Whether it’s that reliever that always seems to blow tight games in late innings, that batter that leaves runners on the bases, or that starter that walks seven batters an inning, every team has at least one player that as a fan, you’d rather set your eyelids on fire than watch trot onto the field for just one more inning.

I’ve compiled a list of 10 infuriating, punch-a-hole-through-your-wall MLB players to watch. Granted, this list is by no means all-inclusive (and I implore you the reader to list the guys that drive you nuts in the comments section). But these are the 10 that seem to make my blood boil on a consistent basis, whether they’re playing for my favorite team or not.

Julio Lugo, OF, Red Sox
I would lose the respect of all Boston fans if I didn’t have Lugo’s name on this list. It’s not only that Lugo can’t field and flails at pitches like a schoolgirl trying to swat away a bee on the playground, but also that he’s being paid $9 million a year to look so bad. He has zero range defensively and he also has a knack for turning double plays at a snail’s pace. Granted, he’s been delegated a backup behind Nick Green at short, but just the mere idea that Lugo is still on the roster must make BoSox fans want to toss their last meal. Whenever the BoSox do decide to get rid of him, Boston fans might try to make that day an official holiday.

The Cubs’ outfield collection of Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley and Kosuke Fukudome
Nothing says overpaid and overrated like the Cubs’ outfield. Whether you love brutal defense, swing-at-everything offense, or just plain stupidity, the Cubs’ outfield collection of Soriano, Bradley and Fukudome have it all. Soriano can’t judge fly balls and even when he does, he’s always prone to making an error with his unnecessary hop, skip and a jump catch. Bradley has turned out to be one of the worst offseason signings of the year while failing to produce at the dish, fighting with manager Lou Piniella and forgetting how many outs there are in an inning. Fukudome is fine defensively, but his mini-tornado batting approach is almost laughable to watch sometimes. Whenever the trio is in the outfield at the same time, you’d swear you’re at the circus instead of the “Friendly Confines.”

Chris Duncan, OF, Cardinals
Despite currently owning the best record in the NL Central, the Cardinals actually have a couple of players that fans wouldn’t mind taking on a tour of the Arch, only to leave them at the top with no way down. Reliever Dennys Reyes is one of those players, Joe Thurston is another, but Duncan takes the cake. Not only is he brutal both offensively and defensively, but he also continues to bat in front of superstar Albert Pujols and not produce. Pitchers give him hittable pitches on a nightly basis knowing that Pujols is behind him, yet the best Duncan can do is produce a sub-.250 batting average and a paltry five home runs. Couple that with his brutal defense and it’s amazing that he still has a starting job. (Although he can thank a rash of injuries for that.)

Edgar Renteria, SS, Giants
At least twice this year I read that Renteria was a solid offseason signing for the Giants by two different media outlets. If by solid they meant that the Giants once again overpaid for a free agent, then yes, Renteria was a solid signing. Watching him trying to go to his left on a ball hit up the middle is like watching an insect trying to scramble to get out of water after you flushed it down your toilet. Unless the ball is hit right at him, he can’t move and God help the first baseman when he tries to rush a throw. He’s still okay with the bat at times, but Bruce Bochy refused to move him out of the two-hole for most of the first half despite Renteria’s willingness to suck. At No. 6 or No. 7 in the lineup, he’s serviceable. At No. 2, he’s maddening.

Melvin Mora, 3B, Orioles
Whether it’s at the dish, in the field or on the base paths, Mora seemingly makes a bone-headed play at least once a game. He’s 37 years old, his production is almost non-existent and he doesn’t have much of a future in Baltimore past next year. Yet he continues to take up space in the middle of the O’s lineup because manager Dave Trembley refuses to play youngsters over the vets. It’s bad enough that Baltimore fans have to succumb to watching their team lose on a regular basis. But to also make them watch old, crusty vets lose is just downright cruel.

Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees
Don’t get it twisted – Damon is a fine offensive player. I have no idea how he can still hit over 12 home runs almost every year despite his age, but he does and he’s been a very good offensive player for the Bombers. But his chicken wing has always been an issue and Yankee fans must cringe every time a ball his hit into left field. He used to be able to make up for his little league arm with his speed, but he’s definitely lost a step over the years and he has trouble making adjustments on balls hit over his head. The Yankees will take his offensive production, but they’d probably be better off with a scarecrow set up in left field.

Scott Kazmir, SP, Rays
Granted, Kazmir is starting to slowly turn things around since coming off the DL a couple weeks ago. But he’s got to be one of the most frustrating supposed-aces in baseball and what’s maddening is that he has outstanding stuff. But he can’t stay healthy and he’s way too inconsistent to be counted on as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. If he were a No. 3 or No. 4 starter being paid No. 3 or No. 4 money, fans could deal with his ups and downs. But he’s Tampa’s highest paid pitcher (fourth highest player behind Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and the equally-frustrating Pat Burrell) and his ERA is almost 7.00 this season.

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
This is obviously in correlation to this year, because Maggs has been outstanding for the Tigers since he was acquired from Chicago in 2005. He’s supposed to be a significant bat in Detroit’s lineup, yet he’s batting just .266 with four home runs and 28 RBI. Worse yet, he’s still collecting a massive paycheck (he’s the currently the Tigers’ highest paid player) and he’s frightening to watch in the outfield. Maybe he’ll bounce back and I’ll have to eat my words but until then, he has to be driving Detroit fans nuts right now, even with the Tigers in first place.

Russell Martin, C, Dodgers
What the frack happened to this kid? Once one of the most promising catchers in all of baseball, Martin is hitting just. 248 this season with one dinger. At 26, he still has a ton of potential and maybe with Manny Ramirez back in the Dodgers’ lineup he’ll turn it around in the second half. But once a promising player with a decent amount of pop, Martin now he hits like Chone Figgins without the high average.

Bob Howry, RP, Giants
I went to a Giants-Cardinals game in St. Louis recently and wound up making small talk with a Red Bird’s fan next to me. The game eventually went into the tenth tied 1-1 and San Fran had two relievers warming up in the pen: Brian Wilson and Bob Howry. I turned to my new Cardinals friend and said, “If Bruce Bochy puts Wilson in we’re looking at more baseball. If he puts the black angel of death in, you’ll be sucking down a cold one enjoying a Cards’ victory in no time.” Lo and behold, Bochy put Howry in and against his first batter, he gave up a walk off to St. Louis centerfielder Colby Rasmus. Granted, Pablo Sandoval dropped a pop up in foul territory during the at bat and the umpire squeezed him on a pitch that would have struck Rasmus out, but nobody is better at blowing late inning games than Howry. Cub fans, you know what I’m talking about.

Those are my ten…which players infuriate you the most?

- The Twins placed RHP Scott Baker on the 15-day DL with right shoulder stiffness, which means Francisco Liriano will start for Minnesota on Opening Day. (Rotoworld.com)

- It appears that Huston Street has officially beat out Manny Corpas for the right to be named the Rockies’ Opening Day closer. (Denver Post)

- Giants’ closer Brian Wilson (who saved 41 games last season and made the All-Star Game) hasn’t pitched in eight days because of an infected middle finger and could miss Opening Day. San Fran would likely choose either Jeremy Affeldt or Bob Howry to close in Wilson isn’t ready by next Tuesday. (San Francisco Chronicle)

- Cardinals’ third basemen Troy Glaus might not return before the All-Star Break as he continues to rehab following shoulder surgery. (St. Louis Dispatch)

- The Reds are showing interest in outfielder Gary Sheffield, who was released by the Tigers last week. (Reds.mlb.com)

- Fernando Rodney has been named the Tigers’ closer for Opening Day, although manager Jim Leyland indicated that Brandon Lyon could still get the opportunity to close games early on. (Detroit Free Press)

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Offseason Movement: The Cubs were seemingly hosed by the Indians in a trade that sent ultra-utility player Mark DeRosa to Cleveland in exchange for minor league pitching prospects Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub, none of which were viewed as top 10 prospects in the Tribe’s organization. But maybe one of those youngsters will emerge as a quality arm down the road and DeRosa’s contract does expire at the end of the season so at least the Cubs got something for him. Chicago also added volatile outfielder Milton Bradley, reliever Kevin Gregg and pitcher Aaron Heilman, who will move to the bullpen after losing out to Sean Marshall this spring for the Cubs’ fifth spot in the rotation.

Top Prospect: Josh Vitters, 3B
This club is loaded with quality prospects, including reliever Jeff Samardzija, shortstop Ryan Flaherty and outfielder Tyler Colvin. But Vitters appears to be the best of group, with his excellent plate approach, outstanding hand-eye coordination and natural swing. Thus far in Single-A, Vitters is hitting .357 and slugging .529 in 70 at bats. At only 19, he still has a ways to go before he’ll make his big league debut, but Vitters appears to have quite a future ahead of him.

The Big Question: Will the bullpen be the Achilles Heel?
The Cubs allowed Kerry Wood to jettison to Cleveland in the offseason, but signed free agent traded for Kevin Gregg to compete with 26-year old Carlos Marmol for the right to be the club’s closer this season. Manager Lou Piniella is expected to announce who his closer will be soon, but if he’s basing the decision on spring performance, Gregg should earn the job. That said, Marmol clearly has the more electric stuff, but has been erratic and inconsistent when given opportunities. Prized prospect Jeff Samardzija is also expected to see time as a late-inning reliever, but he’s been brutal so far in spring training and might need more seasoning in Triple-A. Long relief is where this club could have issues, as Luis Vizcaino (27 ER in 46 IP last year), Chad Gaudin and Angel Guzman (6.00 ERA in 96 IP) all come with their flaws. But free agent signing Aaron Heilman (acquired via trade with Seattle) should help in that category and hey, at least there’s no chance of Bob Howry making any appearances after he signed with San Francisco in the offseason. The offense and starting pitching is solid, but perhaps the key to the Cubs’ success this year will rest upon the arms in the bullpen.

Outlook: I’ll save Cub fans the aggravation of reading another preview dedicated to curses, Billy goats and failed expectations. I’m sure they’ve already gotten enough of that from every other sports site and blog on the net. The bottom line is that the Cubs are built to win now and have one of the strongest rotations in the NL, led by a three-headed monster in Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden. The lineup is also one of the most balanced in baseball and while losing Mark DeRosa hurt, the signing of Milton Bradley (when healthy and taking meds) added a quality bat to the middle of the order. The bullpen has some question marks, but as long as Kevin Gregg or Carlos Marmol are reliable in the closers role, then the Cubs should win the NL Central and make another postseason appearance. Once they’re there, who knows? This club hasn’t shown the mental fortitude to win in the postseason but that doesn’t mean it can’t do it this year. As long as guys like Aramis Ramirez, Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano continue to produce, the Cubbies will once again give themselves the opportunity to win a World Series title.

Projection: 1st NL Central

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Offseason Movement: The G-Men added a solid piece to their starting rotation in former Cy Young-winner Randy Johnson. The club also signed free agent Edgar Renteria to play shortstop, and added Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry in hopes to strengthen their bullpen. Rich Aurilia and Josh Phelps were given minor league contracts, although Phelps was already reassigned to minor league camp.

Top Prospect: Madison Bumgarner, LHP
Who would have thought that the farm system that produced Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Brian Wilson and Jonathan Sanchez would have a pitcher as its top prospect? While catcher Buster Posey, corner infielder Angel Villalona and starter Tim Alderson deserve mention here, Bumgarner earns the Giants’ top prospect tag for his “ace” potential. While he isn’t expected to take Lincecum’s No. 1 spot any time soon, Bumgarner could turn out to be a San Fran’s No. 2 in the next couple seasons. He dominated his first full year in the minors after being selected in the first round out of high school, posting a 1.46 ERA in A-ball. He has a fastball that reaches 97 mph and once he develops his secondary pitches, Bumgarner should make his first big league appearance in no time.

The Big Question: Will this team score any runs?
Out of all the teams in baseball last year, only the Padres (637) scored fewer runs than the Giants (640). And all San Fran did to reshape their roster was give youngsters Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa full-time roles. While Sandoval has a ton of potential, he is largely unproven and along with Bengie Molina and Fred Lewis, he comprises one of the weakest 3-4-5 middle-of-the-orders in baseball. From top to bottom, the Giants once again have one of the worst offenses in the league and unless they can add a big bat at the trade deadline, they’ll likely play in a ton of low scoring ballgames this year.

Outlook: This team actually has scattered potential, but they’re just not there yet. 2008 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is already one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball and it seems like his popularity has grown overnight. Randy Johnson, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez join Lincecum to form one of the better young rotations in the National League. Unfortunately, they’ll once again have little to no run support because GM Brian Sabean has ignored drafting top position players for years. Instead, he has chosen to overpay for guys like Aaron Rowand, and therefore must hope that youngsters Pablo Sandoval, Fred Lewis, Travis Ishikawa and Kevin Frandsen have breakout years. Randy Winn, Edgar Renteria and Bengie Molina are fine role players, but they’re being counted on as the core of the Giants’ lineup, which limits this club’s potential. The starting pitching will once again be solid and the bullpen actually looks decent with closer Brian Wilson leading the way, followed by free agent addition Jeremy Afeldt and promising youngsters Alex Hinshaw and Sergio Romo. But the lineup will once again hold the Giants back this year and unless Sabean has a trick up his sleeve at the trade deadline, San Fran will have to wait another year or two before they’re competitive again.

Projection: 3rd NL West