Jason Michaels Experiment at an End in Cleveland

Sure, OF Jason Michaels hit .304 for the Phillies in 2005 and was regarded by many as a potential everyday player. But the grim reality of Michaels' limitations became abundantly clear once he arrived in Cleveland, when he was given a chance to play fulll-time but hit just .267 with nine homers.

Obviously, Michaels' nifty batting average in Philadelphia was achieved through cherry picking left-handed pitchers, as he put up his numbers in just 289 at-bats. Now the 30-year-old former 49th round pick must at last resign himself to platooning in left field with the Indians newly acquired left-handed hitting David Dellucci, another Philadelphia castoff and career part-time player.

Splitting time, neither player can be ticketed for anything remotely like stardom. Still, Michaels can draw considerable satisfaction from his new contract for just over $4 million over the next two years, plus a $100,000 signing bonus and a club option for 2009.