Call Me Ishmael-Just Re-sign Me!

The Mariners have declined options on both Edgar Martinez and Shigetoshi Hasegawa and have turned around and resigned both for 2003 for less money. Martinez goes from a $10 M salary for 2003 to one for $4 M plus $1M to buy out his old contract. Hasegawa had a $1.75 M deal and a $100K buyout, but his terms were not disclosed.

Both players were happy to take the cut in pay, further proof that the strictures of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement are doing their beneficial work. Thank goodness, too! Without the proper restraints imposed on the system, poor mangement would be linked in some way with the financial well being of the team concerned. This way teams can run the team however they want without fear of not making huge profits.

In the next CBA the owners will re-open the reserve clause issue, and media pressure and fan support will force the players to accept a modified version of the time-honored tradition.