Clearing up Luis Ayala’s contract details
Posted on February 19th, 2009 – 8:27 PMBy La Velle
I reported earlier today that Luis Ayala’s contract was non-guaranteed and the Twins could cut their losses if he doesn’t pitch well this spring.
That. apparently, is not true. Ayala’s contract is guaranteed.
I’m licking my wounds a little bit because I got incorrect information. I could go into all the details about how I got the information, but instead of bringing others into it I’ll just take the bullets.
But….one good thing out of this is that I ended up with more details in Ayala’s contract.
His base salary is $1.3 million, but he could earn $250,000 in appearance bonuses - $50,000 for 50 appearances then $50K for every five games after that, at 55, 60, 65, and 70 games.
He also would receive bonuses for games finished which, obviously, would become a factor if injuries affect closer Joe Nathan and perhaps other relievers.
$25K if he finishes 35 games
$50K if he finishes 40 games
$50K if he finishes 45 games
$50K if he finishes 50 games
$75K if he finishes 55 games
$75K if he finishes 60 games
There are also bonuses for making the All-Star Game and being named MVP of the ALCS or World Series - and if he finishes in first, second or third place in the Rolaids Relief Man standings.
Once again, I apologize for the mix up. I hope I didn’t upset Luis Ayala, his friends, family or agent too much.
71 Responses to "Clearing up Luis Ayala’s contract details"
[…] Twins Insider – […]
So I’m assuming “finishing” means pitching the last inning (whatever the situation may be)
Let’s hope he picks up a number of finishes, and not in the “mop up” variety.
Let’s also hope we don’t need him to close.
$25K if he finishes 35 games
etc…
very wishful thinking…
I don’t think that there was ever (i gotta check this out) a reliever other than a closer that finished closed to those many games for the Twins… Neshek’s high was in the low 20s.
T,
it is an official stat. Games Finished. Usually listed as GF.
In his mind, he must be the 8th inning “guy” & the closer in waiting. Confidence is a good thing.
I think every contract in every Pro sport should be incentive based on performance. No slacker factor. You get what you play for!
double checked those numbers…
Other than in 2000 when there was a 3 way closer by committee pen (Hawkins, Guardado, Bob Wells), the highest GF by a non-closer for the Twins was 29 (Terry Leach, 1990 and Keith Atherton, 1987)
Good luck.
(btw career best GF by Ayala is 28)
No biggy…
I think unless he is absolutely terrible this spring he’ll be a Twin anyways.
So who’s the mystery source that gave La Velle wrong information about Ayala’s contract?
My guess is Phil Humber.
I forgot that other clause:
His base salary is $1.3 million, but he could earn $250,000 in appearance bonuses - $50,000 for 50 appearances then $50K for every five games after that, at 55, 60, 65, and 70 games.
That’s pretty much written in stone. Other than his injury years he appeared in 65, 81, 68, 81 games
My guess is he got the info from an inside source to what’s really happening in the front office none other than our own T.
Basically it means if Nathan gets hurt and he ends up the closer, he gets compensated at a higher level for filling that role. Seems fair to me. Not to mention, in the event he should get traded to a team that DOES use him as a closer, he could get compensated for that, too.
Ben, my guess is that it was Punto.
F-ing Punto.
I for one would much rather see you report something that you hear even if it is not the full truth rather than serving as a filter for information. So I would say good journalism Lavelle, we appreciate all you put into it!
[…] Neal has another update, reporting that Ayala’s contract is indeed guaranteed. Ayala will get the previously-reported […]
We have to get Crede, if it gets down to the $3-5 million range, he’s going to the chi sox. We must get him for the sheer fact that he’s a twins killer. Can anyone find stats for Joe Crede against the Twins? At the dome? elsewhere? We’re going to look like idiots when we drive his stock down and he goes to another team. It’s just classic Boras: he’s got one team that won’t pay, driving player (x) contract down (Boras is pissed at this point). He’s smart enough to know what the market is and he’s going to get an extra million from another team, just to stick it to the team that wouldn’t pay. Pull the f***ing trigger, this is ridiculous.
That’s pretty much written in stone. Other than his injury years he appeared in 65, 81, 68, 81 games
Would that have been the Twins giving him some easily attainable incentives to compensate for the tougher GF count?
T,
I think that both the GF and games appeared stuff came from his agent…
Pohlads can’t afford Crede, but they can smell blood and do this…
The Denny Hecker Automotive Group completed the sale of its Volkswagen and Hyundai dealerships in Inver Grove Heights to the Pohlad Group’s Twin Cities Automotive, officials said Thursday.
I for one would much rather see you report something that you hear even if it is not the full truth rather than serving as a filter for information. So I would say good journalism Lavelle, we appreciate all you put into it!
Darrin, you’ve defined the opposite of good journalism and something that reflects badly on everyone in the profession. LaVelle knows this, which is why he apologized.
Props for manning up and not throwing the source under the bus, but next time get it right.
Pete,
“Pohlads can’t afford Crede, but they can smell blood and do this”
The Pohlads CAN afford Crede, but their baseball men choose not to (so far) because (at $7 million) its a BAD BUSINESS DECISION.
The Pohlad Group’s Twin Cities Automotive management must have decided that the purchase of the Volkswagen and Hyundai dealerships in Inver Grove Heights was a GOOD BUSINESS decision.
The Pohlad’s charity contributions are BAD business decisions that they choose to continue to make, because it is CHARITY.
If they decide to treat the Twins Operation as a charity, rather than as a business, THEN BAD business decisions will become acceptable business practices with the Twins. Probably not going to happen.
Reporting “everything you hear” is what cost the Braves Ken Griffey Jr a couple of days ago. So, unless LEN wants to become a part of the story, I think being as conservative as the Twins in approaching signings is warranted. (Not a rip, at all, LEN–you do great work.)
I’m sure this aspect of the issue factored into LEN printing the sign-and-trade “rumblings”, which was a tremendous scoop, LaVelle, but has certainly raised a lot of antennas around the league, and may ultimately have slowed the Twins’ efforts to pull it off.
Or maybe not. If it had just been announced in the dark, blindsiding everyone, there may have been a huge backlash. But now, everyone has had a week to chew it over, and so if the Twins land cruise, it may be helpful that the story was already out there.
Um, “Cruz”, not “Cruise.” I only work in phonetic spelling before my first cup of coffee. Although if the Twins land Jerry Maguire, do you think he has the glove to man the hot corner?
AM,
“Although if the Twins land Jerry Maguire”
Not unless they “SHOW HIM THE MONEY!!”
I’m sure if LEN3 (or anybody at the Strib) reported everything they heard…we wouldn’t have enough time to process it.
Nor would we ever be able to tell what was fact and what was rumor.
Everything Thrylos says is fact…just ask him. He’s even got the numbers to back it up.
Pete thinks his real name is Robin Hood.
The Pohlads CAN afford Crede, but their baseball men choose not to (so far) because (at $7 million) its a BAD BUSINESS DECISION.
How so? There’s pretty much no such thing as a bad one year contract. Particularly for a team that has roughly $30M lying around unused. Don’t forget they were somewhere north of $15M under budget last year, too.
If they think it’s a bad BASEBALL decision (perhaps they have medical information) that’s fine. But there’s no way Crede at almost ANY amount is a bad BUSINESS decision.
And just for the record, my guess is it won’t take $7M to sign Crede.
Chief, if the Twins fail to spend 50%+ of revenues on player payroll as promised, over time, then I’ll join you in criticizing them for betraying the fans. But you separate the economics from the baseball side of it, simply on the basis that they have cash laying around? Hey, if they fail to sign players later, if they pocket all that loose cash you know is sitting around doing nothing, then I’m on your side, but I’ll still puke in my mouth if guys like Joe Crede get $7M to hit .245 with 18 HR’s for a half-year’s work and no change in the standings for you and me.
I’d rather they announce: “We told Crede to go F* himself. Hot dogs cost a buck less.”
“We told Crede to go F* himself. Hot dogs cost a buck less.”
If hot dogs indeed DID cost a buck less, I might agree with you, but I remind you the team didn’t lower ticket prices, or hot dog prices, last year, and I’m willing to bet they won’t this year, either.
Also let’s remember, the only reason we’re focusing on Crede at this point is they’ve already passed on other reasonable and more desirable upgrade options, leaving Crede and Hudson as probably the only FAs out there that might have a chance of accomplishing what Bill Smith himself said was a priority this offseason…upgrading the infield.
I’m not that hip on Crede either, but I’d rather see them use some of that money on the chance he helps than just count on Buscher/Harris at third, along with counting on Punto to be an acceptable shortstop AND counting on Casilla to be an acceptable second baseman.
It may work out OK, but there’s also a chance 3/4 of the infield is among the worst in MLB.
USAFChief,
“But there’s no way Crede at almost ANY amount is a bad BUSINESS decision”
If (as you think) the money not spent on overpaying Crede will go into profits, wasting the payroll IS a bad BUSINESS decision.
If (as I think) the money not spent on overpaying Crede will go into signing and re-signing other players and draft choices, wasting the payroll is a bad BUSINESS AND BASEBALL decision.
Len 3 maybe next time you should mention your source first then you dont need to call them out afterwards. Those incentives do seem funny to me just for fun why not throw in a $10 mil bonus if he wins the Cy Young.
Chief,
“they’ve already passed on other reasonable and more desirable upgrade options, ”
is your opinion, one expressed with your clear bias about spending policy. Others don’t share it, obviously Twins management included.
The Pohlads aren’t angels. I’m disgusted by the cost structure of baseball, and blame the collusuion of greed between players and owners most, then the enabling attitude of fans clamoring for their team to make stupid investments in mediocre players, and finally cowardly politicians who won’t say no.
Like I’ve said before, give me the team, and I’ll announce to you that my payroll will be heading toward 50% of the current market, because I think the current market is going to get there eventually. But I’ll cut my revenues, too, and lower my prices. And, by the way, the team will still win, but alwats with young, less expensive talent. A fantasy, I know.
Chief,
In your (and my) previous job in the military-industrial cluster-f**k, “money lying around unused” got cut from next year’s budget allocation, so it was useful to spend it, even unwisely.
Here in the private sector, it gets re-allocated to other needs - like the wife and kids.
Or it earns interest.
The Twins can:
1) save it, earn interest, and use it later;
or
2) Spend it in other player acquistion and development areas;
or
3) Make more profits. (which I hope is not the case)
I guess we both have a clear bias, eh bop?
Hey Chief if the Twins were a publicly traded company and you owned stock in them would you still be so eager for them to spend money right now?
I want to completely change the subject to Boof….because I can. Can anyone explain to me WHY he had shoulder issues last fall, and still has them the first day of reporting to camp? Did he really not know that his shoulder still hurt sometime during the last 3+ months?? Did he not pick up a baseball or throw a pitch during that entire time?? Did the Twins coaching staff and FO not keep up on the physical problems of returning players? Is this because he lost his starting position, because he’s out of options , because he knows that he’s trade bait?? Something is very fishy about all of this.
sane: I think you missed an option:
4) use money saved on lowered payroll to pay down the team’s required stadium contribution.
I doubt the money they didn’t spend last year will show up later as above-budget payroll, and I doubt money saved this year will show up later as above-budget payroll. I could be wrong.
I seem to recall previous published reports from the Twins indicating MLB payroll and minor league operations (including money allocated for the draft) were separate budgets. The “50-52% of revenue on major league payroll” already takes into account the money they need to set aside for other expenses. Again, I could be wrong. If I get motivated I’ll dig around and see if I can find that information.
To be fair, if I remember correctly the Twins spent more on the draft last year than in the previous couple years, but we’re talking about a couple million.
the only reason we’re focusing on Crede at this point is they’ve already passed on other reasonable and more desirable upgrade options
Oh yes. Wigginton was such a desirable 3B that he ended up taking a couple of mill a year to go play first for the O’s…
Blake WOULD have been a viable option if he didn’t want 3 years guaranteed.
The other two options (I’m assuming you’re referring to Beltre and Atkins) require a trade. And from what I understand of the situation neither team is backing down from demands that include guys like Span.
sane: I think you missed an option:
4) use money saved on lowered payroll to pay down the team’s required stadium contribution.
That WOULD be the most popular opinion of those who are typically found in their basements wearing tinfoil hats.
On the subject of Boof:
Do some research, Yard.
Bonser had issues late last season. He had an MRI and X-Ray exam at that time, neither of which identified any structural damage. Rest was prescribed.
He started throwing in January, same issues with the shoulder. He was examined by Twins doctors during the Twinsfest weekend, with “some weakness identified.”
He was given a strength and mobility regime to follow, and apparently the results haven’t been positive. Since arriving at camp, he’s had a cortizone shot and is getting another MRI.
All this information is available at just one website, the Twins official site, as reported by Kelly Theiser.
The “50-52% of revenue on major league payroll” already takes into account the money they need to set aside for other expenses. Again, I could be wrong.
expenses are not part of revenue.
You have revenue (income from all sources - tickets, concessions, tv, mlb royalties, etc etc)
then you have expenses. Player payroll is one of them, stadium lease is another, operations payroll is another, maintenance etc etc.
Based on their 2006 revenues (I don’t have the number for 2008 but I suspect it would be close, even a bit less because in 2006 they got extra $ for going to the post season) and their 2008 player salaries, they are at 49.9% revenue… so they are keeping their promises. (btw, MLB average is 55.5% based on the same parameters, but I bet it will drop for 2009, while the Twins’ number will rise because their player payroll increased)
I think the Twins are in prime position to steal someone from a team dumping salary at the trade deadline. Alot of teams are hurting financially and the Twins going into the new stadium seem to be healthy.
You have a good point Shawn. The Twins are one of the few teams at the moment that don’t have a bunch of massive contracts weighing them down.
It’d be nice to be able to finally shake down the M’s for Beltre. His price will be down once it’s only a half season…but I’m guessing the competition will be high for his services.
The Twins meet Seattle for the first three games of the season if I’m not mistaken. Let’s hope they can send a message right off the bat and sweep them. If we’re lucky, the M’s crash and burn and the Twins can scoop up Beltre early.
Of course, if the Twins sign Crede then the next series is against Chicago. Interesting how a few storylines could play out so early.
Shawn, that would be a great point, if you could show me an example of where they successuflly did that in the last 5 years. They’ve lacked a 3B and legit DH for most of this decade, and have not been willing to pull the trigger (for whatever reason) during the season for that whole time. The last time they really gave up the future for the present was Kielty and Stewart. That’s a long time ago.
sane, well, last year it was option 3. They’ve never added a FA that was in his prime earning years. They have rarely, if ever, added a player through trade in his prime earning years.
I’m thinking it will be mostly option 3. They’ll use the space to sign their existing players, but never will we see that “extra” profit spent elsewhere on players. I just don’t see it, but I’d be happy if they did.
mike,
i certainly don’t know if they will do anything, but they could be in a spot where the market is to their frugal liking.
They’ve never added a FA that was in his prime earning years.
Kenny Rogers
RonDL White
Mike Lamb
Adam Everett
Craig Monroe
Livan Hernandez
Tom Prince
(and the premise here is prime earning years, regardless of how these guys performed or regardless how highly rated they were… still were in their prime earning years. If you want to talk all star type of players, is a different discussion 
)
They have rarely, if ever, added a player through trade in his prime earning years.
Shannon Steward
Rick Reed
Luis Castillo
mike, chief,
“But there’s no way Crede at almost ANY amount is a bad BUSINESS decision”
My point was that wasting money in ANY way, (including overpaying Crede) is a BAD BUSINESS decision.
If it is “just” cutting into profits, it is a BAD BUSINESS decision.
If it is cutting into expenditures where WE (fans) want it spent, it is a BAD BUSINESS decision.
If it is cutting into expenditures where we DON’T want it spent, it is a BAD BUSINESS decision.
Any money WASTED is a BAD BUSINESS decision.
I still want to sign Crede, but not at almost ANY amount.
thrylos, not one of those guys in your first list was in his prime earning years when they brought him on. None of them were signing contracts right after arbitration, at the peak of their earning.
Castillo was, true, not sure about Reed.
sane, agreed 100%, I want more good decisions than bad decisions.
Anyone else hung up trying to get Cubs/Twins tickets? I’ve been in the “virtual waiting room” waiting for my opportunity to buy for over two hours now.
The last time they really gave up the future for the present was Kielty and Stewart.
Bowyer for Castillo says hello.
They’ve never added a FA that was in his prime earning years.
Kenny Rogers
RonDL White
Mike Lamb
Adam Everett
Craig Monroe
Livan Hernandez
Tom Prince
All except Rondell White and Kenny Rogers had their highest earning years the year they were with the Twins or the year prior to joining the Twins.
Kenny Rogers:
2000 Texas Rangers $7,500,000
2001 Texas Rangers $7,500,000
2002 Texas Rangers $7,500,000
2003 Minnesota Twins $2,000,000
2004 Texas Rangers $2,500,000
2005 Texas Rangers $3,500,000
2006 Detroit Tigers $8,000,000
2007 Detroit Tigers $8,000,000
2008 Detroit Tigers $8,000,000
Rondell White:
2002 New York Yankees $4,500,000
2003 San Diego Padres $5,500,000
2004 Detroit Tigers $2,750,000
2005 Detroit Tigers $3,250,000
2006 Minnesota Twins $2,500,000
Adam Everett:
2006 Houston Astros $1,900,000
2007 Houston Astros $2,800,000
2008 Minnesota Twins $2,800,000
Mike Lamb:
2006 Houston Astros $1,700,000
2007 Houston Astros $2,700,000
2008 Minnesota Twins $3,500,000
Craig Monroe:
2006 Detroit Tigers $2,800,000
2007 Detroit Tigers $4,775,000
2008 Minnesota Twins $3,820,000
Livan Hernandez:
2003 Montreal Expos $3,825,000
2004 Montreal Expos $6,000,000
2005 Washington Nationals $8,000,000
2006 Washington Nationals $8,000,000
2007 Arizona Diamondbacks $7,000,000
2008 Minnesota Twins $5,000,000
“but never will we see that “extra” profit spent elsewhere on players.”
Speaking of clear biases. Some belive this, some of us aren’t sure, or believe otherwise, but we come by those beliefs honestly.
mww, I have made the argument that you need to think of 2009 as the start of a new era. Last year, they had 12-15 holes to fill. This year? Four. Next year? Fewer, and now they have idle cash. It’s exciting. But if they fail to deliver out into the future, I’ll be one of the critics.
I would say Kenny Rogers was still in his ‘prime earning years’…he received a 2 yr/$16M deal from Detroit two years *after* his season with the Twins and was an All-Star and Gold Glover after that, too.
He was as much in his prime as Reed or Castillo during their Twins stints.
Or as much as Crede, Blake and Wigginton now for that matter.
Fran:
Kenny Rogers experienced a resurrection in Detroit, so I would say he has had two separate “prime earning years”.
None of them were signing contracts right after arbitration, at the peak of their earning.
let’s see:
Tom Prince had a 2 year/600K contract with Philly and got the best contact of his career with the Twins 3/$1.3M
Livan the 2 years before Twins made the best $ in his career $8M and $7M, the $6M he got from the Twins were not that far from the peak
Mike Lamb’s $3.5M per is the higher annual salary for him (previous high $2.7M)
Adam Everett’s $2.8 M tied his high for annual salary the year before
Roger’s contract was a steal, since he had annual $7.5M before and $8M after. But still was in his peak earnings.
RonDL, I give you that
When the Twins traded for Reed, they got his best paying years from his Met’s contract 2/$15M
Ditto for Steward, who also singed a free agent contract with the Twins that paid him his best money annually $6.5
Again, not all worked out but they made some of their best money with the Twins, which puts them at their earning prime (as far as that being the first contract before arbitration, is wrong… it usually is afterwards. Ask Manny, Arod, Johan and Texeira)
Walter, fair point.
I didn’t realize the Twins got him for $2M in 2003. That was a steal.
Question for spring training veterans–I’ll be down there in late March with my son, and we’ve got tickets to see the Twins vs the Reds and Rays. The Red Sox game is sold out, but tickets are obviously available for a price. My question–should I suck it up and buy the hiked up tickets now, or will it be possible or easier to line up something once we are there?
I can’t remember. Was Rogers coming off an injury when the Twins picked him up in 2003? What year did he go after the reporter in Texas?
AM,
Have your son create a diversion, perhaps by faking a seizure of some sort, then sneak in. If your son is a young man, he’ll have plenty of other opportunities to see the Twins in Spring Training.
Rogers came to the Twins after Boras and Texas FO had a urinating contest… He returned to Texas for 3 years and had that reporter incident the year before he moved to Detroit
AM,
I found that several good tickets are available from the box office if you walk up. Rarely all tickets are sold on line. Usually the stadium still has tickets. What I would do: Give them a call now (the stadium box office) and ask whether they have tickets. If no, give them a call the morning of the game day, if no show up a couple of hours before the game and go to the box office. Alternative: Put an add at craigslist (the one down there)
thrylos, I hear Toby Gardenhire gets in free.
Just kiddin’ ya, pal.
We should give Ayala a 500,000 dollar bonus if he cures Chris Baker of being an idiot too. I mean it’s just as likely as him coming in the top 3 in the Rolaids Relievers award… wow.
In my next contract… I am going to put a bonus clause in for a dollar if I cure cancer, but 5,000,000 if I can go through less than 1 box of kleenex per quarter.
(ok, I admit it, I’m crabby, and reading about Chris Baker, and finding out that Danny Granger isn’t playing tonight has me kind of pissy)
bop,
Toby should get free… he’d be on the bench
…with his little Star Wars lunch box that Carol packed for him…
on the other hand, i wouldn’t doubt that some time this spring we’ll see Gardy’s wet dream DP combination starting: Toby at 2B, Nicky at SS
I can hear Carol making a play date with Nicky’s mom right now.
WJ and Thrylos, thanks for the sound advice. My son is 4, so I can’t envision anything that could possibly go awry with your plan.
