Every MLB team's most disappointing player in 2022

After leading the NL in saves during 2021, Melancon received a two-year deal from Arizona last offseason. The result was a 4.66 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 56 innings, and Melancon was removed from the closer role late in the year.

Known for his durability early in his career, Albies has been plagued by injuries in two of the last three seasons. He played only 64 games due to a fractured foot, followed by a fractured pinkie shortly after returning. With Dansby Swanson headed toward free agency, the Braves will be counting on Albies to rebound next season.

Means was Baltimore's clear ace during their last three seasons of losing, but he couldn't carry that torch in their breakout campaign due to a torn elbow ligament that required Tommy John surgery. The left-hander could return by the middle of 2023.

Sales had high hopes after returning from Tommy John surgery late in 2021. However, he suffered one injury after another in 2022, including a rib injury, fractured finger, and fractured pinkie in a bike accident late in the year. He's now made only 11 starts over the last three seasons.

The Cubs found lightning in a bottle during the 2021 season when Schwindel replaced Anthony Rizzo at first base. He was handed the first base job after hitting .342-13-40 in 239 plate appearances, but the minor league veteran couldn't repeat his success in his follow-up campaign. Schwindel hit only .229-8-36 in 292 plate appearances and won't find an opportunity as easily at age 30.

The loss of Carlos Rodon will be blamed for much of the White Sox's pitching decline, but Giolito's disastrous season was also a major culprit. He lost velocity and posted a 4.90 ERA in 30 starts.

Votto is one of the best players in Reds history, but the end of his career is getting nearer. He hit only .205-11-41 with a .689 OPS in 91 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury and is now entering the final season of his 10-year contract.

A key part of Cleveland's lineup since he was acquired in 2019, Reyes had a very sudden decline last season. He was designated for assignment after hitting only .213-9-28 with 104 strikeouts in 280 plate appearances, and his production didn't improve much after the Cubs claimed him on waivers.

The Rockies let Trevor Story get away in free agency and used that money on Bryant. The tradeoff wasn't a good one, as the former NL MVP with the Cubs played only 42 games due to injury. He has six years remaining on his contract to make up for lost time.

Baez earned a massive six-year, $140 million contract from the Tigers last offseason. He was their best player in terms of WAR (2.6), but his offensive stats left a lot to be desired — hitting only .238-17-67 with a .671 OPS and 26 errors.

Gurriel was a productive hitter for the bulk of his first six seasons in Houston, including an AL Batting Title in 2021. His bat was quieted at age 38 last season, hitting only .242-8-53 in 584 plate appearances. A pending free agent, it seems likely the Astros will look for other options at first base.

Merrifield was traded to Toronto at the trade deadline, but he struggled before that in Kansas City. The long-time Royal hit only .240-6-42 with 15 steals and a .643 OPS in 420 plate appearances.

The lack of depth in the Angels' lineup was a big reason for another disappointing season, and Walsh's struggles were apparent. After making the AL All-Star team in 2021, he hit only .215-15-44 with a .642 OPS in 454 plate appearances. The Angels will likely give Walsh another opportunity considering his cheap salary, though a backup plan next season would make sense.

At this point, a change of scenery might be the best thing for Bellinger after consecutive seasons of struggling in LA. The former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP did improve slightly on his nightmarish 2021 numbers, but he still hit only .210-19-68 with a .654 OPS in 550 plate appearances.

The Marlins spent big money last offseason on Garcia and Jorge Soler, but neither move worked out. Garcia's production was particularly bad, hitting only .224-8-35 with 17/109 BB/K in 380 plate appearances. He has three seasons remaining on his contract.

McCutchen spent the majority of his time last season as Milwaukee's DH but wasn't able to produce much offensively. The former superstar finished the season with a .700 OPS in 580 plate appearances, hitting only .237-17-69.

Coming off a wrist injury, Kirilloff was hoping to show off the stroke that made him a top prospect before getting promoted in 2021. Instead, he struggled while fighting through more wrist problems, producing a .651 OPS in 156 plate appearances and eventually undergoing wrist surgery.

Smith looked like a major part of New York's future when he produced a .993 OPS in the abbreviated 2020 season. He's struggled at the plate since then and spent much of 2022 at Triple-A. While in the majors, Smith hit only .194-0-17 in 152 plate appearances.

Chapman opened the 2022 season as New York's closer and finished the year off the playoff roster after an unexcused absence from playoff workouts. In between, Chapman lost closer duties due to his erratic control and had a stint on the injured list due to an infected tattoo on his leg. He finished the season with a 4.46 ERA in 36.1 innings and could struggle to find a market in free agency.

Laureano's 2022 season was delayed due to a PEDs suspension, and he never looked quite right after returning. The outfielder's .663 OPS in 383 plate appearances was easily the worst of his career, and he was shut down in September due to hamstring and hip injuries.

Castellanos received a five-year, $100 million contract from the Phillies after a terrific 2021 season in Cincinnati. He wasn't able to come anywhere close to his All-Star production in his first season with the Phils, hitting only .263-13-62 with a .694 OPS. Paired with mediocre defense, Castellanos had a -0.1 WAR for the season.

The Pirates didn't spend much money last offseason, but they did write a $4 million check to Tsutsugo after he shined late in 2021. That production shows the danger of judging from small sample sizes, as Tsutsugo hit only .171-2-19 in 193 plate appearances and was released in August.

No player had a more disappointing 2022 than Tatis Jr. After fracturing his wrist in a motorcycle accident in the offseason and delaying surgery, Tatis Jr. was suspended for PEDs while on a rehab assignment in August. The result was a lost year and a complete loss of trust from his Padres teammates and fans.

Wood signed a two-year deal after his strong 2021 campaign with the Giants, but he'd like to forget the first season of that contract. The lefty had a 5.10 ERA in 26 starts before getting shut down with a shoulder injury in September.

Kelenic has had elite prospect hype since he was drafted sixth overall by the Mets in 2018. His minor league production has been exemplary, but the MLB performance hasn't followed as he's hit only .168-21-60 in 558 plate appearances in two seasons. He hit just .141 in 181 plate appearances last year, though the team did feel he got on the right track in September.

Matz was the Cardinals' most expensive acquisition last offseason, signing a four-year, $44 million contract. He managed to pitch only 48 innings due to multiple IL stints, and he was ineffective when he did throw with a 5.25 ERA. The good news is that Matz finished the year healthy, so St. Louis expects him to be a regular member of the starting rotation in 2023.

Baz was Tampa Bay's top pitching prospect entering the season, generating more hype with a dominant MLB run late in 2021. The start of his 2022 season was delayed due to bone chips in his elbow, and he lasted only six starts before another elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. The Rays will likely have to wait until 2024 before they see Baz on the mound again.

The Rangers only return for Lance Lynn before the 2021 season, Dunning hasn't yet found his rhythm in the majors. He fought through injuries to start 29 games last season but was largely ineffective, with a 4.46 ERA in 153.1 innings. Texas needs more from Dunning next year to reach its goals.

Kikuchi was an upside signing after showing flashes of being an ace with Seattle. The Blue Jays never saw that from Kikuchi in the first year of his three-year deal, as he posted a 5.19 ERA in 100.2 innings and spent much of the last two months in the bullpen.

Washington's big contracts with Corbin and Stephen Strasburg have been disastrous. To Corbin's credit, at least he's been able to take the mound regularly, though he's now led the NL in losses in consecutive years. The left-hander was a shocking 6-19 with a 6.31 ERA in 31 starts, leading the NL in hits and earned runs allowed. He has two years and nearly $60 million left on his contract, though it seems unlikely Corbin will remain in Washington for that long.