Cabrera's Deal

by mike42 on Mar 2, 2006 3:22 PM EST in News Comment 6 comments

The Marlins agreed to terms with Miguel Cabrera today, or at least that's what I'm telling myself. In all likelihood, the Marlins (as is their right) unilaterally imposed a new contract on Cabrera. He will be paid $472,000 this season.

Yes, for us regular folks, that's a lot of money. But keep in mind that the major league minimum this season is $327,000. Last year, an average major leaguer earned nearly $2.5 million. Unfortunately for Mr. Cabrera, he is below average in service time, despite being well above average in playing ability. In major league baseball, you'd rather have the reverse of those two things (at least if you like a fat wallet).

To add further insult to the situation:

His contract calls for a $296,000 salary if he's in the minors.

I'm going to assume that's standard language for a contract. I also don't even want to think about what circumstances might cause the Marlins to put Cabrera in the minors; that's a terrifying thought.

Cabrera has been very quiet (at least publicly) on the salary issue. His agent has been very decent too. Per the Herald this morning, they were only "looking" for $450,000 for this season. Granted, that's surely not what Cabrera or his agent think he's worth, but it's what they thought they could get.

Still, I can't help but think that today's contract puts Cabrera one step closer to finding a home elsewhere just as soon as he's eligible for free agency in a few years. For a frame of reference (and it's tough to find a good one, given Cabrera's excellence in the field and mid-year callup in 2003), Albert Pujols was rewarded wtih a $900,000 contract for the 2003 season, after stellar campaigns in 2001 and 2002. Without accounting for inflation, it seems that the Marlins (after two and a half years of Cabrera's services) value Cabrera about half as much as the Cardinals did way back when. Yes, I know that's not a "fair" comparison. But there really isn't a fair comparison to make. My point here is that the Marlins are abusing this system which allows them to decide the salaries of their less experienced players.

Miguel's day will come. Just don't expect to see him in a Marlins uniform when he's enjoying his first big money contract.

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His day is coming

(OK, I'm still trying to figure out how to format things on this system but here's the snippet which offers Miguel's own words on the subject.)

From the Palm Beach Post, by Joe Capozzi:

"Later, Cabrera smiled and said he had no complaints about the $472,000 contract the Marlins gave him for this season, even though he led the team in all offensive categories in 2005. He made $370,000 last year.

That's more money than Cabrera ever has made, but it's paltry considering that, even at age 22, he is among the game's elite players.

Cabrera is at the mercy of the Marlins, whose pay scale for players in their first three full seasons is among the lowest in baseball.

But Cabrera -- who finished fifth in the National League MVP voting last season after batting.323 with 33 home runs and 116 RBI -- knows he'll get a seven-figure pay raise next year when he becomes eligible for arbitration.

"My time is coming, you know?'' he said with a smile to reporters after the Marlins defeated Baltimore 6-4 in their Grapefruit League opener. He then departed for Clearwater to join the Venezuelan team for World Baseball Classic workouts."

by Dr F on Mar 3, 2006 2:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Really?

...the Marlins, whose pay scale for players in their first three full seasons is among the lowest in baseball.

Among the lowest? That seems to imply that the Fish have company. Who else is with them? I can't think of anyone. Even the Pirates rewarded Jason Bay. The D-Backs have been generous with Brandon Webb. Maybe the Royals are as tight as the Marlins. It's just been awhile since they've had anyone deserving.

Dr. F - Your formatting is fine. I don't think the site allows most users to use formatting in comments. You'd have to write a diary to use any HTML formatting.

"Cherish the time." -- R.A.M.

by mike42 on Mar 3, 2006 2:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And I hate to say it

But I will be sick if he gets hurt. The Marlins owe him a check if he does. They don't legally. But if they were honorable they know they owe the man money. He alone has to be responsible for a big chunk of their ticket sales this year.

"Cherish the time." -- R.A.M.

by mike42 on Mar 3, 2006 2:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rhetorical device

Foreshadow: to indicate by signs; to hint at some event or act or realization to come. Synonyms: bode, portend, auspicate, prognosticate, omen, presagebetoken, augurforetell, prefigure, forecast, and predict.

Sono il factotum della citta'

by fishfan24 on Mar 3, 2006 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs