Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Elementary Schools Hit By Oklahoma Tornado
The details of Aroldis Chapman's new contract with the Cincinnati Reds have hit the wires, and this thing is much more complicated than the originally reported six-year deal worth $30 million. We already knew that the sixth year was an option year for Chapman worth $5 million and that the money was spread out pretty liberally (his signing bonus, which is worth around $15 million of the deal, is spread out between when he signs the contract and 2020). That seemed to be the best way for the Reds to fit such a big contract for an unproven player into their budget.But what we learned Tuesday is that the contract voids if Chapman becomes arbitration eligible in 2013, the rest of his deal converts into a $5 million bonus and he goes into the arbitration pool. If he becomes arbitration eligible in 2014, he gets a $3 million bonus and goes into the arbitration pool. That means that if Chapman is as advertised and makes the Reds out of camp (or early this season), he makes his $15 million bonus, $4 million in base salary over his first three seasons, a $5 million bonus for becoming arbitration eligible early, plus whatever he earns over the next three seasons in arbitration.
Considering the arbitration clause and the fact that the option is a player option, the Reds will be paying at least $30 million and at most somewhere in the ballpark of $45 or 50 million for a player that no one really knows much about. If Chapman turns into the next Randy Johnson, it'll be a bargain.
The danger for Cincy lies in Chapman impressing early on to achieve arbitration status, but never quite living up to his hype. That would mean that they'll be forced to pay a huge bonus, they'll get zero years of complete payroll control, and they'll still have to deal with three arbitration seasons that will take his total payout north of the current $30 million figure. That's a lot of money for a team like the Reds to pay a pitcher that might not develop into an ace.
Tornado Devastates Oklahoma City Suburb
WATCH: Tornadoes Rip Through Central U.S.
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
The DOJ's Targeting Of Fox News Reporter Risks Criminalizing Journalism
Yahoo-Tumblr Deal Is Official: We Promise 'Not To Screw It Up'
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
Top White House Staffers Were Briefed On IRS Investigation's Conclusions, Didn't Tell Obama
Politicians React To Oklahoma City Tornado
Ex-Senator Laments 'Unfair' FAA Budget Fix
Dem Gov Signs Landmark Bill Into Law
WATCH: Even The TV Anchors Had To Evacuate
WATCH: Robert Gibbs Takes Swipe At Maureen Dowd
Someone Just Made An Even Better 3D-Printed Gun
Mark Penn Unlikely To Rejoin Hillary Clinton 2016
Godfather Of Slain Student Blames NY Police
'Worst Week' For Obama Has Surprising Effect On Polls
Feds Say Trespassing Peace Activists Are A National Security Threat
IT'S OFFICIAL
NYU Researchers Gave Secrets To Chinese Competitors, Feds Say
Report: Apple Is Paying Almost No Taxes On Its Billions Stashed Offshore
Sarah Palin: 'Global Warming My Gluteus Maximus'
FBI Now Involved In Michele Bachmann Investigation
NYPD To Boost Security In Gay-Friendly Neighborhoods
Wall Street Beating Families To Houses During Recovery
Tiny Southwest Colo. Town Makes Gun Ownership Mandatory
Va. GOP Attorney General Candidate On Controversial Miscarriage Bill
10-Year-Old On Dad's Deportation: 'Why Do They Have To Be So Cruel?'
Clock Is Ticking For Detroit
