The rich get even richer
NEW YORK — Forty-two players lost their jobs, many let go by teams looking to cut costs.
There are such money worries for the New York Yankees, who made another splashy addition to their starting rotation Friday by reaching a preliminary agreement on an $82.5 million, five-year contract with A.J. Burnett.
Just two days after striking a $161 million, seven-year deal with CC Sabathia, New York added Burnett to a rotation that also includes holdovers Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees are hoping to re-sign Andy Pettitte and have looked at Ben Sheets as an alternative.
"I can sense the excitement and the confidence that's spreading around the entire organization about what we're getting done and what we may get done still," Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said earlier Friday, before Burnett's decision became known. "A rising tide lifts all boats, and the confidence and the excitement right now among the team and the organization is contagious."
Burnett won 10 of his last 12 decisions and finished 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA for Toronto. He set career highs in wins, strikeouts (231) and innings (221 1-3).
The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies added to their offense when they reached a preliminary agreement on a $31.5 million, three-year deal with slugging outfielder Raul Ibanez.
Ibanez will receive a $2 million signing bonus, payable this year, a $6.5 million salary next season and $11.5 million each in 2010 and 2011. The 36-year-old, who takes over for Pat Burrell in left field, batted .293 last season for Seattle with 43 doubles, 23 homers and 110 RBI.
Several well-known players were among those let go by teams in the hours before the midnight deadline to offer 2009 contracts to players on rosters. Many teams didn't want to go to salary arbitration with the players and were willing to risk them leaving as free agents.
Among those cut loose were Baltimore pitcher Daniel Cabrera, Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Takashi Saito, Houston infielder Ty Wigginton, Colorado outfielder Willy Taveras, Tampa Bay outfielder Jonny Gomes, San Diego right-hander Clay Hensley and Milwaukee left-hander Chris Capuano.
