by Jacob Carvalho

Created on: August 04, 2009

Great players are found in the sport of baseball. They are the best of the best and their stats are at the top of the leader board. But some of these players are held back because of their team. Their team is bad and is a losing team. Their team has a weak offense and terrible pitching. These top-notch players cannot be excellent if they are not on a good enough team. These are some of those players.

Hanley Ramirez SS Florida Marlins: Hanley has been noted as the best shortstop in the game. He is an all-around amazing offensive player even though he lacks some defensive skill. His Florida Marlins have been a struggle since he was traded from the Boston Red Sox for 2 All-Stars on the Marlins (3B Mike Lowell and P Josh Beckett). Now the Marlins haven't been close to the top of the division since then. They haven't been in last since the Washington Nationals are in their division. In 2006, he was the Rookie of the Year and was got the Silver Slugger Award in 2008. He has had 2 All-Star selections in 2008 and 2009. This year, Hanley and the Marlins are in the running for the wildcard, but it seems like they don't have that extra push they need. 2008 Stats: .301, 33 HR, 67 RBI, 35 SB

Roy Halladay P Toronto Blue Jays: Halladay is one of the best pitchers today. The 32-year old has been lights out his entire career. But the Blue Jays have been lights out too, in the win column. The Blue Jays haven't made the playoffs since the 90s. Their offense is aging and their farm system isn't so great. This year, the Blue Jays tried to trade their Cy-Young pitcher to any team, but got no takers. Halladay was the 2003 Cy-Young award winner. The Blue Jays are out of contention this year, but are still trying to keep up the pace. 2008 Stats: 20-11, 206 SO, 2.78 ERA

Grady Sizemore OF Cleveland Indians: Sizemore has a great all-around game. He is an amazing defensive outfielder with a lot of talent. In 2007 and 2008, he won the Gold Glove Award for outfield. He won the A.L. Silver Slugger Award in 2008 as well. He is a 3-time All-Star for the Indians. The Indians did make the ALCS in 2007, but have headed downward from then on. This year, the Indians traded 2 of their top players, 2008 Cy-Young Winner Cliff Lee and C/1B Victor Martinez. Now Sizemore is all alone. These trades were made because the Indians know they do not have a chance this year. 2008 Stats: .268, 33 HR, 90 RBI, 38 SB

Felix Hernandez P, Ichiro Suzuki OF Seattle Mariners: Felix has been the best young pitcher most people have ever seen. He has a wicked fastball and good off-speed pitches. Ichiro is one of the best Japanese born players MLB has seen. He is lightning on the base baths and is a great team hitter. The problem is they play for the Mariners. The Mariners have been a laughing stock over the past years. They have failed to reach the playoffs and have always had problems resigning their best players. Like this past year, they weren't able to resign OF Raul Ibanez who is having his best year ever. The Mariners have a slight chance this year, but they will need a monster second half. 2008 Stats (Felix): 9-11, 175 SO, 3.45 ERA 2008 Stats (Ichiro): .310, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 43 SB

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