Mo' Money, Mo' Problems.

Alex Rodriguez is having a subpar season. Too many errors, too many strikeouts, too many lousy at-bats. The slumps seem to linger while the streaks haven't lasted long enough. (I think I'm repeating myself.)

The numbers: .279/.380/.492, 26 hrs, 93 rbis, and 88 runs scored.

Despite his struggles, Alex Rodriguez is probably still among the top 25 AL players in 2006.

Jon Heyman lists ARod as the biggest bust in the entire American League:

"1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees. First there was the error streak (five quick ones), now there's the strikeout streak (11 in 15 at-bats). A .492 slugging percentage is OK for mortal men. But for the $252 million man? Fuhgettaboutit."

Carl Pavano hasn't pitched an inning in 14 months and Heyman lists Pavano twenty-first on this list.

When all is said and done, Alex Rodriguez will probably hit close to .300/.400/.500 40, 120, 120, and ARod's a bigger bust than Carl Pavano?

No, he isn't.


Scan the list and you'll see that none of these players have numbers that are in the same stratosphere as Alex Rodriguez.

The closest is Mark Teixeira, a first baseman who has 14 less rbis and 11 less runs. (Come to think of it, I'm not sure why Teixeira is on the list, either.)

ARod is nowhere near the biggest bust in the AL. I could easily list a few unmentioned Red Sox who are bigger busts than ARod, especially since Heyman is taking injuries and salaries into account.

Wait a second: If Heyman includes Pavano, then that just opens the door for injured players. Just find 25 players who earn $8 million+ and you've got you're 25 biggest busts right there.

Plus, if injuries count, then Matsui and Sheffield are automatically bigger busts than ARod. Their combined $24 million has produced only 38 rbis in 2006.


So, what is really going on here?

The Problem is that Jon Heyman, and many others, have no ability to figure out the statistical expectations for the $252 million man.

The Problem is that Jon Heyman and other paid baseball analysts offer the same insider insight as your barber.