Think the New York Mets would take this decision back if they could? Chances are yes.
Shortly before the 2000 season, the Mets agreed to a buyout deal with Bobby Bonilla that would have the organization paying their former slugger $1,193,248.20 annually on July 1 for the next 25 years, beginning in 2011. That'd make Wednesday (July 1) payday for Bonilla, who retired in 2001.
Bonilla's annual check of $1,193,248.20 means although he has been long retired from Major League Baseball, he's still earning more than current Mets' stars such as pitchers Matt Harvey ($614,125) and Jacob deGrom ($556,875) and center fielder Juan Lagares ($553,696). Sheesh.
Unbelievably, Bonilla was owed $5.9 million at the time that the Mets agreed to this absurd buyout deal. So, instead of paying him the $5.9 million, they're going to cough up a total of $29,831,205 until 2035. (Shaking our heads).
Wait...the story gets better if you're Bonilla...and worse if you're the Mets.
The [Not-so] Amazins are also on the hook for a separate joint payment with the Baltimore Orioles for Bonilla, running through 2028. In 2013, CBS Sports reported that the Mets' payment is slightly upwards of $250,000 to Bonilla for that.
Bonilla will be 72-years-old by the time the Mets are done paying him. And people think pension plans are dead. Good grief. Here's to die-hard Mets' fans for continuing to be loyal. We don't know how you do it. Or why you do it for that matter.
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