On Wednesday, the Phillies signed Bobby Abreu to a five-year contract extension with a club option for a sixth year. His current contract runs through the end of this season, so he will make $6M in 2002. Under the new deal, he will receive $8.5M in 2003, $10M in 2004, $12.5M in 2005, $13M in 2006, and $15M in 2007. The total for the first five-years of the deal comes to $64 million, including a $3M signing bonus and a $2M buyout for the $16M sixth year option.

The contract also includes salary escalation clauses, which according to the AP can raise the total value of the first five years of the contract to $78M in the following way. "If Abreu wins the MVP, the contract goes up by $275,000 per year for each year left on the contract. If he is second in the voting, the contract goes up by $150,000 for each year left on the contract. If he is third, the contract goes up by $100,000 for each year left on the contract."

As he's yet to show up in the top 10 in MVP voting, I don't know that he'll be able to accomplish an appearance in the top 3 in the near future given that he's already in his prime, though it may happen at some point during the contract.

After an emergency appendectomy in early February, I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a slow start to this season, though unless he suffers complications or another injury, he should perform as well as ever this year. Although his home runs and SB totals were higher last season, Abreu did show a general drop off in 2001. While he maintained his SLG, his BA dropped below .300 and OBP below .400, both for the first time in four seasons. Much of this decrease, along with a corresponding increase in strikeouts, is likely due to the negative influence of deposed Hitting Coach Richie Hebner, now coaching at AAA Durham for Tampa Bay. With Hebner's departure, I would expect these numbers to return to Abreu's previous levels of .315/.415/.545.

I think the Phillies did a good job of locking him up at a reasonable salary through the remainder of his most productive years. I especially like the way Philadelphia has taken advantage of their farm system to provide them with relatively inexpensive players. Abreu can be considered an indirect product of that system, since he was stolen on the day of the 1998 expansion draft for Kevin Stocker after Tampa had selected Abreu with the 6th overall pick from Houston. However, I do think that other than a potential career year at some point, we have probably seen the best Abreu has to offer, although his "best" is obviously better than most.

Jose Macias signed a $1.175 million, two-year deal with Detroit on Wednesday. He will receive a base salary of $375K this season and $800K in 2003. Considering the Tigers expect full-time production out of Macias at least this season, this salary seems well within reason.

Macias is expected to be the Tigers' starting centerfielder this season. Although he put up acceptable numbers for a utilityman in 2001, Macias will need to show significant improvement this season in order to warrant the playing time he is expected to receive. He does have a little bit of speed and power, but he also doesn't have much plate discipline.

Since he's already 28, there is little chance that his production levels will increase much in the future. A two-year contract works here, as he will likely be arbitration-eligible next season and consistent playing time can lead to large arbitration awards. However, the Tigers should look for alternatives in the near future and not focus on a long-term commitment to a player with both as little current value and upside as Macias.

Orlando Cabrera lost his arbitration case on Wednesday. He will receive $2.4M this season rather than the $3.1M for which he was looking. Either Omar Minaya has an unusual talent for these procedures or Cabrera's agent let the ball drop. As one of the three best position players in the organization, the shortstop is easily worth the $3.1M salary he requested. However, Cabrera could have been at a bit of a disadvantage arguing for such a large raise over the $340K he made in 2001.

Montreal should have likely attempted to sign Cabrera to a long-term contract this season, as his production at shortstop is only a tier below the top players currently at that position. The 27-year old has shown increasing improvement over the last few years and should continue to add to his production this season. Without a multi-year deal in place, the Expos could be looking at an expensive arbitration award for 2003, followed by Cabrera's departure as a free agent. They do have a top tools' SS prospect in Brandon Phillips, but as he likely needs another year or two in the minors, even a two-year deal for Cabrera would have given the Expos cost certainty to either keep or trade him.

Carl Pavano signed a one-year $1.3125 million contract with the Expos on Wednesday. Although it's only a $12,500 raise from last season, it's exactly mid-way between the $1.2M the Expos originally offered and the $1.425 Pavano wanted.

Pavano didn't return to the Expos until well into last season, following complications after he had surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow in August of 2000. However by the end of the season, he appeared to have recovered and should be fine this season, so Montreal really shouldn't have tried to get him to accept a pay cut. Barring further injury, I expect him to perform well as the Expos' three starter this year.

The Boston Red Sox won their arbitration case against Rolando Arrojo, so Arrojo will only make $1.9 million this season as opposed to the $2.8 he was requesting. Shoulder problems slowed him down last season, though he pitched well when healthy. While I'm not certain he will be able to stay healthy all season, Arrojo should be an asset to the club when he is. The move from full-time starting to bullpen swingman should also help him maintain his health.