t want to go overboard on the starting pitchers, but this guy sucks. A terrible off-season signing for Seattle, Felix and Bedard were supposed to settle at the top of the west. The reality of the matter is the Mariners are the worst team in baseball.

RP- Brett Myers

A lights out closer last year, Myers, has been banished to Triple-A to regain his confidence. His ERA his flying just south of 6, in 101 innings Myers has allowed 66 earned runs.

CP- Trevor Hoffman

I hate to hassle the Hoff but in 28 innings this season Hoffman has allowed 16 earned runs. He has a 5.14 ERA and only 16 saves.