Mets are unfairly judged yearly on 'Bobby Bonilla Day'
Like clockwork, when the calendar hits July 1, the baseball world collectively gets together to mock the New York Mets celebrating the now-infamous "Bobby Bonilla Day," when the former six-time All-Star receives a big fat check despite last playing more than two decades ago.
However, even though the Mets are paying Bonilla $1.19 million annually until 2035, they're far from the only MLB club locked into paying a player long after they've left the team and the sport.
Bonilla was no slouch, a multiple-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and World Series Champion. Still, several more household names make the list in the world of deferred money deals — for example, Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Griffey was the fourth-highest-paid player on the Cincinnati Reds payroll this year and will make $3.6 million annually from 2009 to 2024. Meanwhile, A-Rod still owed deferred money from a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers, which is gaining 2 percent interest while paying him $9 million a year.
There are plenty of more recent examples as well. Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension in January. With $75 million in deferred money, the Red Sox will pay Devers until 2043. Also, another Met, Max Scherzer, is cleaning up from two teams. Scherzer is not only making a $43.3 million salary with New York, but the Washington Nationals cut Scherzer a check for $15 million every July 1, and they'll do so until 2028.
While there's no arguing that other teams have fallen victim to the dreaded deferred contract, Bonilla's is still eye-popping. On Saturday, Bonilla received his 13th payment, having earned $15.5 million so far with roughly $13 million to go. But, as mentioned above, baseball has plenty of similar instances. Although, this time next year, when the first day of July rolls around, we'll talk about Bonilla and the Mets again.
Take a deep breath, everyone — only 12 more years to go.
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