I’m working on the first of my Remaking the Yankees articles, which will be up either today or tomorrow. Right now I just wanted to update the Yanks’ contract page in the wake of their signings of Aaron Boone, reliever Tom Gordon and futility infielder Enrique Wilson. I don’t have the exact breakdown of the 2-year, $7.25 million Gordon deal, so I’m going to assume it’s $3.5 and $3.75 mil for now. I also forgot to include reliever Chris Hammond and minor leaguers Drew Henson and Adrian Hernandez in my previous list.
According to various papers around the country (or if you believe everything you read), deals are pending for outfielder Gary Sheffield (3 years/$36-38 mil) and relievers Paul Quantrill (2 years/$6 mil), Felix Heredia (2 years/$3.5 mil), and Gabe White (2 years/$4.8 mil). Yes, that’s three lefties. Chris Hammond, please pick up the white paging phone…
So here we go again, with figures via the essential MLB Contracts Page. These numbers have been calculated to include prorated signing bonuses; year-by-year team totals include buyouts but not team options:
2004: Jeter $18, Mussina $14, Williams $12, Giambi $10, Posada $9, Contreras $9, Rivera $8.89, Matsui $7, Weaver $6.25, Boone $5.75, Karsay $5, Gordon $3.5, Lieber $2.45, Hammond $2.4, Henson $2.2, A. Hernandez 1.0, Wilson 0.7. Total: $117.14 million2005: Jeter $19, Mussina $17, Williams $12, Posada $12, Giambi $11, Weaver $9.25, Contreras $8, Matsui $8, Lieber $8 team option/$0.25 buyout, Karsay $5. Henson $3.8, Gordon $3.75, Hammond $3.0/0.2.Total: $109.25 million
2006: Jeter $20, Giambi $18, Mussina $17, Williams $15/$3.5, Posada $13.5, Contreras $9, Karsay $6.5/$1.25. Henson $6.0. Total: $88.25 million
2007: Jeter $21, Giambi $21, Mussina $17/$1.5, Posada $12/$4. Total: $47.5 million
2008: Jeter $21, Giambi $21. Total: $42 million
2009: Jeter $21, Giambi $22/$5. Total: 26 million