9 Mets Making Less Than Bobby Bonilla In 2015
It's July 1.
WFAN radio turns a year older, NBA and NHL clubs are allowed to negotiate with free agents, and Bobby Bonilla just got another big check (direct deposit, maybe) from the New York Mets.
Some background: The Mets bought out Bonilla's contract after the 1999 season, during which he played 60 games, and agreed to pay him $1.193 million every first of July for 25 straight years starting in 2011. (He was owed around $5.9 million at the time of the deferred compensation deal.) Additionally, CBS Sports reported two years ago that New York split the bill with the Baltimore Orioles on a second arrangement that pays Bonilla $500,000 per year for 25 years.
To celebrate Bobby Bo's annual payday, we've put together a list of nine players (there are more, but we got tired) who will make less from the Mets in 2015:
Matt Harvey, $614.12K
The ace of the Mets' staff, Harvey started the 2013 All-Star Game for the National League and missed the entire following season due to Tommy John surgery. Nobody sells more tickets for the franchise. "The Dark Knight," like many of the younger players on this list, hasn't yet reached arbitration-eligible status, meaning the Mets are getting him at a bargain. He won't be on this list next year, guaranteed.
Juan Lagares, $528.7K
Yes, Lagares signed a fat extension, but he's still playing for his original number this season. He patrols center field with a Gold Glove and batted .281 in 2014.
Jacob deGrom, $556.88K
Oh, just the reigning Rookie of the Year, pitching to a 2.15 ERA in his second season.
Noah Syndergaard & Steven Matz, $1.015M combined
These rookies will be anchoring the Mets' rotation for years to come. But they won't be in the Bonilla ballpark until arbitration -- and that's not coming any time soon.
Jeurys Familia, $523.92K
The Mets closer has 21 saves and a 1.23 ERA. Pretty good.
Buddy Carlyle, $725K
The 37-year-old reliever broke into the majors in 1999, Bonilla's last season on the Mets.
Travis d'Arnaud, $525.42K
The Mets' starting catcher (when he's healthy) will be due a big arbitration bump in 2017. Until then, this .296-hitter will be eating at Arby's.
John Mayberry Jr., $1.45M
Wait, isn't Bonilla only getting a $1.2 million payday? Sure, but factor in the second deal just north of $250,000 and he's making Mayberry money.
All salary numbers come via baseball-reference.com and Spotrac.com.