Baseball's highest-paid bench players

Carl Crawford's seven-year, $142-million deal signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2010 has proved to be a cautionary tale for all major league front offices.

The four-time All-Star has failed to reach the Midsummer Classic since inking the deal and has averaged just 90 games in each of the past five seasons.

Now property of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Crawford was informed earlier this week that he will serve as the club's fourth outfielder this season despite being the Dodgers' third highest-paid player on a team with the most expensive payroll in the majors.

Crawford isn't alone however as the majors is littered with high-priced players who have slid down the depth chart:

Josh Hamilton, Rangers

2016 Salary: $28.41 million

Hamilton is the highest-paid position player in all of baseball but the 34-year-old isn't even assured everyday at-bats once he's activated from the disabled list in May from a reoccurring knee injury. It's unlikely Hamilton even sees much time in the outfield when he does return. Texas inked lifetime shortstop Ian Desmond to a one-year deal last month with ambitions of converting him to left due to questions surrounding Hamilton's durability. Luckily for the Rangers, they're only on the hook for roughly $5 million of the remaining $57 million on Hamilton's deal.

Ryan Howard, Phillies

2016 Salary: $25 million

Howard continues to be the elephant in the room in Philadelphia. The former National League MVP enters what will likely be his 12th and final year with the Phillies, who hold a $23-million team option with a $10-million buyout for 2017. While Howard won't completely be limited in a reserve role, manager Pete Mackanin has suggested that the 36-year-old will share at-bats with Darin Ruf, making Howard the most expensive platoon-bat in baseball.

Carl Crawford, Dodgers

2016 Salary: $21.6 million

The Dodgers plan to roll with the trio of Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, and Yasiel Puig in the outfield to start the season, leaving Crawford on the bench. Injuries have been the main culprit for the former speedster's demise. Crawford had surrounded so much of his game based on speed, stealing 45 or more bases seven times before signing in Boston, but has totaled just 71 since. Though he'll still likely receive plenty of at-bats given Puig's injury history and Pederson's struggles against lefties, it's a steep fall from grace for one of the game's former elites.

Nick Swisher, Braves

2016 Salary: $15 million ($5M paid by Indians)

Playing time will certainly be hard to come by for Swisher in Atlanta as the rebuilding Braves have no shortage of younger outfield options. Limited to just 76 games last season due to knee injuries, Swisher's most likely source for playing time will be at first base when Freddie Freeman receives the rare day off. With one-third of the $15 million owed to Swisher this season paid by the Cleveland Indians, the Braves might opt to eat the remaining money should they not find a taker for the 35-year-old.

Coco Crisp, Athletics

2016 Salary: $11 million

Oakland spent its offseason loading up on outfielders Khris Davis and Chris Coghlan, continuing to minimize the likely playing time for Crisp. The 36-year-old is in the final year of his deal and it's unlikely he'll reach the required plate appearances needed to trigger his $13-million vesting option for 2017. Numerous injuries, including a degenerative neck condition, have led Crisp to appear in just 170 games over the past two seasons, hitting .231/.319/.333. The Athletics' second-highest paid player may only see at-bats as the team's DH in what could be his final year in the majors.