Rookie Of The Year Gets Rich
AL Rookie of the Year Nomar Garciaparra and the Red Sox agreed Tuesday to a landmark $23.25 million, five-year contract that could escalate to $44.25 million if the team exercises two option years.
The deal, unprecedented for a player who has been in the major leagues for little more than a season, came after six weeks of negotiations that began during the NBA All-Star game.
"It's good that things are set," Garciaparra said. "I don't have to worry about anything. I can just play baseball for the next five years."
Garciaparra, who made the minimum $150,000 last season, gets a $2 million signing bonus, $600,000 in 1998, $900,000 in 1999, $3.3 million in 2000, $6.85 million in 2001 and $8.6 million in 2002.
Boston has options for $10.5 million in 2003 and $11.5 million in 2004 with a $1 million buyout. If he makes the All-Star team at least four times in the next five years, the options would increase by $500,000 each.
"This is a very rare and talented player. What he's done, few people have ever done their first year in the league," general manager Dan Duquette said. "His best days are ahead of him, and we're glad they're going to be in Boston."
Garciaparra hit .306 with 30 homers, 98 RBIs, 122 runs and 22 steals last season, and was the unanimous choice as AL Rookie of the Year. He set major league records for RBIs by a leadoff hitter and homers by a rookie shortstop.
He also led the majors with 68 multihit games, paced the league with 209 hits and 11 triples, and his 30-game hitting streak broke Guy Curtright's AL rookie record, set in 1943. He broke club records held by Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky and Jim Rice.
"I just want to meet the guy you were talking about," the self-effacing 24-year-old said after Duquette listed his accomplishments. "Wow. I'm very flattered."
Garciaparra's deal dwarfs that of NL Rookie of the Year Scott Rolen, who agreed last week to a $10 million, four-year contract. Garciaparra, whose contract is the longest and by far the biggest for a player with one year of experience, would not have been eligible for free agency until after the 2002 season.
"He's everything that you'd like ... a ballplayer to be," said Duquette, who has balked at giving even four-year deals to Mo Vaughn and Roger Clemens. "It depends on the player. With the market going up, we thought it would be a good idea ... to do a long-term deal."
Earlier in the day, with the deal not yet finalized, Boston had renewed Garciaparra's contract for one year at $600,000.
Boston has spent more than $170 million this offseason on salaries, with the biggest deal a $75 million, six-year contract given to NL Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez. This season's payroll will be about $50 million.
"I would say it's unprecedented security for a one-plus player," said Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem. "It was in both of or interests. Nomar wanted the security and the Red Sox wanted to lock him up for a long time."
Garciaparra broke Johnny Pesky's Red Sox rookie record for hits (205 in 1942), and his 365 total bases broke Ted Williams' team rookie record (344 in 1939). He also became the first Boston player to reach double figures in doubles, triples, homers and steals since Jackie Jensen in 1956.
Garciaparra hit .241 in 24 games with the Red Sox in 1996, then won the shortstop job in spring training when John Valentin was moved to second base. He was the fifth Boston Rookie of the Year, following Walt Dropo (1950), Don Schwall (1961), Fisk and Fred Lynn (1975).