12/21/24
December 13, 2012
The Rangers said they weren't given a chance to match. I don't think they would have matched it anyway.
It's hard to see the Rangers winning the AL West next season, but over the long-term I think the Angels are going to suffer because of their enormous payroll.
posted by rcade at 04:07 PM on December 13, 2012
That is at least a year and $40M+ more than I expected him to get. I thought he would max out around 4/$80M if he was lucky.
A number of commentators have touched on this during the offseason, but there is a coming wave of salary inflation (actually, it has already started) due to the massive TV deals clubs are signing and likely will sign. The two LA teams are clearly examples of this; the Rangers were thought to be spending more in reliance on the new TV deal they have that kicks in sometime in the next couple of years, but the LA teams seem to be in a different stratosphere. While luxury taxes are going to get steeper in years to come, if [(gates/stadium revenue + local TV revenue + MLB merchandising and national TV rev share + other revenue) - (payroll + other expenses) > luxury tax] and the owners really don't care about just how much of a profit they turn, then we may see a whole different era of haves and have nots where the spend/resource disparity between the top and the bottom only widens.
posted by holden at 06:11 PM on December 13, 2012
I wonder how Jered Weaver feels now about giving the Angels a home discount. His five-year, $85 million contract is puny compared to the subsequent deals his team reached.
posted by rcade at 06:22 PM on December 13, 2012
Torii Hunter was none too pleased by the signing
posted by MeatSaber at 07:04 PM on December 13, 2012
How much will the Angels have to pay Hamilton's babysitter?
posted by dyams at 07:38 PM on December 13, 2012
After the Rangers fans essentially booed Hamilton out of town this is very nice to see.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:30 PM on December 13, 2012
Can't wait to hear Hamilton tell how god told him to sign with the Angels (cause, you know, angels...).
posted by justgary at 09:54 PM on December 13, 2012
If he was from a snake handling church, he might have signed with Arizona.
posted by beaverboard at 10:31 PM on December 13, 2012
YYM: I admit that booing was harsh. But don't you think the Angels fans would boo Hamilton in the same situation?
posted by rcade at 10:34 PM on December 13, 2012
Comment #14 says it all:
The Great Los Angeles Payroll Dick Measuring Contest of 2012.