Fansided

30 greatest MLB players to never make the playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 30
Next
BALTIMORE – SEPTEMBER 13: Vernon Wells #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on September 13, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Orioles won the game 4-3. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE – SEPTEMBER 13: Vernon Wells #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on September 13, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Orioles won the game 4-3. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

28. Vernon Wells

Outfielder Vernon Wells was one of the best young players in the first half of the 2000s. Unfortunately, his career will always be remembered more for the massive contract he failed to live up to. Injuries, more than anything else, prevented Wells from getting the most out of his considerable talents.

Wells made his debut for the Toronto Blue Jays at the age of 20 in 2000 but did not fully establish himself as a full-time big leaguer until 2002. In his first full season, Wells hit .275/.305/.457 with 23 home runs and 100 RBI. He followed that solid debut up with an All-Star season. In 2003, Wells hit .317/.359/.550 and led the majors with 215 hits, the AL with 49 doubles and hit 33 home runs with 117 RBI. Wells was awarded the Silver Slugger for center field.

After solid but unspectacular seasons in 2004 and 2005, Wells busted out to hit .303/.3557/.542 with 40 doubles, 30 home runs and 106 RBI in 2006. He also showed a more disciplined approach at the plate. This season prompted the Jays to reward their center fielder with a massive seven-year, $126-million contract that was heavily backloaded. The contract was large, but not viewed as an awful investment at the time because Wells was still only 27 and had played over 150 games in four of his first five seasons.

In the first year of his new deal, a shoulder injury dragged Wells down to the worst line of his career. He hit only .245/.304/.402 with 16 home runs and 80 RBI. Wells mostly looked like an All-Star in 2008 but played only 108 games due to wrist and ankle injuries.

Home/MLB Postseason