Despite the recession that has plagued our economy, Major League Baseball players have not stopped signing multi-million dollar contracts that will surely cause some baseball officials their jobs...

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 Despite the recession that has plagued our economy, Major League Baseball players have not stopped signing multi-million dollar contracts that will surely cause some baseball officials their jobs if these players do not at least come close to living up to their hype. In New York City, Yankees owner George (the Boss) Steinbrenner & his family have once again rubbed dirt in the faces of the rest of baseball’s owners. Having already signed Ace Pitcher C.C. Sabathia to a 7 year 161 million dollar contract (my previous article was off by a million) & former Toronto pitcher A.J. Burnett to a 5 year 82.5 million dollar contract, the Yankees pulled one over on the Red Sox eyes who pulled out of the Mark Texeira sweepstakes. The Yankees signed the power hitting 1st baseman to an 8 year 180 million dollar contract.

What this translates to is; the Yankees have signed three of the top four free agents in the market. The Yankees have also mulled resigning their own veteran left handed pitcher, Andy Petitte to a one year 10 million dollar offer. Another option for the Bronx Bombers is former Milwaukee Brewer (& former Sabathia teammate) Ben Sheets. 

 Across town, the New York Mets; still basking in the glory of signing record setting relief pitcher Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez (who set a Major League record for Saves with 62) and aquiring flame-throwing reliver J.J. Putz in a trade have seemed to back off when it comes to signing any more high priced free agents. A huge reason for thei rinactivity can more than likely be attributed to a man named, Bernard Madoff. Madoff, the owner of a scam of a company called, “Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities”; is a 70 year old Wall Street Veteran who bilked among others, Mets owner Fred Wilpon out of millions of dollars. Included in that group are football’s Philadelphia Eagles owner, Norman Braman as well as the town of Fairfield, Connecticut; a rich town right outside of my home town of Bridgeport.

Coupled with the money that Madoff took from the sports team owners, the town of  Fairfield has it’s former and present employees worried about whether or not they’ll receive their pensions in the future.

Recently, I watched Mets General Manager, Omar Minaya on TV being interviewed by Radio Host Mike Francesa. During the interview, free agent Manny Ramirez’ name came up. i wathced how Minaya’s eyes lit up as he did not hide his affection for a player of Ramirez’ stature. However, it was plain to see that his hands were tied and without saying a word (Francesa did when Omar left), it was evident that Mets ownership was not in his corner when it came to signing a player who would command a hefty salary to play in his home town.

While the Mets are asleep at the wheel, their arch-rival Philadelphia Phillies signed a veteran outfielder that the Mets coveted for quite some time by the name of Raul Ibanez. To rub salt in the Mets wounds, the Phillies young ace, Cole Hammel referred to the Mets as “choke artist’s” in a Radio interview, thus creating more fighting words between the two division rivals. While the Phillies still boast two of the games top African-American players in former MVP’s Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins. Planning to use a left field platoon of veteran journeyman Fernando Tatis and youngster Daniel Murphy and concussion prone Ryan Churchin right, the Mets will more than likely lack the necessary fire-power to compete with teams like the Yankees and Phillies.

In another move, the Braves management nearly blew a gasket when shortstop Rafael Furcal re-signed with the L.A. Dodgers after allegedly making a verbal agreement to play for the Braves, the 1st team that Furcal played for.

The Houston Astros took a chance on a former ace by signing lefty ace Mike Hampton while the Phillies resigned 46 year old lefty Jamie Moyer and the Cleveland Indians signed former Chicago Cubs closer, Kerry Wood. Stay tuned for more free agent signings as pitchers Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, Sheets and Oliver Perez should be touching down in a town near you.  

This story is filed under: Sports