5 of the most disappointing players of the 2015 season

With the end of the 2015 season just over a week away, a handful of players' struggles are mercifully nearing a close.

Here are five players with big names, big contracts, and big expectations who were also big disappointments this season.

Anibal Sanchez, Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers didn't produce the results that were expected of them, and Anibal Sanchez didn't help their cause with one of his worst seasons in the bigs. The 31-year-old right-hander, who earned $16.8 million, struggled to a career-high 4.99 ERA while giving up 29 long balls - the most of his career. Sanchez had issues with his throwing shoulder, which may have affected his performance, and has been shut down for the remainder of the season.

Jimmy Rollins, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jimmy Rollins' 15-year career in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform came to an end in the offseason when the Los Angeles Dodgers traded former first-rounder Zach Eflin and pitching prospect Tom Windle for what they thought would be a productive starting shortstop. Rollins hasn't produced in his first - and potentially only - season in Chavez Ravine. The 36-year-old is hitting .221/.282/.353 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs and has lost playing time to top prospect Corey Seager. With free agency on the horizon and Seager's emergence, Rollins' stint with the Dodgers may be a short one.

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies/Los Angeles Dodgers

Chase Utley, another Phillies mainstay from the 2008 World Series champions, endured the roughest season of his career. He had ankle issues and a .217/.284/.333 hitting line with five home runs and 30 RBIs before being traded to the Dodgers in August. Things haven't improved since moving to the City of Angels, as he's hit just .210/.301/.390 with three home runs and seven RBIs for the contending Dodgers. With a vesting option for next season that won't kick in, this may be the end of the road for the 36-year-old.

Adam LaRoche, Chicago White Sox

Signing Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25-million contract in the offseason was eerily reminiscent of the Chicago White Sox signing former designated hitter Adam Dunn. Although the term for LaRoche's deal was half as long as Dunn's, the results have been comparable. LaRoche, who was expected to provide Chicago with pop, has struggled to a .211/.298/.347 line with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs, his lowest totals since 2011 when he played 43 games. Dunn turned things around in the second year of his contract, and the White Sox can only hope LaRoche will follow suit.

Pablo Sandoval, Boston Red Sox

The Panda's first year in Beantown has been anything but spectacular. Since signing a five-year, $100-million deal with the Boston Red Sox to be their starting third baseman, Pablo Sandoval has hit a career-worst .245/.292/.366 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs while playing poor defense, as evidenced by his minus-11 defensive runs saved (per FanGraphs). Combine that performance with the resurfacing of questions about his conditioning, and Sandoval's big contract could be loathsome for years to come.