The average MLB player salary has jumped over 13% in the last two years and it is interesting to see where all that money is going and not going. These are the Top Ten most interesting salaries and payrolls in MLB.
10. Carlos Beltran, NYM - $18,622,809
Never has a player made so much money off of a month and a half of solid baseball than Beltran. His potential is outrageous, but the Puerto Rican has not lived up to his monstrous contract. Beltran can either look like the best player in the league or simply over matched. Not a good attribute to have when your making over 18 mil a year.
9. Jim Thome, CHW - $15,666,666
This is only an interesting contract because how poorly Thome is playing this year. Without a doubt he has lived up to his money most years but the aging slugger has lost a bit of bat speed and is not at the same value as before. GM’s should try to front end contracts so they aren’t left with 15-20 mil dollar aging liabilities like Thome appears to have become.
8. Jason Giambi, NYY - $23,428,571
2nd on the MLB money list, the one time star has been in the middle of the steroid controversy and has seen his skill deteriorate exponentially since his vision started going bad a couple years ago. The money he makes to his production is utterly embarrassing.
7. Prince Fielder, MIL - $670,000
This is kind of sad how the Brewers are treating Fielder. The man hit 50 HR last year with 119 RBI. I know you’re the Brewers but either lock his ass up or trade him for some young MLB ready talent. The problem is that not many teams are looking for a 1B right now…good luck with that Milwaukee.
6. Carlos Quentin, CHW – 400,000
Quentin is third in the MLB in RBI with 37 and tied for sixth in the MLB with 11 HR. Not bad for an outfielder who wasn’t even supposed to make the 25 man roster. Kenny do your team a favor and pay the man as soon as he proves this isn’t a fluke.
5. Mike Hampton, ATL - $15,975,184
Is 14th on the money list and has once again not thrown a pitch all year. In his career the lefty has sucked out over 122 million dollars from various teams. Hampton hasn’t thrown a ball in a major league game since 2005, when he only pitched in 12 games.
4. Barry Zito, San Francisco - $14,500,000
The one time Cy Young Award winner is pitching like a good high school pitcher…there’s nothing really to say here that hasn’t already. Zito has just been bad.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - $43,820,598
With the 29th overall payroll in MLB the Rays have dropped the Devil and are only one game behind the 133 mil dollar payroll of the Red Sox. Every win is a new record for the Rays and they have invested wisely in their top pitcher in Scott Kazmir and best prospect in Evan Longoria. It looks likes having a top three draft pick every year does pay off…who new?
2. Florida Marlins - $21,836,500
With the 30th ranked payroll, the Marlins have some how been able to take over first place in the NL East. Talent does beat ill-placed money and the Marlins have proven that year after year. When they decide to add some expensive vets to the mix in the next couple years, look for the Marlin to once again be living in post season glory.
1. NY Yankees - $209,081,579
With the highest salary in the league, the Yankees are struggling mightily. They are the proof that overpriced, under motivated old FA’s are not the way to build a franchise. The Yanks are looking to get younger and will be losing major salaries in Giambi and Mussina, but this year is looking like a disaster.
Blatant self promotion: Check out another part of my interview with Oneri Fleita, Cubs VP of Player Personnel at the Vine Line's Cubs Club Blog. Topic of the day is Rich Hill and Kevin Hart.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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12 comments:
Solid list.
Although one could add in Frank Thomas, Jim Edmonds, Jacque Jones - all guys who are getting paid by teams that they aren't even on any more.
Or Mark Prior - it looks like San Diego is going to be paying him for nothing.
I realize that the Brewers have not made a deal yet with Prince, but at the very latest, he will get paid by the end of the year with arbitration that should get played out very similarly to what Ryan Howard dealt with this season. Other than that solid.
Phil you are correct about that, I just would hate to see him get injured and not make a dime from baseball anymore...it's unfortunate they would do that for Braun and not for Fielder...
ananymous- if you would ever give yourself a name you would be in a dead sprint for fan of the year with Mrs. Barnes and Tone...show yourself.
Those are all quality names to add as well...i was trying to show guys making about 15 mil or more and under 1 mil to show the extreme over value of some and lack there of for others.
Edmonds is making eight (two by Card, six by Padres), Thomas was making over 12 but was bought out for 8 (he did hit 65 HR the last two years combined), Jones is at 6.3 and is now in the Marlins minor league system and Prior is making 1 mil.
If you really wanna go extreme, in 2006 Chan Ho Park was being paid 15.5 mil most of which by the Rangers when he was playing for the Padres.
I would expect Fielder and Braun to make roughly the same amount, but all those top tier 2nd-3rd year guys are going to make about the same (Hanley, Braun, Tulo, Longoria(Scott P. addition))
He should I am not sure where though the Brewers F'd themselves with the Turnbow and Gagne signings. Their cap is already at 80 mil and i dont know how much more they can afford...They may trade him, I guess. How could they have screwed this up. A 24 yr old home grown talent and they could possibly lose him forever...wag of the finger the the BrewCrew
There is NO way they trade Prince Zmart, tell me when you want to put your head on straight. He is already one of the top 20 players in baseball and he's 24 years old... they will find a way
I agree! Are they gonna drop another 12 mil? How can they do this my head hurts...wait there have been talks of trading Ben Sheets, there is hope!
Good list. I think Hampton is higher if you look at history just for the total you said. Kevin Brown? Fielder will get a deal done. That city has spent too much time re-building interest in the franchise to face the devastation that would cause. I bet a week ago and Soriano would have made the list.
There's just something to be said about a player that is getting paid by one team to go and play for another...
BTW - no longer "anonymous"
John, welcome to the TTCS fam!
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