Even if Alex Rodriguez is banned for life, the Rangers still owe him more than $40 million

[El Supremo]

Incredible! I want to grind up Tom Hicks into little pieces and feed him to my dogs.

If Major League Baseball were to ban Alex Rodriguez for life because of performance-enhancing drugs, the New York Yankees would get off the hook for nearly $100 million in future salary.

The Rangers would not be so lucky.

The Rangers still owe Rodriguez approximately $40 million (which will grow to nearly $50 million by the time it is paid) in deferred money from his original contract. That money was later deferred even further to accommodate his trade to New York. It is to be paid from 2016-2025.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/even-if-alex-rodriguez-is-banned-for-life-the-rangers-still-owe-him-more-than-40-million.html/

[Auggie]

1. That's why I don't understand these monster contracts and deferred payments

By the time most these guys have proven themselves they've reached their prime. Maybe they have a few years left, but the grind of playing everyday starts taking toll. Some press too hard trying to perform up to the contract. Others, you just don't know. Nagging injuries, team chemistry, batting order?

I understand why it happens -- attendance, media ratings, buzz.

I'd like to see hitter's stats compared, pre-signing and post, from the largest contracts of the last 10 year.

Pitchers seem to fare better. Given the importance of that position, those contracts make more sense.