Sabathia's $2 million incentive for baseball reporters' votes appears to have sunsetted

Sabathia was seen to be a trooper to pitch so many innings in the 2007 regular season, but his post season record didn't expand on that promise. He had 2 million reasons to empty the tank in the regular season. His 2007 contract with the Indians included a

• $2 million salary increase if he won the Cy Young Award.

Checking his new Yankee contract on Cots, I see no mention of BBWAA award incentives. Not even 10 cents. His new contract does not cheat him out of money, it just takes focus and power away from unaccountable employees of far-flung newspapers across the country (or web reporters designated by MLB's Jack O'Connell) and puts them on player contribution to the team (and his employer). Which includes the post season when it matters most.

• New contract with Yankees:

• 7 years/$161M (2009-15)

• signed by NY Yankees as a free agent 12/11/08
• $9M signing bonus (paid in 3 installments: 12/31/08, 3/1/09, 7/31/09
• 09:$14M, 10-15:$23M annually
• salaries to be paid semimonthly over all 12 months of year, rather than semimonthly during season
• Sabathia may opt of of deal after 2011 season
• no-trade protection
• perks: suite on road trips ********

• Old contract with Indians:

• 2 years/$17.5M (2007-08)

• signed extension with Cleveland 4/05, with Indians also exercising 2006 option as part of deal
• 07:$8.75M, 08:$9M***
• may earn $7.75M in award & performance bonuses:
• up to $2M in 2006, $3M in 2007, $2.75M in 2008
• award bonuses for top 5 finish in MVP vote or top 2 finish in Cy Young vote ($0.25M for 2007 Cy Young)
• 2007 Cy Young increases 2008 salary to $11M***
• $0.1M award bonus for All Star selection

The Yankees traditionally do not give award incentives. NY Times,Chass, 11/24/07

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