Many All-Stars will see something extra in their checks
Reporting from Chicago — Talk about money for nothing.
If, as expected, Jered Weaver replaces the New York Yankees’ CC Sabathia on the American League All-Star roster, the Angels ace will slip on a uniform Tuesday, step onto the Angel Stadium field and wave to the home fans.
For which he will $50,000 richer — even though he won’t be eligible to play.
Like Sabathia, Weaver won’t be able to participate in the All-Star Game because of a rule that restricts pitchers who start for their teams on the previous Sunday, when he is scheduled to face Oakland.
Weaver’s selection to the team, therefore, is largely ceremonial.
But that won’t stop him from joining the dozens of players cashing in on All-Star bonuses in their contracts.
Although the total bonus figure for this year’s All-Star teams has not been tabulated, it will no doubt be a bundle. Last year’s All-Stars made more than $2.3 million.
The two Dodgers stars will be in the definite minority. Right fielder Andre Ethier and closer Jonathan Broxton won’t make anything extra because the Dodgers are among a handful of teams that don’t offer All-Star bonuses.
That’s a team policy, General Manager Ned Colletti said, stemming from a philosophy that players are expected to perform at a high level. Instead of giving bonuses, the Dodgers offer slightly more guaranteed money, according to a team official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss player contracts.
In other words, a Dodgers player might receive an extra $25,000 guaranteed in exchange for forfeiting the chance to earn a $100,000 bonus.
Ethier said he is fine with that arrangement.
“There are a few teams who have not [offered bonuses] based on their salary structure,” said agent Paul Cohen, whose clients include former Angels Troy Percival and Jim Edmonds.
It can amount to some substantial savings. The Boston Red Sox will dole out at least $200,000 to their five All-Stars.
Among those who are receiving bonuses this year, the benefit ranges from the $25,000 made by Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and a handful of other players to the $125,000 pocketed by Philadelphia pitcher Roy Halladay.
Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said he would probably donate his $100,000 bonus to his charity, the Torii Hunter Project.
The biggest stars don’t always make the most prodigious bonuses. St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, a three-time National League most valuable player, will make an extra $50,000, while Seattle pitcher Cliff Lee, a two-time All-Star, will make $100,000.
“Whether [the bonus] is $100,000, $50,000, $25,000, it’s more of an ego thing,” Cohen said. “And probably enough to make sure you can fly out all the family and relatives to the game and make sure you’re not out of pocket too much.”
Do players who earn seven-figure salaries really deserve to be awarded for being recognized as among the best in their league?
“You can take all bonuses and make the argument that, hey, you’re getting a salary to do whatever, why should you get a bonus for performing what you’re getting paid for?” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said.
“That’s not always the way contracts are made. And certainly for a young player who’s just starting to come into his own and signing a contract, there’s nothing wrong with getting a bonus.”
The perks of All-Star selection can also go beyond one-time cash bonuses; some players have option years in their contracts become guaranteed by making the team. Last year, five players had automatic increases in contract options triggered by becoming All-Stars, with Pittsburgh second baseman Freddy Sanchez and Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez each getting a $100,000 raise in their 2010 options.
Then there is Alex Rodriguez.
As part of the 10-year, $252-million contract he signed with Texas before the 2001 season, Rodriguez earned $100,000 for being an All-Star and another $100,000 were he to receive the most fan votes in the league.
After he moved to New York, the Yankees assumed that responsibility.
But, like the Dodgers, the Yankees also have a policy of not awarding bonuses for All-Star selection — or even for such honors as league MVP, Gold Glove or Silver Slugger. So, in 2007, when Rodriguez was awarded a new contract, it didn’t include an All-Star bonus.
Now he just settles for the $275 million on his 10-year deal.
Times staff writers Baxter Holmes and Jim Peltz contributed to this report.
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