Inside the World Series Multi-Year Contracts

The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are organizations built for sustained, long-term winning. Both teams demonstrate the art of success via the long-term contract. Not just signing big names, but wrapping up big names and young talent for years. Examine closely the two teams left in October and you will notice that neither have “the one that got away.” We’ll start with the Phillies. Ryan Howard won $15 million in arbitration over the off-season, Chase Utley is under contract for over $11 million until 2013 and Jimmy Rollins makes 8 million until at least 2010 with a club option for 2011. Not a bad 3-4-5 to build around through at least 2011. Only the New York Yankees would have signed Jorge Posada to a four-year, $52 million contract at age 35 or Mariano Rivera to a three-year, $45 million contract at age 38. But they did and both players have been huge in October for the Yanks. And, don’t forget that Derek Jeter just hit his 20th post season home run, why? Beca...