What Else Is In A MLB Contract?

Unfortunately contracts are how players keep score. Papelbon is one of those players that wants to max-out his earnings as a player, even if that means a series of one year deals either through arbitration or agreements with the team. In his mind if he has his normal season he will be due a significant raise over what he made this year, which probably wasn't part of a multi-year deal with the Sox. some players like Youk and Pedroia aren't looking to max out their deals and enjoy the security that their deals offered. Paps wants to test free agency and isn't shy about taking his chances in arbitration. He has come out and said that it obviously isn't about the actual money itself but about where he stands among his peers contract wise. Unfortunately it is what it is...money in their contract is how some of the upper eschelon players keep score. Thankfully most of the Sox are not that way, at least the non-Boras guys (Paps is NOT a Boras guy I believe).

I also believe that this is the second year in a row that Paps got a record for his one year deal for a closer of his service time. So he is acheiving his goals.

I've always admired guys who sign one year contracts. It takes a lot of faith in your ability to be the best and it always keeps them in a contract year. Takes a lot of guts IMO.

In 1963 Jim Bouton was a twenty game winner. Before the next season he was offered a cut in pay. The GM told him he was supposed to win twenty pitching for the Yankees. Today, what kind of raise would 21-7 with 249 innings get from arbitration in a second season?

quote:

Originally posted by Doughnutman:
I've always admired guys who sign one year contracts. It takes a lot of faith in your ability to be the best and it always keeps them in a contract year. Takes a lot of guts IMO.

I understand what you're saying, but it sure doesn't seem to be very smart - especially as a pitcher where your value is totally dependant on the health of your arm.

MLB contracts are guaranteed, so it seems a whole lot smarter to work a competitive multi-year deal that's guaranteed. Those guts won't do you a lot of good if you blow out your elbow this year and nobody offers you a contract next year.

I didn't say it was smarter.

Just takes a lot of guts to do when they are offering multi year deals. I guess it depends on your personality and personal level of risk. I would take the multi year deal in a heartbeat.