MLB: Mike Mussina
Starting Pitcher
New York Yankees
2008 salary: $11 million
2005-07 average salary: $13.7 million
Average past three seasons:39-25
4.29 earned run average (ERA)176 innings
Mussina's had a great career; his 254 lifetime wins rank 40th all-time. But his best days ended before his big Yankee contract, with declining innings totals and a winning percentage just a hair better than his team's.
MLB: Brad Lidge
Relief Pitcher
Philadelphia Phillies
2008 salary: $6.4 million
2005-07 average salary: $3.3 million
Average last three seasons:3-4 3.7 ERA
71 innings
After putting up stellar numbers for the Astros from 2003 to 2005, Lidge regressed during the next two seasons. His ERA climbed to 5.28 in 2006, the year his salary jumped to $3.975 million from $500,000. The good news: This year's trade to Philadelphia seems to have revitalized him so far--he hasn't allowed an earned run in his first 15 innings.
MLB: Johnny Damon
Outfielder
New York Yankees
2008 salary: $13 million
2005-07 average salary: $13 million
Average last three seasons:.291
batting average (BA).359 on-base percentage (OBP)
15 home runs (HR)
73 runs batted in (RBI)
The Red Sox aren't two-time World Series champs (2004 and 2007) for nothing. Credit Boston's brain trust for resisting the urge to overpay for the popular-but-fading star after the 2005 season, when the Yankees came waving free agent cash.
MLB: Juan Pierre
Outfielder
Los Angeles Dodgers
2008 salary: $8 million
2005-07 average salary: $5.7 million
Average last three seasons:.287 ,BA.329 ,
OBP2 HR42 RBI
A lead-off hitter with great speed, Pierre has averaged 61 stolen bases over the past three seasons. But that asset is undermined by an abysmal on-base percentage (he's walked just 33 times a year since 2005), let alone his nonexistent power. No wonder Pierre has bounced around with four different teams during a nine-year career.
MLB: Ichiro Suzuki
Outfielder
Seattle Mariners
2008 salary: $17.1 million
2005-07 average salary: $12.5 million
Average last three seasons:.326
BA.372, OBP10 HR,61 RBI
Yes, Ichiro is a hit machine, and people marvel at the way he's racked up over 200 hits each year since entering majors from Japan in 2001. But he doesn't walk much (fewer than 50 in every season but one), making his on-base percentage less than stellar for a lead-off hitter with limited power. He also badly trails other veteran outfielders in extra-base hits. A nice player, but eight-figure singles-hitters only buy so many wins. Only Ichiro's strong defense keeps him from the No. 1 spot on the overpaid list.
NFL: Nate Clements
Cornerback
San Francisco 49ers
2007 contract salary cap value: $11.1 million
Percentage of team cap: 11.5%
Average cap value 2005-07: $7.3 million
Average last three years: 87 tackles, three interceptions
The 49ers are paying for the two Pro Bowl seasons Clements had with the Bills. His $10.5 million bonus for 2007 took up a ton of salary cap room for a 5-11 team that needs help in a lot of places.
NFL: Patrick Surtain
Cornerback
Kansas City Chiefs
2007 Contract salary cap value: $9.4 million
Percentage of team cap: 11.1%
Average cap value 2005-07: $5 million
Average last three seasons: 62 tackles, two interceptions
A Pro Bowl pick twice with the Dolphins, Surtain has averaged 62 tackles and just over two interceptions since going to Kansas City. Still a solid defensive back for sure, but not at 11% of the salary cap.
NFL: DeWayne Robertson
Defensive Tackle
Denver Broncos
2007 contract salary cap value: $7.4 million (with N.Y. Jets)
Percentage of team cap: 8.7%
Average cap value 2005-07: $6.9 million
Average last three seasons: 54 tackles, 3.5 sacks
Robertson has developed into a solid nose tackle but never lived up to a contract that reflected his being the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft. On April 24, the Jets sent him to Denver for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick.
NFL: Quentin Jammer
Cornerback
San Diego Chargers
2007 contract salary cap value: $8.6 million
Pct. of team cap: 8.7%
Average cap value 2005-07: $6.5 million
Average last three seasons: 70 tackles, two interceptions
Jammer has never made all-pro despite being the fifth overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. He's a tough, physical player but not considered a top "cover guy" who blankets pass receivers regularly.
NFL: Derrick Dockery
Offensive Guard
Buffalo Bills
2007 contract salary cap value: $6.8 million
Percentage of team cap: 7.5%
Average cap value 2005-07: $3 million
The All-American from the University of Texas was a third-round draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 2003. After four steady--but unspectacular--seasons with the 'Skins, the Buffalo Bills came calling with an $18 million free-agent signing bonus in 2007.