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)

Atlanta Braves: OF Ronald Acuña Jr.

2024 Salary: $17 million (7.2% of payroll)

The encore performance to Ronald Acuña Jr.'s 2023 NL MVP campaign lasted just 49 games before he suffered the second torn ACL of his young career and saw his season abruptly end on June 5.

The question now becomes whether he can return to the level of explosiveness he showed during a record-setting 41-homer, 73-steal season following a second major knee surgery before his 27th birthday. It took him a while to shake off the rust last time he returned to the field with lackluster numbers across the board in 2022 before his MVP campaign last year.

The Braves owe him $17 million each in 2025 and 2026, with matching $17 million club options for 2027 and 2028.

Also considered: C Sean Murphy ($9 million), IF/SP David Fletcher ($6 million)

Baltimore Orioles: RP Craig Kimbrel

2024 Salary: $12 million (11.1% of payroll)

With All-Star closer Félix Bautista out for the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Orioles signed veteran Craig Kimbrel to a one-year, $12 million deal that includes a 2025 club option to fill the void at the back of the bullpen.

It marked the fifth team in four years for the potential future Hall of Famer, though he pitched extremely well for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023 with a 3.26 ERA, 12.3 K/9 and 23 saves in 28 chances to earn his ninth career All-Star selection.

The 36-year-old has not been bad this year, but with six blown saves and a 4.07 ERA in 53 appearances, he has been far from a lockdown option in the ninth inning. His inconsistency is a big reason why the team flipped outfielder Austin Hays for reliever Seranthony Domínguez at the trade deadline.

Also considered: C James McCann ($4 million), SP John Means ($3.3 million)

Boston Red Sox: SS Trevor Story

2024 Salary: $22.5 million (11.9% of payroll)

Three years into his six-year, $140 million contract, shortstop Trevor Story has played a grand total of 145 games for the Boston Red Sox.

That includes only eight games this year before he was sidelined with a shoulder injury that required major surgery, and to this point, the Red Sox have paid roughly $59.2 million for 3.5 WAR worth of production.

The 31-year-old began a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Sept. 1 as he looks to make it back before the end of the regular season.

Also considered: SP Lucas Giolito ($18 million)

Chicago Cubs: SP Kyle Hendricks

2024 Salary: $16.5 million (7.2% payroll)

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks will forever be a Chicago Cubs legend thanks to his contributions to the team's 2016 World Series winner, which included a third-place finish in NL Cy Young voting during the regular season and the Game 7 start in the Fall Classic.

The 34-year-old was still pitching at a high level last season when he posted a 3.74 ERA in 137 innings, and the club made a relatively easy decision to exercise his $16.5 million club option for 2024 as a result.

However, this season has not gone well. Hendricks has labored to a 6.75 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 102.2 innings while allowing a .302 opponents' batting average, and he has been bounced between the rotation and bullpen as a result.

With free agency looming, he could be headed for retirement.

Also considered: 1B/OF Cody Bellinger ($27.5 million), SS Dansby Swanson ($26 million), RP Héctor Neris ($9 million), C Yan Gomes ($6 million), IF David Bote ($5.5 million)

Chicago White Sox: OF Andrew Benintendi

2024 Salary: $17.1 million (12.8% of payroll)

The Chicago White Sox paid for a career year when they signed Andrew Benintendi to a five-year, $75 million deal on the heels of his first career All-Star selection in 2022 when he posted a 120 OPS+ and tallied 3.1 WAR in 126 games.

The first season of that contract was lackluster at best, as he hit a punchless .262/.326/.356 for an 88 OPS+ in 151 games while checking in just above league-average value with 0.2 WAR overall.

Things have bottomed out this year as he is batting .218/.279/.375 in 438 plate appearances and has been one of baseball's least value players with minus-1.4 WAR in 115 games.

Also considered: 3B Yoán Moncada ($24.8 million), OF Luis Robert Jr. ($12.5 million), DH Eloy Jiménez ($12 million)

Cincinnati Reds: 1B/3B Jeimer Candelario

2024 Salary: $15 million (15.0% of payroll)

After getting non-tendered following a poor 2022 season, Jeimer Candelario rebuilt his stock playing on a one-year contract, posting a 121 OPS+ with 39 doubles, 22 home runs, 70 RBI and 2.9 WAR in 2023 before another trip to free agency.

The Reds inked him to a three-year, $45 million deal in December, making him the highest-paid player on the team in the post-Joey Votto era.

However, the 30-year-old has a 92 OPS+ with 23 doubles, 20 home runs, 56 RBI and minus-0.5 WAR in 112 games, which is a far cry from the production expected from a team's most expensive player.

Also considered: RP Emilio Pagán ($8 million)

Cleveland Guardians: SP Shane Bieber

2024 Salary: $13.1 million (12.3% payroll)

After showing decreased velocity during the 2023 season, Shane Bieber looked poised for a big bounce-back performance. He showed improved stuff during spring training, then tossed 12 scoreless innings with a 20-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first two starts of the regular season.

Unfortunately, an elbow issue surfaced and ultimately led to Tommy John surgery in April, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2024 campaign in what was poised to be an important contract year.

The 29-year-old might be a prime candidate for a qualifying offer this winter, but the highest-paid pitcher and second-highest paid player on the Cleveland roster has left a void in the rotation this year.

Also considered: RP Scott Barlow ($6.7 million), OF Myles Straw ($4.9 million)

Colorado Rockies: OF Kris Bryant

2024 Salary: $28 million (19.2% of payroll)

Before all is said and done, the seven-year, $182 million contract that Kris Bryant inked with the Colorado Rockies might just end up being the worst signing in MLB history.

Injuries have limited the 32-year-old to 159 games over the first three seasons of that deal. And while he hit well over 42 games in his debut with the team, he has batted just .229/.316/.346 for a 76 OPS+ in 490 plate appearances when healthy the last two years.

The bigger question is why the Rockies thought this signing was a good idea in the first place. It's not like they were a Kris Bryant away from contending for a World Series title, and at that price point, they were essentially bidding against themselves for his services.

Also considered: SP Antonio Senzatela ($12 million), SP Germán Márquez ($10 million), RP Daniel Bard ($9.5 million)

Detroit Tigers: SS Javier Báez

2024 Salary: $25 million (25.4% of payroll)

Another member of the 2016 Cubs title-winning team who has fallen off dramatically since leaving Chicago, shortstop Javier Báez has been one of the least productive offensive players in baseball since joining the Detroit Tigers on a six-year, $140 million deal prior to the 2022 season.

The 31-year-old has hit .221/.263/.347 in 1,426 plate appearances since joining the Tigers, giving him a 71 OPS+ that ranks 206th among the 210 hitters who have tallied at least 1,000 plate appearances during that span.

Meanwhile, his once elite defense has also taken a step backward, and he has poor defensive metrics (-4 DRS, -4.4 UZR/150) for the third year in a row.

How much longer before a Tigers team on the rise cuts its losses and releases him?

Also considered: SP Kenta Maeda ($14 million)

Houston Astros: 1B José Abreu

2024 Salary: $19.5 million (7.6% of payroll)

The Houston Astros released José Abreu on June 14 with $30.8 million remaining on his three-year, $58.5 million contract.

Accepting that level of sunk cost speaks to just how ineffective the former Chicago White Sox slugger was this year, hitting .124/.167/.195 with four extra-base hits in 120 plate appearances.

To his credit, Abreu, 37, took a demotion to the minors in his stride as he tried to work through his struggles at the plate, but it might be the end of the road for the three-time All-Star and 2020 AL MVP winner.

Also considered: SP Lance McCullers Jr. ($17.7 million), RP Ryan Pressly ($14 million), RP Rafael Montero ($11.5 million), RP Kendall Graveman ($8 million)

Kansas City Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe

2024 Salary: $5.5 million (4.7% of payroll)

The Kansas City Royals became the seventh team Hunter Renfroe has played for in the last six years when he signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal in free agency that also includes a $7.5 million club option and $1 million buyout for 2025.

The 32-year-old has consistently provided 30-homer power and solid outfield defense while making the MLB rounds, but he has failed to provide the middle-of-the-order run production the Royals envisioned.

Renfroe is hitting .237/.312/.398 for a 96 OPS+ with 18 doubles, 12 home runs and 47 RBI in 372 plate appearances, and he has been sidelined since Aug. 24 with a hamstring injury, which led to the Royals claiming Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers.

Also considered: RP Will Smith ($5 million)

Los Angeles Angels: 3B Anthony Rendon

2024 Salary: $38.5 million (22.4% of payroll)

Remember earlier when we mentioned how Kris Bryant's contract with the Colorado Rockies could end up being the worst free-agent signing ever?

Anthony Rendon might be his biggest competition.

The former Washington Nationals star will have banked roughly $167 million from the Los Angeles Angels when the 2024 season comes to a close, and thus far he has produced 3.6 WAR in 253 games with the team.

Telling reporters that baseball has "never been a top priority" for him during the offseason didn't exactly improve his image as an underperforming financial drain.

Also considered: OF Mike Trout ($37.1 million), RP Robert Stephenson ($11 million), RP Matt Moore ($9 million), IF Brandon Drury ($8.5 million)

Los Angeles Dodgers: IF/OF Chris Taylor

2024 Salary: $13 million (5.4% of payroll)

One of baseball's best utility players and a proven postseason performer at his peak with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chris Taylor signed a four-year, $60 million deal to stay with the team following the 2021 season.

The 34-year-old continued to be a useful piece of the puzzle in 2022 and 2023, providing his usual mix of power, speed and defensive versatility for a playoff contender, but his production has fallen off a cliff this season.

Taylor is hitting .179/.285/.274 for a 61 OPS+ in 208 plate appearances, and he has been worth minus-0.7 WAR over 72 games. He is still owed $13 million next season, along with a $4 million buyout on a $12 million club option for 2026.

Also considered: OF Jason Heyward ($9 million), SP Walker Buehler ($8 million), RP Joe Kelly ($8 million), SP Tony Gonsolin ($5.4 million)

Miami Marlins: OF Avisail Garcia

2024 Salary: $12 million (12.3% of payroll)

After putting together a strong 2021 season with the Milwaukee Brewers in which he posted a 119 OPS+ with 29 home runs and 86 RBI, Avisail Garcia was one of the better bats to hit free agency that winter.

The Miami Marlins signed him to a four-year, $53 million deal and he promptly forgot how to hit, batting .218/.260/.322 for a 61 OPS+ in 549 plate appearances over the first three years of that contract before he was released on June 9.

The Marlins are still on the hook for another $12 million next season, along with a $5 million buyout on his 2026 club option. Garcia, 33, was worth minus-1.9 WAR over 153 games in Miami.

Also considered: 1B Josh Bell ($14.3 million), SP Sandy Alcántara ($9.3 million), SS Tim Anderson ($5 million)

Milwaukee Brewers: 1B Rhys Hoskins

2024 Salary: $12 million (10.4% of payroll)

After slugging 30 home runs in 2022 while helping the Philadelphia Phillies reach the World Series, first baseman Rhys Hoskins spent his contract year watching from the sidelines after suffering a torn ACL during spring training.

With a 125 OPS+ and 36 home runs per 162 games during his six seasons in Philadelphia, he was still one of the most accomplished power hitters on the market this past winter. He wound up inking a one-year, $12 million deal that includes an $18 million player option and $4 million buyout for 2025, looking to rebuild his stock for another run at free agency.

The 31-year-old has provided some middle-of-the-order pop with 23 home runs and 70 RBI, but he is hitting just .211/.296/.418 for a 94 OPS+ and striking out 27.5 percent of the time in a minus-0.4 WAR season.

Also considered: SP Wade Miley ($7 million)

Minnesota Twins: C Christian Vázquez

2024 Salary: $10 million (7.7% of payroll)

It was tempting to go with Carlos Correa and his bloated $33.3 million salary since he has only stayed healthy enough to play 75 games, but he was an All-Star and has been worth 3.4 WAR when he has taken the field.

Instead, catcher Christian Vázquez is the pick in the second season of a three-year, $30 million deal.

The 34-year-old has posted a .225/.269/.330 line and 66 OPS+ with 0.1 WAR in 181 games over the first two years of that contract, and the emergence of Ryan Jeffers has made him a high-priced backup on a team that does not spend at a level to be afford such a luxury.

Also considered: SS Carlos Correa ($33.3 million), OF Max Kepler ($10 million), IF Kyle Farmer ($6.3 million), OF Manuel Margot ($4 million)

New York Mets: OF Starling Marte

2024 Salary: $20.8 million (6.6% of payroll)

The New York Mets are paying Max Scherzer ($30.8 million), Justin Verlander ($25 million) and James McCann ($8 million) a combined $63.8 million to play elsewhere this season.

To put that number into perspective, it's more than the Oakland Athletics' entire team payroll this year, which clocks in at just under $63 million.

Since none of those guys were eligible to be the choice for the Mets having not started the year with the organization, the pick is veteran outfielder Starling Marte in the third season of a four-year, $78 million deal.

The 35-year-old has a 105 OPS+ and 0.4 WAR in 77 games, leaving him well short of numbers that justify being the 11th-highest paid outfielder in baseball.

Also considered: SP Kodai Senga ($15 million), RP Edwin Diaz ($14.2 million), C Omar Narvaez ($7 million), RP Brooks Raley ($6.5 million), SP Adrian Houser ($5.1 million), RP Jake Diekman ($4 million)

New York Yankees: IF DJ LeMahieu

2024 Salary: $15 million (4.9% of payroll)

There are plenty of candidates on the New York Yankees roster, but this boiled down to a two-way battle between first baseman Anthony Rizzo and third baseman DJ LeMahieu.

• Rizzo: 72 G, 79 OPS+, .228/.291/.349, 17 XBH, -0.4 WAR
• LeMahieu: 66 G, 49 OPS+, .202/.268/.258, 7 XBH, -1.6 WAR

The extra $2 million that Rizzo is earning this season was not enough to swing the choice away from LeMahieu, who is a strong candidate to be released this offseason with two years and $30 million remaining on his six-year, $90 million deal.

Also considered: SP Gerrit Cole ($36 million), DH Giancarlo Stanton ($32 million), SP Carlos Rodón ($27.8 million), 2B Gleyber Torres ($14.2 million), OF Alex Verdugo ($8.7 million), OF Trent Grisham ($5.5 million)

Oakland Athletics: SP Ross Stripling

2024 Salary: $9.3 million (14.8% of payroll)

Looking to bolster the starting rotation with some short-term veteran additions, the Oakland Athletics signed Alex Wood to a one-year, $8.5 million deal and acquired Ross Stripling from the San Francisco Giants on the same day in early February.

The duo has pitched a combined 120 innings with a 5.25 ERA.

Stripling has accounted for 80.2 of those innings, going 2-11 with a 5.24 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 14 starts and five relief appearances.

His 3.95 FIP points to some bad luck, but his .298 opponents' batting average and 13.0 percent strikeout rate are a reflection of his middling stuff.

Also considered: SP Alex Wood ($8.5 million), IF Aledmys Díaz ($7.7 million)

Philadelphia Phillies: SP Taijuan Walker

2024 Salary: $18 million (7.3% of payroll)

After years of battling injuries, Taijuan Walker strung together a pair of strong seasons with the New York Mets, and he was able to parlay that performance into a four-year, $72 million deal from the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2023 season.

The 32-year-old went 15-6 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 172.2 innings in his first season with the team, but the bottom has fallen out this season as he has struggled to a 6.50 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 14 starts.

Walker was demoted to the bullpen last week, and according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, there has been some speculation that he could be designated for assignment. Cutting ties would mean eating the final two years and $36 million of his contract.

Also considered: OF Nick Castellanos ($20 million), IF Whit Merrifield ($6.7 million)

Pittsburgh Pirates: 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes

2024 Salary: $7 million (8.3% of payroll)

Always a standout defender at third base, it looked like Ke'Bryan Hayes was finally turning a corner at the plate last season when he hit .271/.309/.453 for a 103 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 15 home runs, 61 RBI and 10 steals in a 4.0-WAR season that also saw him snap Nolan Arenado's NL Gold Glove streak.

Will that prove to be his peak performance?

The 27-year-old has regressed this season, posting a .233/.283/.290 line and 61 OPS+ over 396 plate appearances, and he is currently sidelined with lower back inflammation.

The eight-year, $70 million extension he signed prior to the 2022 season represented a major financial commitment for a cost-conscious organization, and it remains to be seen if he can be a foundational piece.

Also considered: RP David Bednar ($4.5 million), OF Michael A. Taylor ($4 million)

San Diego Padres: 2B Xander Bogaerts

2024 Salary: $25.4 million (15.2% of payroll)

The San Diego Padres were a confusing fit for Xander Bogaerts from the moment he was signed to an 11-year, $280 million deal prior to the 2023 season. And after his first season with the team, it was announced he was shifting from shortstop to second base.

That means even more pressure is on the 31-year-old's bat to provide value, and he has fallen short this season, hitting .265/.306/.365 for an 88 OPS+ that is his lowest single-season mark since his rookie year in 2014.

It will be interesting to see what the San Diego infield looks like heading into next season with Ha-Seong Kim headed for free agency, Manny Machado seeing more time at designated hitter and Luis Arraez capable of playing multiple positions.

Also considered: SP Joe Musgrove ($20 million)

San Francisco Giants: SP Robbie Ray

2024 Salary: $23 million (11.4% of payroll)

The San Francisco Giants acquired 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in a swap of bloated contracts that sent Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani to the Seattle Mariners, knowing he would not be ready to contribute until the second half of the season.

Following his terrific 2021 season, Ray signed a five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners, and he had a solid 2022 campaign with a 3.71 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 212 strikeouts in 189 innings.

His 2023 season lasted exactly one start before he was lost for the year to Tommy John surgery, and the 32-year-old has struggled to find his form since returning to the mound on July 24 with his new team.

Ray has a 4.70 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 30.2 innings over seven starts, but he is back on the injured list now with a strained hamstring. He will earn $50 million over the next two seasons, assuming he does not trigger an opt-out in his contract this winter.

Also considered: SP Blake Snell ($23.5 million), OF Michael Conforto ($18 million), IF Wilmer Flores ($6.5 million), IF Thairo Estrada ($4.7 million)

Seattle Mariners: OF Mitch Haniger

2024 Salary: $16 million (10.9% of payroll)

If it's any consolation to the San Francisco Giants, the Robbie Ray-Mitch Haniger swap has gone just as poorly for the Seattle Mariners.

Reunited with the team he played for during a 39-homer season in 2021, Haniger is hitting .207/.285/.342 for an 84 OPS+ with 12 doubles, 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 112 games.

The 33-year-old has a $15.5 million player option for the 2025 season that he will likely exercise, though it is at least some small victory knowing that financial commitment pales in comparison to what the Giants still owe Ray.

Also considered: DH Mitch Garver ($10.5 million), 1B Ty France ($5.8 million), IF Luis Urías ($5 million)

St. Louis Cardinals: 1B Paul Goldschmidt

2024 Salary: $26 million (14.8% of payroll)

How much does Paul Goldschmidt have left in the tank?

In the final season of a five-year, $130 million deal, the potential future Hall of Famer is having the worst offensive season of his storied career, hitting .244/.302/.410 for a 96 OPS+ with 26 doubles, 20 home runs and 55 RBI in 131 games.

The 36-year-old is not far removed from winning 2022 NL MVP honors, and he was still a 3.4-WAR player a year ago, so it will be interesting to see what sort of market awaits him in free agency this winter.

Also considered: 3B Nolan Arenado ($24 million), SP Steven Matz ($12.5 million), RP Giovanny Gallegos ($5.8 million), RP Keynan Middleton ($5 million)

Tampa Bay Rays: OF Randy Arozarena

2024 Salary: $5.3 million (6.0% of payroll)

The Tampa Bay Rays spent the trade deadline slashing payroll and dismantling an underperforming roster, and one of the biggest names to be sent packing was outfielder Randy Arozarena.

The 2023 All-Star Game starter and perennial 20/20 threat hit just .211/.318/.394 for a 103 OPS+ with 15 home runs, 37 RBI, 16 steals and 0.7 WAR in 100 games before he was traded to the Seattle Mariners at the deadline in what felt like a sell-low move.

The $5.3 million he earned prior to the trade was still enough to make him one of the highest-paid players on the team this year, and more roster retooling likely awaits this winter with Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz prime candidates to be moved.

Also considered: SP Shane McClanahan ($3.6 million), RP Phil Maton ($3.5 million), DH Harold Ramírez ($3.4 million)

Texas Rangers: SP Jacob deGrom

2024 Salary: $40 million (18.0% of payroll)

The Texas Rangers have paid roughly $64 million for Jacob deGrom to start six games, all of which came during the 2023 season and none of which came during the team's postseason run last year.

The 36-year-old made his third rehab start on Sunday, striking out five over 2.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A Round Rock. But if and when he does finally return to the MLB mound, it will be for a Rangers team that has long since fallen out of the playoff race.

He is owed $115 million over the next three years, so there is still time for him to make his mark in a Rangers uniform, but so far he has been a complete non-factor.

Also considered: SP Max Scherzer ($12.5 million)

Toronto Blue Jays: OF George Springer

2024 Salary: $24.2 million (11.1% of salary)

The steady decline of George Springer has been difficult to ignore over the past three seasons.

• 2022: 133 G, 132 OPS+, .267/.342/.472, 4.1 WAR
  
• 2023: 154 G, 102 OPS+, .258/.327/.405, 2.1 WAR
• 2024: 127 G, 93 OPS+, .216/.301/.381, 1.2 WAR

The 34-year-old is still owed $24.2 million in 2025 and 2026 to wrap up a six-year, $150 million, and on a roster loaded with disappointing performances this year, Springer has been the most egregious relative to his salary.

Also considered: SS Bo Bichette ($12.1 million), DH Justin Turner ($10.6 million), OF Kevin Kiermaier ($8.7 million), RP Jordan Romano ($7.8 million)

Washington Nationals: SP Patrick Corbin

2024 Salary: $25 million (23.5% of payroll)

To his credit, Patrick Corbin continues to take the ball every fifth day and chew up innings on a rebuilding Washington Nationals team.

The 35-year-old is in the final season of a six-year, $140 million deal that started with a bang when he was a key member of the 2019 World Series-winning club, but he has been disappointing to say the least in the years that followed.

Since the start of the 2021 season, he has a 5.69 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 651.2 innings, and while a pitcher's win-loss record doesn't mean much these days, his 29-62 showing during that span is difficult to ignore.

Also considered: 1B/OF Joey Gallo ($5 million)