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Mets Bobby Bonilla Contract

2000 • MLB • Front Office Mistake • Deferred Contract
Mets Bobby Bonilla Contract — SportsMistakes artwork

THE STORY

In 2000, the New York Mets released Bobby Bonilla, who was owed $5.9 million for the final year of his contract. Instead of a lump-sum payment, the Mets agreed to a deferred compensation plan, paying Bonilla $1.19 million annually from 2011 to 2035, totaling approximately $29.8 million. This arrangement has become known as "Bobby Bonilla Day," with payments continuing each July 1. (latimes.com)

TEAMS / PEOPLE: New York Mets

WHY IT MATTERS

The deferred contract has been widely discussed as a notable front office decision in Major League Baseball, illustrating the complexities and potential long-term implications of financial agreements in professional sports.

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