Comparing contracts

12/7/2003

Three years ago, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez signed whopping free agent deals, Rodriguez getting a record $252 million for 10 years with the Rangers, and Ramirez $160 million for eight years with the Red Sox. As the teams discuss a potential trade of the superstars, a look at their contract numbers (figures obtained by the Associated Press):

RODRIGUEZ

Signing bonus: $10m, paid in $1m installments on March 1 and Dec. 1 from 2001-05

2001: $21m ($5m of it deferred)

2002: $21m ($4m deferred)

2003: $21m ($3m deferred)

2004: $21m ($3m deferred)

2005: $25m ($4m deferred)

2006: $25m ($4m deferred)

2007: $27m ($4m deferred)

2008: $27m ($3m deferred)

2009: $27m ($3m deferred)

2010: $27m ($3m deferred)

Opt out: Rodriguez may terminate contract after 2007, 2008, or 2009 seasons.

Escalator: Team must increase salaries for 2009 and 2010 by the higher of $5m or $1m greater than the average annual value of the non-pitcher with highest annual average value.

Deferred payments: Each one paid out 10 years after the deferral (see above) at 3 percent annually.

No-trade clause: He may not be traded without his permission.

Award bonuses: MVP ($500,000); second MVP ($1m); third or more MVP ($1.5m each); MVP voting 2d-5th ($200,000); MVP voting 6th-10th ($100,000); All-Star selection/election ($100,000); most All-Star votes in league ($100,000); Baseball America, Sporting News, UPI, AP, USA Today All-Star team ($100,000); Baseball America, Sporting News, UPI, AP, USA Today MVP or player of year ($100,000); World Series MVP ($200,000); League Championship Series MVP ($150,000); Division Series MVP ($150,000); Gold Glove ($100,000); Silver Slugger ($100,000).

RAMIREZ

Signing bonus: $16m, paid over five years ($6m in 2001, $3m each in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and $1m in 2005.)

2001: $13m ($3m deferred)

2002: $15.5m ($4m deferred)

2003: $18m ($4m deferred)

2004: $20.5m ($4m deferred)

2005: $20m ($4m deferred)

2006: $19m ($4m deferred)

2007: $18m ($4m deferred)

2008: $20m ($4m deferred)

2009: $20m (team option)

2010: $20m (team option)

Award bonuses: All-Star selection ($75,000), Silver Slugger ($75,000), League Championship Series MVP ($150,000), World Series MVP ($150,000), Most Valuable Player ($200,000), MVP second place ($125,000), MVP third place ($100,000), MVP fourth place ($75,000), MVP fifth place ($50,000)

Relocation bonus: $1 million if traded

No-trade protection: None, but he gets a complete or limited no-trade clause matching any the Red Sox give to any other player

Charity: Ramirez will donate $1 million from his contract to Boston-area charities aiding Hispanic youth.

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