doumit signs

by bolton on Dec 22, 2008 3:25 PM EST

Pirates agreed to terms with catcher Ryan Doumit on a three-year, $11.5 million contract with a club option for 2012 and '13.
According to the Post-Gazette, Doumit gets a $300,000 signing bonus, $2.05 million in 2009, $3.55 million in 2010 and $5.1 million in 2011.

I never understand why teams like the Pirates structure deals this way. The Pirates aren't spending any money this year, why not give Doumit $5.1 million in 2009, $3.5 million in 2010 and $2 million in 2011?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Deal structure

Almost every team structures contracts this way (in baseball at least). $5.1 million in 2011 is less than $5.1 million in 2009 due to inflation and the fact that you can invest/use that money now. It doesn’t really lessen Doumit’s future trade value, as the Pirates could still throw in money in a deal should they decide to trade him. Should they trade him to a team like the Yankees who have loads of money (and thus wouldn’t require the Pirates to pay part of his salary), then the Pirates could end up paying less of his contract overall.

You’re more likely to see front-loaded and other more exotic contract structures in the NFL or other league where you are dealing with a salary cap.

by wickethewok on Dec 22, 2008 4:02 PM EST reply actions

Great move

It’s a good day to be a Bucco. Yes, there is a chance Doumit gets hurt and this deal is a bust, but ask yourself, would you rather have Doumit at these prices or say…Jason Kendall at 10 Mill a year? Smart move by the new management team. If Doumit stays healthy and produces at levels similar to this past year, this is a steal.

by Brakeman8 on Dec 22, 2008 4:23 PM EST reply actions

Nice out of the box thinking

I haven’t thought it through, but at these figures, it’s at least an interesting idea. wickethewok wrote that 5.1M in 2011 is less than it is now, but I think it’s pocket change in a 3-year deal. While we could pay for some of the contract if needed, we could uncomplicate that matter by structuring it the way bolton suggests. If there’s any possible club advantage to doing it a different way, it should be explored.

Especially at this point in time. If we’re building for the future, freeing up more money for 2011 will probably look like a shrewd move if we’re competitive or close to it in 2011.

What if he tanks? If so, $5.1M in 2011 is bothersome; they’d have to try to get some value somehow out of him. But at half that, he’s probably cuttable.

I read a news story the other day make a small issue of the fact that Sabathia got a signing bonus, so he’ll get $9M “before he throws a pitch” for the Yankees. I don’t see what that has to do with anything. It’s all guaranteed. I can’t see how it’s an incentive or disincentive.

by azibuck on Dec 22, 2008 5:00 PM EST reply actions