The GM's Almanac...Eric Gagne watch
Word is Eric Gagne is working out in Phoenix with the same trainer who helped Randy Johnson deal with his back problems. Those who are monitoring him say that he's in tremendous shape and the back problems are gone.
Spring Training will tell more but Gagne has reason to stay in shape. Check out that incentive-laden contract. If he stays healthy and is the Rangers closer all season, that cash register is going to be going "ka-ching!" fast and furious.
It's all based on games finished, which means being the Rangers last pitcher. Doesn't matter if it's a save or a walk-off home run.
Gagne starts out with a $6 million base and then gets an extra $75,000 for three games finished. From there, every 3-4 games finished adds more to the contract.
He gets $100,000 more at 10 games finished, then another $150,000 each for six, ten and 13 games finished.
The incentive goes up to $175,000 for 20, 23 and 26 games finished, then to $200,000 for 30, 33 and 36 games, $250,000 for 40, 43 and 46 games, and $500,000 for 50, 53 and 56 games finished.
Curiously, he only gets an extra $333,000 for 60 and 63 games finished and $334,000 for 66 games.
Gagne also gets $100,000 if he wins the Cy Young, but only $75,000 if he finished second and $50,000 for finishing third.
If he wins the Rolaids Relief Award, he gets $250,000 but $200,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $100,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth.
He gets $100,000 if he is the league MVP. Hey, Dennis Eckersley, Willie Hernandez and Rollie Fingers have all won American League MVP Awards as relievers.
Gagne gets $50,000 for World Series MVP, $25,000 for League Championship MVP, $50,000 for being an All-Star, $25,000 if he wins the Gold Glove and $100,000 if he is the Comeback Player of the Year.
Plus a suite on the road.
I always like to see an incentive-laden deal like this one. However, it seems to me that a little more emphasis should have been put on saving games. The Rangers want him to help win games here, not finish 15-3 blowout losses.
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Thank goodness the contract gives a little carrot-and-stick incentive...I agree with jc22, that there should definitely be more incentive-laden contracts. Players of the magnitude of Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and Lou Brock always worked on a one-year contract. Players get fat and lazy I feel with 3-4-5+ year contracts, and in this case with a frail re-tread coming back from major injury, a GM is very wise to offer this. IF, and I do mean IF this guy is healthy, the Rangers are in excellent shape pitching-wise. Good signing J.D.
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The key in this contract is "finishing games." If we get to May and he's not getting the job done, he won't be finishing games for long. If he's finishing them, he's going to be saving 'em.
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