I'm curious as to whether or not the 'Stros broke the bank, or were offered the preverbial "home-town" discount. My $$$ is on the latter. I'm still psyched though...
From what I have seen, the contract is 2 years, 17.5 million total with a club option on the third year of 9 million.
Here is the breakdown: He gets a $3 million signing bonus, payable $1 million each on March 1, July 1 next year, and March 1, 2004. Kent gets a $6 million salary for 2003, of which $2 million is deferred to March 1, 2005, and $3 million to July 1, 2005. He gets an $8.5 million salary for 2004, of which $2 million is deferred to March 1, 2006, and $3.5 million to July 1, 2006. Houston has a $9 million option for 2005 with a $700,000 buyout. From Fox sports.
Kent Bids Giants Farewell, Agrees to Deal With Astros By MARK BABINECK .c The Associated Press HOUSTON (Dec. 18) -- Jeff Kent and the Houston Astros agreed Wednesday to an 18.2 million , two-year contract, a move that forces Gold Glove second baseman Craig Biggio to move to the outfield. According to this its 18.2 million but Ive heard 3 different ones today.
The 18.2 comes from two years at 17.5 with a $700,000 buyout at the Astros option for the third year. If the Astros pick up the 3rd year, then the contract becomes 26.5 million over 3 years with some of the money deferred.
