MLB Franchise Notes: Rays Unable To Spend Further On Payroll

Sternberg Says Rays Can't Afford What They Have On The Field This Year

WINNING PAYS: In Philadelphia, Paul Hagen reports the Phillies' Opening Day payroll "projects to $130,844,098," which is up almost $26.7M from last season's Opening Day figure. The increase "came after subtracting the contract" of Rays DH Pat Burrell, who was the team's "highest-paid player in 2008 with a base salary" of $14M. But adding LF Raul Ibanez in free agency and "having 10 players eligible for salary arbitration, helped increase the payroll to another franchise record." P Brad Lidge's salary also went up from $5.2M to $11.5M, while 1B Ryan Howard is the team's "highest-paid player at $15[M] after getting a $5[M] bump." P Cole Hamels got an 870% increase from $500,000 to $4.35M as "part of his new 3-year contract" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/25).

NATIONAL PROBLEMS: Washington Post columnist Mike Wise said of Nationals GM Jim Bowden, "The main person responsible for building your organization was responsible for signing a 16-year-old for $1.4(M) who turned out to be 20 years old. He also presided over three incredibly bad losing seasons when your new ownership took over. Let’s not forget your past counts. He had a drunk driving charge three years ago. … How many chances does Jim Bowden get?” Wise noted he is “not calling for his job,” but said if Bowden is not fired, and the “focus is not on your team and not on the people you paid money to get, as an organization you are in trouble” (“Washington Post Live,” CSN Mid-Atlantic, 2/24).

LUCRATIVE HOMECOMING: The AP's Gregg Bell reported Mariners LF Ken Griffey Jr., who signed a one-year deal with the team last week, "would make $5[M] if the Mariners have a paid attendance total of 3 million, he has 500 plate appearances, and he does not go on the disabled list." Griffey's contract "shows the Mariners realize the boon the [Griffey's] return could become to the franchise's bottom line." The team drew 2.3 million fans last season, which was the "worst-attended home schedule since the team moved into Safeco Field" in '99. Mariners President Chuck Armstrong: "If he plays and we draw and we win, he ought to get more money" (AP, 2/24). ESPN’s Peter Gammons said there is a "practical business side to the Griffey signing." Gammons: "The Mariners are worried that they may be down by as much as 3,000-4,000 season-ticket sales, which in total attendance could mean a drop of as many as 300,000 from last season” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 2/22).

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