Competitive tax balance: $207.2 million
Adjusted for inflation: $358.4 million
Save: 95-67
Once upon a time, the Angels were a playoff regular. And in the 2005 ALDS, Bengie Molina brought the wood for home runs in Games 1, 2 and 3. In the do-or-die Game 5, however, it was Adam Kennedy who played the hero with a two-run triple against Mike Mussina before Francisco ‘K-Rod’ Rodríguez closed out the series.
Best winner: Alex Rodriguez ($25.2 million)
As was the case with the 2007 iteration we just encountered, giving A-Rod a ton of money in 2005 was a really good idea for the Yankees, at least during the regular season. It was also one of his MVP campaigns, hitting .321/.421/.610 with 48 home runs, 130 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. (He was a ghost in the ALDS, however, going 2-for-15 with no RBIs.)
Biggest waste of funds: Kevin Brown ($15.7 million)
At age 40, Brown was in the final season of a 7-year contract worth $105 million, as well as the final season of his career. And in 13 appearances, he gave the Yankees a 6.50 ERA, his last appearance in a game in July.
Gn sports
