His first contract with the team — for $24 million over two years — was a steal. But by stretching it to six years, the Yankees kept the annual value to $15 million per season. That is an important consideration if the team hopes to stay under the $210 million payroll threshold to avoid paying Major League Baseball’s heavy penalty. In the Yankees’ case, a lack of payroll flexibility has led to some unusual moves. On Monday they traded an extravagance — Adam Ottavino, one of three Yankees relievers who made at least $9 million per season — to the Boston Red Sox, of all teams.

Source: New York Times January 28, 2021 23:37 UTC