The BIG Contracts

A list of all players signed to contracts of $8.5 million or more annually.  Note that this does NOT include any signing bonuses.  Any owners who "signed and quit" are also noted.  Links to all player cards have been included.  Feel free to leave your comments.

AL NORTH 

Chicago DoubleMints (nymatt0728)

• NONE

Columbus Cyclones (bnote19)

• Rico Villa (5 yr, $50 million, seasons 18-22).  Acquired via trade.  Thus far, worth every penny. Signed by congresstart, who is no longer in Sandlot. 
• Einar Zurbaran (3 yr, $25.5 million, seasons 19-21).  Zurbaran, the former Cy Young winner, has been solid, but certainly not the same pitcher he once was. 

Fargo Pop (lovemlb)

• Al Lira (5 yr, $67.6 million, seasons 20-24).  In the bonanza that was the free-spending offseason of last year, Lira's signing raised quite a few eyebrows.  More surprising was the absolute lack of use throughout the season.
• Harry Ozuna (5 yr, $52.2 million, seasons 18-22).  Good power numbers from rightfielder, who may have posted his best numbers to date this past season.

Montreal Souterraine (jamesmcole)

• NONE

AL EAST

Charlotte Showers (rms1200)

• Yusmeiro Escobar (5 yr, $43.9 million, seasons 20-24).  Has failed to duplicate his numbers from season 18, but with his upside and at the tender age of 26, it's hard to argue the decision to lock him up for the long haul.  Signed by tlow who has since departed.

Cleveland Cattle Prods (FUT2004)

• Joaquin Benavente (5 yr, $100 million, seasons 20-24).  The season 18 Cy Young winner helped guide the Prods to their first division title in what many argue is the most talented division in all of Sandlot.  Will still only be 33 in the final year of his deal.

Hartford Colt 45's (therunner24)

• NONE

New York Bears (yanksfan2213)

• NONE

AL SOUTH

Durham Nukes (sweetsalve)

• NONE

Nashville Titans (sportsguy93)

• Terry Charleston (5 yr, $95 million, seasons 20-24).  An impressive debut in Nashville in season 20.  Pencil him in for 16 wins and a 3.25 ERA annually.

Santa Fe Desert Eagles (hatchetman)

• NONE

Tampa Bay St. Pete Manta Rays (dahos)

• NONE

AL WEST

Arizona Sun Devils  (sundevil1008)

• Bob Ashley (5 yr, $47.5 million, seasons 17-21).  Season 18 marked the last time Ashley made an impact.  Signed by pt109, who is "no longer with the firm."

Colorado Knockers  (pizza_steve)

• Mike Wight (5 yr, $100 million, seasons 19-23).  Consecutive All-Star appearances in the first two seasons of his contract.  Scary to think just how good this guy could've been had he not spent his entire career in Hartford and Colorado, two of the worst parks to call home for any pitcher.  Led Colorado to a World Series appearance this past season.

Las Vegas Vagabonds  (mudcatbb)

• NONE

San Francisco Gibblers  (RubeRant)

• Domingo Pena (5 yr, $60 million, seasons 19-23).  After a sub-par season 19, Pena bounced back with an All-Star appearance and Gold Glove in season 20.  Signed by gotigers, who is no longer in Sandlot.

NL NORTH

Augusta Moose (joev188)

• Juan Castro (5 yr, $76.3 million, seasons 17-21). Acquired via trade with Cleveland.  Showing no signs of age, posting huge numbers last season. Signed by FUT2004.
• Javier Ortiz (5 yr, $45.6 million, seasons 21-25).  NEW SIGNING

Minnesota Bricklayers (itomcny)

• NONE

Philadelphia Liberty Balls (norsk44)

• NONE

Tacoma Vampyre (nosferatu)

• Tatsuya Woo (5 yr, $44 million, seasons 18-22).  All-Star appearances in seasons 18 and 20.  If not for a guy named Bunch, Woo may have won the Cy Young last season.

NL EAST

Baltimore Badgers (jp_chips)

• NONE

Boston Bulldogs (richelle)

• Jamie Corcoran (5 yrs, $60 million, seasons 21-25).  NEW SIGNING

Cincinnati Reds (badmoon006)

• NONE

Jacksonville Five (cwiddoes)

• Julio Prieto (5 yrs, $45 million, seasons 18-22).  Acquired via trade from Montreal.  Consecutive seasons of 20 homers, 93 runs batted in, and a .328+ AVG.  Helped lead the Five to their first World Series title.

NL SOUTH

Charleston Jitterbugs (defendo)

• NONE

Florida Beaches (crazydoc)

• NONE

Louisville Twin Spires (kwcpanthers)

• NONE

Wichita Cats (gnocc)

• Andres Ortiz (5 yrs, $75 million, seasons 19-23).  The two-time Cy Young winner had a sub-par season 20 after posting a 1.99 ERA the prior season.  Will be 36 at the end of his contract.
• Juan Fernandez (5 yrs, $50 million, seasons 20-24).  The two-time MVP and Hall of Fame lock is still good for 30-plus homers per season with a .300+ AVG.  Will be 35 at the conclusion of his contract.
• Matt Buckley (4 yrs, $41.3 million, seasons 21-24).  NEW SIGNING 

NL WEST

Colorado Springs Gold Rush  (Reps)

• NONE

Los Angeles Stars  (jrcpga)

• NONE

San Diego Surfers  (tentozen)

• NONE

Seattle Grinders  (jpccr)

• Benji Pimentel (5 yrs, $83 million, seasons 20-24).  Posted career lows in HR, RBI, and AVG in his inaugural season in Seattle.  His numbers will likely never be what they once were, as Seatlle is amongst the toughest ballparks in which to hit.
• Louie Fuentes (3 yrs, $38 million, seasons 20-22).  Fuentes provided some power for the Grinders, belting 30 homers in cavernous SafeCo.