Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 9, 1991 TAG: 9102090364
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
The two-time Cy Young Award winner will get an average of $5,380,250 a season, shattering the previous record of $4.7 million, set by Oakland outfielder Jose Canseco last June.
"I'm letting my family and my friends around me get all excited," Clemens said. "I'm real thankful to the Red Sox. Hopefully, I'll get to spend a great deal of time with them and set some records."
Clemens, a 28-year-old right-hander, is to make $2.5 million in 1991 in the final season of a three-year, $7.5 million contract.
He will get $4.4 million in 1992, $4.5 million in 1993, $5 million in 1994 and $5.5 million in 1995. The Red Sox have an option for 1996 at $5.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout. Clemens also gets a $621,000 bonus for agreeing to the extension.
"We believe that Roger Clemens is the best player in baseball and deserves to be paid the highest salary in baseball," said Randy Hendricks, one of his agents. "That is now the case."
Meanwhile, Toronto second baseman Roberto Alomar and Montreal outfielder Mike Aldrete were salary arbitration winners Friday, but San Diego catcher Benito Santiago failed his in attempt to set the arbitration salary record.
Santiago, a two-time National League All-Star, was given San Diego's offer of $1.65 million by arbitrator Rolf Valtin rather than his request for $2.5 million.
Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees got the top arbitration salary ever, $1,975,000 in 1987.
Alomar, traded by San Diego to Toronto in the Fred McGriff-Joe Carter deal, was awarded $1.25 million by arbitrator William Rentfro rather than the Blue Jays' offer of $825,000.
Aldrete was awarded $510,000 by arbitrator John Caraway instead of Montreal's offer of $350,000.
Five players in arbitration settled, reducing the remaining number to 51.
Outfielder Ron Gant increased his salary seven-fold, agreeing with the Atlanta Braves at $1,195,000. Gant made $150,000 last season, when he hit .303 with 32 home runs and 84 RBI.
Right-hander Jeff Parrett and Atlanta agreed to $855,000, a $180,000 raise, and left-hander Tom Glavine and the Braves agreed to $697,500, a $385,000 raise.
Outfielder Jim Eisenreich and Kansas City agreed to $950,000, double his 1990 salary, while outfielder Randy Kutcher and the Red Sox settled at $250,000, a $65,000 raise.
Free agent third baseman Jim Presley, who played for Atlanta last year, agreed to a one-year contract with San Diego.
by CNB