FanPost

Marlins. Salary. Amazed.

I'm braving the diary semi-embargo to post what I think are some pretty amazing bits of information I've uncovered after reading about the Marlins/Tigers trade. To celebrate the occasion, I will use capital letters.

Lots of thanks to Cot's, by the way. That really is a fantastic site.

First of all, with Miggy and Dontrelle gone, the Marlins' team payroll for 2008 has been estimated at about $10 million. In fact, it's my understanding that it would only be that high if they (as expected) put recent acquisition Andrew Miller in their starting rotation, rather than in the minor leagues, which would cause him to be paid $1M+ because he signed a major-league contract when he was drafted. (Bonus amazing fact before I get to the main amazing fact section: at $1M+, Miller, who was pitching for his college team less than two years ago, would be the highest paid player on their team; in fact, I believe his salary would be more than double the second-highest.)

So. A team playing for $10M. Here come the amazing facts:

  1. Here is the complete list of MLB teams that will NOT pay at least $10M to ONE PLAYER in 2008: Marlins (obviously), Nats, Rays, Pirates. That's it. That's the list. Also, the Pirates barely make it, as they're paying $9.5M to Matty Mo. The Twins would be added if they traded Santana.
  2. Here is a list of just some of the players who will be taking home more than $10M in 2008, which, I'll reiterate in complete shock, is MORE THAN THE ENTIRE MARLINS TEAM: Mike Hampton ($15M), Carl Pavano ($11M), Richie Sexson ($14M), Billy Wagner ($10.5M), Pat Burrell ($14M), J.D. Drew ($14.5M), Jose Contreras ($10M), Pudge Rodriguez ($13M). Julio Lugo just misses, at $9M.
  3. The Yankees could field almost an entire team with players each making $10M. Here's the list of their everyday players who don't make $10M: Robby Cano and whoever takes the 1b/dh spot Giambi isn't filling. They also have three SPs and a closer making $10M+. So, in a game in an NL park, the Yanks could start Pettitte, play Pavano at 2b (because they might as well get something out of him), use Mussina in middle relief, and have Rivera close, and they wouldn't play a single guy making less than eight figures.
  4. Although I don't have (read: Cot's doesn't have) the exact year-by-year breakdown of Alex Rodriguez's new contract, the 10-year, $275 million deal means that, on average, and on a game-by-game basis, A-Rod will have made more than $10M by the end of the 59th game of the season, which typically falls in early June.