He's going to be 32 in a little over a month. He had a career low batting average, RBI's, walks, OBG, SLG and OPS last season. How do you give such a huge contract to someone who is past his prime?
Angels are also stuck with Vernon Wells who is making over 26 Million next season.
Teams don't learn that these ridiculous contracts will eventually lead to labour disputes and then strikes where everyone loses.
he isn't, nobody is. the team knows this very well but they do it anyway because they will get morons to come to the park and pay overpriced money night in and night out, along with the advertisers who are also wasting money.
Theres a buzz I waited 13 min to talk to a season ticket sales rep... They are going fast said they will sell out. Vernon wells is a bum but what if he returns to form? You know hunter is going to have a better season he has to feel alot of weight being taken off his back.
Debating the merits of the contract from the LAA pov is fairly pointless, we can only speculate what the commercial value is.
In 2005 and 2006 Michael Schumacher was driving for Ferrari in Formula 1. Philip Morris/Marlboro were supplementing his already huge salary to the tune of USD 20m per year despite that fact that tobacco advertising at sporting events was already illegal. On the face of it - it made no sense but we can be sure that it was not an altruistic thing and that it was +EV for them.
Check back when he's a 40 yr old has been DH getting 25mil. Could turn ugly. Ortiz can't find a bid for 10 mil. DH is going the way of the horse and buggy. Killer come world series time when he could on the pine for 4 games.