With Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto on the cusp of signing a reported 10-year, $225-million extension with the Cincinnati Reds, here’s a look back at the largest previous contracts signed by Canadians.
A second chart is also included that reveals the Canadians that have made the most over the course of their big league careers, according to Baseball Reference.com.
Highest Previous Contracts Signed By Canadians:
1. Justin Morneau, New Westminster, B.C., six years, $80 million, Minnesota Twins, 2008 to 2013
2. Larry Walker, Maple Ridge, B.C., six years, $75 million, Colorado Rockies, 2000 to 2005
3. Jason Bay, Trail, B.C., four years, $66 million, New York Mets, 2010 to 2013
4. Ryan Dempster, Gibsons, B.C., four years, $52 million, Chicago Cubs, 2009 to 2013
5. Joey Votto, Etobicoke, Ont., three years, $38 million, Cincinnati Reds, 2011 to 2013
6. Eric Gagne, Montreal, Que., two years, $19 million, Los Angeles Dodgers, 2005 to 2006
7. Corey Koskie, Anola, Man., three years, $17.5 million, Toronto Blue Jays, 2005 to 2007
8. Mark Teahen, Canadian citizen, three years, $14 million, Chicago White Sox, 2010 to 2012.
9. Jesse Crain, Toronto, Ont., three years, $13 million, Chicago White Sox, 2011 to 2013.
10. Jeff Francis, Vancouver, B.C., four years, $13.25 million, Colorado Rockies, 2007 to 2010.
Career Earnings by Canadian Big Leaguers To Date (For active players, this doesn’t include what they will earn this year or in future years.)
1. Larry Walker, Maple Ridge, B.C., $110,466,931
2. Ryan Dempster, Gibsons, B.C., $61,894,999
3. Justin Morneau, New Westminster, B.C., $55,230,000
4. Jason Bay, Trail, B.C., $45,710,000
5. Eric Gagne, Montreal, Que., $40,070,000
6. Corey Koskie, Anola, Man., $26,295,000
7. Rheal Cormier, Moncton, N.B., $24,334,999.
8. Rich Harden, Victoria, B.C., $23,586,500
9. Erik Bedard, Navan, Ont., $22,680,000
10. Matt Stairs, Fredericton, N.B., $19,645,000
11. Paul Quantrill, Port Hope, Ont., $19,628,166
12. Jeff Francis, Vancouver, B.C., $15,903,000
13. Mark Teahen, Canadian citizen, $15,489,000
14. Russell Martin, East York, Ont., $13,837,500.
15. Kirk McCaskill, Kapuskasing, Ont., $12,963,500
*Career earnings salary figures are courtesy of http://www.baseballreference.com
Interesting–lots of bucks. Hope they all are able to put that dough to good use–not squander it foolishly, I mean.
Wow, great news for Joey. Just goes to show that Canadians are some of the best in the game!
Now if we can just get him to donate 1% to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame!
From Devon Teeple:
In my opinion this contract is outrageous.
People went nuts when Pujols signed his deal, and this is almost identical right?
I do not believe Votto is in the same category as Pujols or Fielder. This is very risky.