MLB teams will often do unthinkable things to make star players accept a free agent deal or a long-term contract.
Odd clauses, opt-outs, concessions, deferred money…you name it.
Everything is in play.
When Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. made it clear he wanted to play in Cincinnati, the M’s granted his wish and sent him there in early 2000.
As part of the agreement to play for the Cincinnati Reds, Griffey signed a nine-year, $112.5 million contract extension, with a club option for another season.
Thanks to deferred payments the Reds agreed to at the time, Griffey is still making money from them in 2023.
Not only is he still on the Reds’ payroll, but he is their fourth-highest paid player!
Ken Griffey Jr. is 53 years old and hasn't played in MLB in over a decade 😳 pic.twitter.com/3L3M79syrx
— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2023
That actually speaks more about the Reds than it does about Griffey, who just signed up and agreed with terms and conditions of his deal back then.
The Reds, on the other hand, have just three players beating that $3.59 million salary.
That’s actually sad and speaks volumes about their intentions to compete soon, let alone in 2023.
Griffey retired in 2010 after a brilliant career that saw him hit 630 home runs and win multiple Gold Gloves in center field.
He completely dominated the 90s.
You would think that the Reds would have at least half-a-dozen players making more than his 2023 deferred salary, but no.
That’s not the case.
He still has another $3.59 million payment set for 2024, when he finally is off the Reds’ payroll.
He was a good player for the Reds, but physical issues robbed him a lot of playing time in the last few years of his career.
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