Larry Walker and Denny Neagle Are Stealing Money

From the Rockies. I almost flipped out of my chair when I saw the news in Tracy Ringolsby's Rockies' payroll breakdown this morning. The Rockies, who have become more frugal recently, will have around an Opening Day payroll of $55 million -- most likely placing them in the bottom six of the league. That's why I was utterly astonished upon reading this:

They also have payments for players no longer with them of $2 million to Florida for Mike Hampton, $1.8 million to Denny Neagle as a 20 percent installment on his buyout and $1.7 million as the second of 20 years of deferred payments to Larry Walker.

What?!?!?! Are you serious? $3.5 million owed to a pair of players who could be running a pizza parlor or coaching Little League for all we know?

To refresh your memory, Larry Walker retired in '05, and last played for the Rockies in '04 (he was traded to the Cardinals midway through the year). Denny Neagle on the other hand, retired after the '03 season, and has been sitting on his rump, apparently collecting paychecks from the Rox ever since.

Ringolsby's article is well worth a read, especially if you want to find out how much Todd Helton would make if he were named World Series MVP (like that will ever happen), and the amount Aaron Cook would pocket should he bring home the Silver Slugger award to Denver (he's a pitcher mind you).