Former Yankee Winfield Says Baseball’s Spending Spree Is Over
By Mark Crumpton and Christopher Elser
March 31 (Bloomberg) -- Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, who spent most of his career with the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, said baseball’s spending spree is over because of the weak economy.
The $424 million in free agent contracts given to three new Yankees -- Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett -- are no longer standard figures, the retired outfielder said.
“There are fewer guys who are going to get the big payday,” Winfield said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “You saw many of the Yankee players get it. But you don’t hear around the rest of baseball of guys getting $17, $18, $20 million. For now, the times are over. It’s a recession.”
Winfield, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001, left the Padres in 1980 to join the Yankees after signing the sport’s richest contract at the time. The 10-year, $23 million deal led to disagreements with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He was traded to the California Angels in 1990 and went on to play for Toronto, Minnesota and Cleveland.
The Yankees, who are moving into a new $1.3 billion stadium this season, agreed on an eight-year, $180 million deal with Teixeira at the end of last year. They also signed 2007 American League Cy Young Award winner Sabathia for seven years and $161 million, and pitcher Burnett for five years and $82.5 million.
Winfield, a 12-time All-Star who has spoken with the three new Yankees’ additions, said it isn’t easy playing in New York. The winner of seven Gold Glove awards spent nine years with the Yankees.
“They’re veterans, they’re knowledgeable, they’re really, really good players,” said Winfield, a spokesman for Subway Restaurants. “I don’t think they’re going to overextend themselves but when you’re playing in New York, you’ve got to give it your best all the time. If you don’t bring your best, you’ve got to go home.”
To contact the reporters on this story: Mark Crumpton in New York at mcrumpton@bloomberg.net; Christopher Elser in London at celser@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: March 31, 2009 11:54 EDT |
