Meet the 2009 Andruw Jones All-Stars

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.

This coming weekend, Major League Baseball will reveal its 2009 All-Star teams. So what better opportunity than this to run through a list of this season's "Anti-All-Stars." Anti-All-Stars is far too bland a name, though, so we decided to name the team in honor of Andruw Jones. After all, he was the poster child for guys not earning the lucrative contracts bestowed on them last season. We'll sort through each position and find the player who is least helping his team in comparison to expectations -- whether monetary or from management.

Note: Guys like Brandon Webb and Josh Hamilton who aren't helping due to major injuries will be excluded. If a player has suffered a minor injury, but still been playing pretty terribly -- like our center fielder -- he'll still be included. The ultimate judge of the difference (which may seem a bit arbitrary at times) and who gets picked or ignored is me (hey, it's my column). Also, please realize this isn't a list of the worst players in the league. These are guys who are most drastically falling short of expectations. Obviously Russell Martin is still better than Henry Blanco, but we weren't exactly expecting an All-Star campaign from Blanco.

2009 Andruw Jones All-Stars

Catcher - Russell Martin, Dodgers. His slugging percentage is below .300, which is straight up abysmal for anyone who can hit major league pitching. And Martin has shown he can in the past. The Dodgers are surviving offensively in spite of him, but he's been akin to an albatross. Also 'Druw-like: Geovany Soto, Cubs.

First Base - Jason Giambi, A's. This isn't quite the homecoming the A's were hoping for. The Giambino hit 32 home runs and drove home 96 last season. He currently sits with 11 and 40 in those categories in more than half the plate appearances he had last year. The .199 batting average and .378 slugging almost make him unstartable, only they don't have many better options. Also 'Druw-like: Chris Davis, Rangers (love the power, hate everything else -- especially the ugly-as-sin 110:17 K:BB)

Second Base - Howie Kendrick, Angels. I keep hearing about this batting title he's going to win from the spreadsheet squad (which isn't overly ridiculous, considering his numbers, when healthy, heading into 2009). When you don't have power and aren't an elite base-stealer or defender, you better hit for average. Kendrick was handed the job out of spring training and hit just .231 through 51 games before being demoted to the minors. Also 'Druw-like: Kelly Johnson, Braves

Shortstop - Jimmy Rollins, Phillies. Do I really need to elaborate? The 2007 MVP is almost 200 points below his career OPS. He's actually a detriment to the lineup at present. Also 'Druw-like: Rafael Furcal, Dodgers; J.J. Hardy, Brewers (though he's been heating up of late)

Third Base - Garrett Atkins, Rockies. He's starting to hit better lately after temporarily losing his starting job to Ian Stewart. Still, what a rough 2009 compared to the track record Atkins has established. From 2006-2008, Atkins averaged 25 home runs, 110 RBI and a .304 batting average. There's a lot more work to be done before the awful .636 OPS this season is repaired. Also 'Druw-like: Mike Fontenot, Cubs (honestly, I can't tell you some of things I've said about him recently; this is a family site, after all)

Left Field - Manny Ramirez, Dodgers. Sorry, Manny apologists (translation: Dodgers fans). When someone gets himself suspended for 50 games due to selfish stupidity, he becomes one of the least valuable players in baseball to this point. He's still going to make a large chunk of money this season, and he let his teammates down with a violation of the league's banned substance policy. The fact that the team did great without him isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of his value, either. He's a no-brainer here. Also 'Druw-like: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs; Matt Holliday, A's

Center Field - Grady Sizemore, Indians. Yes, he's been hurt. He's also been awful at getting on base, been caught stealing 50 percent of the time and his slugging percentage and batting average are way down despite his home run rate remaining relatively similar. It appears he's just swinging for the fences and not worrying about much else. Personally, I'm a big fan of Sizemore from afar, so I hope this is just a temporary setback. Also 'Druw-like: Vernon Wells, Blue Jays; Chris Young, Diamondbacks; Carlos Gomez, Twins; Willy Taveras, Reds

Right Field - Milton Bradley, Cubs. No real explanation needed. As much as I want to defend Bradley (check out the inaugural BaseCast for more Cubs discussion, particularly Bradley and Carlos Zambrano), this signing has been nothing short of a disaster. With my admittedly rose-colored glasses on, though, I'm hoping things turn around. We still aren't quite at the halfway point in the season. Also 'Druw-like: Brian Giles, Padres

Designated Hitter - Pat Burrell, Rays. Pat the Bat is notorious for extended hot and cold streaks, so the Rays' payoff should be coming in the second half of the season. Still, this signing has yielded absolutely nothing thus far. They loosened their purse strings for a .224 average, three homers and 23 RBI through July 1? They might never sign a free agent again. Also 'Druw-like: David Ortiz, Red Sox (though he's been heating up of late)

Starting Pitcher - Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox. There is no one in baseball who has undergone such a drastic transformation. From 18-3 to 1-5. From 2.90 to 8.23 (ERA). His hits allowed per nine innings has gone from 6.9 (which was best in the majors) to 15.2 (which is, frankly, embarrassing). He allowed 12 home runs all season in 2008 (167 2/3 innings) and he's given up 8 in just 35 innings in 2009. I could go on, but nothing else needs to be said. This season has been nothing short of catastrophic for Dice-K. Also 'Druw-like: Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees; Cole Hamels, Phillies; Fausto Carmona, Indians; Manny Parra, Brewers; Francisco Liriano, Twins; Ricky Nolasco, Marlins (though he's been good since returning from the minors).

Setup Man - Scot Shields, Angels. A career ERA of 3.03 shows what kind of a reliever Shields has been. He's been consistent, too, because his worst figure was 3.86. Well, this season it was 6.62 through 20 outings before he went on the disabled list. His career K:BB rate is 2.43, but this season he walked more than he struck out. At 33, it shouldn't be an age thing, so he may get things straightened out when he comes back. Still, awful first half. Also 'Druw-like: Carlos Marmol, Cubs (the stuff is there, but the command has been downright dreadful at times); Jose Arredondo, Angels

Closer - Brad Lidge, Phillies. In 2008, Lidge recorded the last out of the World Series as a champion. He successfully closed all 41 regular season save chances and ended with a 1.95 ERA. In 2009, Lidge has blown six saves in 20 chances and sports an obscenely bad 7.57 ERA. He's giving up hits more often, giving up more home runs, walking more guys and striking out less. Basically everything is worse. Also 'Druw-like: Kerry Wood, Indians