It’s July 1st, which baseball fans know as Bobby Bonilla Day, the day on the sports calendar when the Mets—as they do each year—shell out $1.19 million to former outfielder Bobby Bonilla, who last played professionally in 2001. Bonilla, a six-time All-Star who appeared in 2,113 career games across 15 MLB seasons, hasn’t donned a Mets uniform since 1999. Yet, due to a bizarre contract loophole (the deal was presented as a compromise by Bonilla’s agent, allowing the Mets to defer payment of his remaining $5.9 million), New York will wire the same amount to Bonilla’s bank account July 1st of each year through 2035. It’s one of the greatest heists in baseball history and a clever way for Bonilla, an above-average player but certainly not an all-time great, to remain relevant decades after logging his final at-bat.
While $1.19 million admittedly won’t get you as far as it used to in MLB, Bonilla, who turned 58 earlier this year, is still earning more than a host of notable names including Blue Jays Triple-Crown threat Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($605,400 salary) and author of baseball’s toughest pitch to hit (a baffling changeup known as the “Airbender”), reigning National League Rookie of the Year Devin Williams ($681,100). With that in mind, here are 20 current big-leaguers who, inexplicably, will net less than Bonilla this season.
Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins (*$630,000): 3.09 ERA since 2020, .217 OBA
Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets ($676,775): MLB HR champ (2019), MLB rookie record for HR (53), NL Rookie of the Year (2019), All-MLB First Team (2019), NL All-Star (2019), Home Run Derby champ (2019)
Yordan Alvarez, DH, Houston Astros ($609,000): All-MLB Second Team (2019), AL Rookie of the Year (2019)
Randy Arozarena, OF, Tampa Bay Rays ($581,200): Babe Ruth Award (2020), ALCS MVP (2020), MLB records for most hits (29), HR (10) in a single postseason
Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays ($587,800): MLB leader in runs (66), 7th in hits (92), 6th in AL SB (12), 10th in AL RBI (53), .296/.340/.516 career batting line
Alec Bohm, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies ($575,000): Tied runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year (2020)
Corbin Burnes, SP, Milwaukee Brewers ($608,000): 2.35 ERA, 13.6 K/9 since 2020, 10th in NL strikeouts (115)
Jake Cronenworth, 2B, San Diego Padres ($584,900): Tied runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year (2020), 8th in NL batting average (.286)
Domingo German, SP, New York Yankees ($619,675): Led MLB with .818-win percentage in 2019, 4th in AL wins in 2019 (18)
Trent Grisham, OF, San Diego Padres ($589,200): 2020 NL Gold Glove
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays ($605,400): MLB leader in RBI (66) and OPS (1.117), 2nd in HR (26), 2nd in runs (64), 2nd in WAR (4.2), 3rd in batting average (.339), 3rd in slugging (.675), 5th in hits (96), 5th in BB (49), runner-up in 2019 Home Run Derby
Josh Harrison, 2B, Washington Nationals ($1,000,000): NL All-Star (2014, 2017)
James Karinchak, RP, Cleveland Indians ($585,000): 9-for-10 in save opportunities, career 2.55 ERA, 16.12 K/9
Jeff McNeil, 2B, New York Mets ($642,251): NL All-Star (2019), 5th in 2019 batting average (.318), .308/.375/.480 career batting line
Austin Meadows, OF, Tampa Bay Rays ($591,400): AL All-Star (2019), 9th in RBI (54)
Cedric Mullins, OF, Baltimore Orioles ($577,000): 5th in WAR (4), 5th in SB (15), 8th in batting average (.322), 10th in OPS (.942)
Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates ($601,000): 3rd in OBP (.405), 7th in WAR (3.6), 5th in NL batting average (.316)
Alex Verdugo, OF, Boston Red Sox ($649,500): 5th in AL batting average in 2020 (.308)
Jared Walsh, 1B, Los Angeles Angels ($590,500): 6th in HR (20), 4th in RBI (58)
Devin Williams, RP, Milwaukee Brewers ($681,100): NL Rookie of the Year (2020), NL Reliever of the Year (2020), All-MLB Second Team (2020)
*All contract figures are courtesy of Spotrac.com
America’s birthday is right around the corner and what could be more patriotic than ruthless, late-stage capitalism and the pursuit of wealth at all costs? Enjoy the $1.19 million, Bobby. Hopefully it will last you 'till next July.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram