​This is my bone to pick, especially as a New York Mets fan. July 1 marks Bobby Bonilla Day, a running joke about the franchise that pays him every year not to play baseball, well after he retired. But let’s step back for a moment. It’s worth noting that the Baltimore Orioles also pay him deferred money, and in today’s MLB there are plenty of big-name players who will someday receive money from teams they no longer suit up for. We don’t mock the Los Angeles Dodgers for the large sums they hand out to retired players, nor do we mock the career milestones of Max Scherzer Day or Shohei Ohtani. Shouldn’t this be called Deferred Money Day? Who’s with me?!
To illustrate the point, here are several active players who will receive deferred money someday just like Bobby Bonilla: Shohei Ohtani will collect a staggering $680 million in deferred money. Rafael Devers, the former Red Sox third baseman now with the Giants, will be paid from 2034 through 2043. Mookie Betts is bound to be paid significantly after retirement. Freddie Freeman will receive $4 million every year from 2028 through 2040. Nolan Arenado will have part of his Rockies salary deferred. Blake Snell has $66 million deferred and payable through 2046. Tommy Edman will be owed $25 million down the road, a point for Dodgers jabs alike. Chris Sale will be paid by the Red Sox even after leaving Boston. Francisco Lindor’s deal with the Mets includes $5 million annually from 2032 through 2041. Edwin Diaz, the Dodgers closer, will see a substantial amount paid from 2033 through 2042.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Happy Bobby Bonilla Day! 10 active MLB players getting millions in deferred money