The former Red Sox center fielder has agreed to terms with the rival Yankees for a reported $153 million over seven years, the largest contract to date signed during the MLB offseason.
Red Sox offered Ellsbury less than $120 million
ElsaHowever, the Red Sox still have money. They are just being more careful about giving out big offers. The team currently has nearly $134 million locked up in player contracts for 2014, with four arbitration-eligible players likely to earn an additional $8 million. That puts Boston over $10 million under their 2013 opening day payroll and over $30 million under the franchise-high $175 million they spent on players in 2012.
Kemp, 29, is still owed $130 million over the next six seasons. The most he will get in an individual year is $21.5 million, which will be his compensation each season from 2016-19. Kemp suffered through an injury-filled year in 2013, struggling to a 723 OPS when he was in the lineup. He also missed a third of the 2012 season due to injury, but is just two years removed from hitting .324/.399/.586 with 39 home runs and 40 stolen bases.
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