For the record, he got $6,000 (the then-major league minimum salary) to pitch in 1962. His contract was offered to him on Opening Day, just before the National Anthem was played for that game. He was told to “sign it!” because all rookie ballplayers were given $6,000.
BUT
THAT WAS a half-century ago. Times truly have changed with baseball’s economics
– and not just because the major league minimum now is $555,000 for a rookie ballplayer.
The
Chicago White Sox have got their share of national attention for the contract
they gave to outfielder Eloy Jimenez – one of the kid ballplayers whom the
White Sox are banking on to become stars who revitalize the ballclub into
champions.
Jimenez
this week signed his first contract to play major league ball – he’ll likely be
with the team when they have their April 4 Opening Day against the Seattle
Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Yet
Jimenez didn’t even have to think in terms of the major league “minimum” in
terms of pay. He got a six-year deal, with two more seasons if the White Sox want
them, with pay being $43 million (or more like $70 million-plus, if the White
Sox add on those extra seasons).
Richest White Sox even before 1st game |
IT
ACTUALLY QUALIFIES for the most expensive, longest-term deal ever paid out by
the White Sox to a single ballplayer. And he has yet to play in his first major
league ballgame.
Yet
this isn’t about spending money. It’s about saving it.
Because
the White Sox are convinced that Jimenez will be such a big star that he’ll be
capable of demanding even higher payouts in upcoming years. So by tossing out “big
bucks” now, they’re hoping they can commit him to less than the “bigger bucks”
they’d have to pay in the future.
Of
course, Jimenez could wind up injuring himself, or finding some other glitch in
his game that keeps him from becoming all he can be. In fact, the more cynical
of White Sox fandom are convinced that’s exactly what will happen.
Strategy worked for Indians |
However,
by the time 2001 came around, the contracts turned out to be less-than-market
value. All those stars wound up ditching Cleveland for other ball clubs – including
eventually Jim Thome doing a stint with the White Sox themselves.
So
it will be intriguing to see just what becomes of the youthful talent of the
White Sox. Are we bound to see baseball bargains the next few seasons that will
make Sox fandom happy? Particularly since Jimenez was the one-time Chicago Cubs
minor leaguer whom the Sox will be able to claim a steal!
Or
is there going to be continued griping, with fans finding the most exciting aspect
of going to the ballpark being the new popcorn laced with bacon to be served at
concession stands this season?
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