The sides eventually worked out a deal that saw the Mets defer paying off Bonilla until 2011, but with 8 percent interest over 25 years. He will be on the Mets’ payroll until 2035, when he is 72 years old.
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ESPN’s Darren Rovell-ever the reliable font for unsolicited “he got paid and didn’t do much” factoids-tweeted out a list of Mets pitchers who, when combined, will barely make more than Bonilla this year. At the time, Mets ownership didn’t mind that interest rate because their investments with Bernie Madoff were returning comfortably more than that figure.
It is July 1, which means that despite having retired in 2001 and not having played for the Mets since 1999, New York has to pay Bonilla his $1,193,248.20 check.
So, while hilarious on its face, maybe the Bonilla deal wasn’t such a leaden albatross after all. And Bonilla’s week just got a lot better, because it’s July 1. Good grief. Here’s to die-hard Mets’ fans for continuing to be loyal. Happy Bobby Bonilla day, Mets’ faithful. The duo contributed to the team’s World Series run in 2000.
– Matt Harvey, P, New York Mets – $614,125 in 2015.
When the Mets originally signed Bonilla to play outfield 24 years ago, he was coming off back-to-back finishes in the top three of the MVP voting while a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
And when Hampton left for the Rockies, the Mets used their compensation pick to draft David Wright.
So here we are again, ogling Bonilla’s de facto pension and how it outpaces some athletes who, you know, are actually playing.
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Never has turning down $5.9 million been so fruitful. That money would continue to draw interest even while they are making payments.
