Mariners Reward the Worst Pitcher in Team History with a $100,000 Raise

Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that you perform badly at your job this year.

Not just sort-of badly, but worse than any person in the history of your company.

In fact, you have one of the thirteen worst performances in the history of your industry.

Would you expect a raise? What about a $100,000 raise?

And, again, for the sake of argument, let's say you got that raise. How motivated would you be to perform better the next year. How would your co-workers feel?

This lovely scenario is not something I dreamed up. No, it's an actual nightmare that we Seattle Mariner fans are living.

Mariner pitcher Horacio Ramirez, who last year became only the 13th pitcher in major league history to start 20 games and have an ERA greater than 7, got a new contract from the Mariners that raises his salary from $2,650,000 to $2,750,000.

This while Felix Hernandez, far and away the Mariners' best pitcher, made only $420,000 last season and stands to make probably not that much more in 2008. (Hernandez is young and not yet eligible for free agency, therefore he makes far less than older, suckier teammates).

$100,000 is not a lot of money for a major league franchise, but, as my roommate's mother points out, "What kind of message does this signing send to people who do a good job and are not rewarded?"

She has a motto for the team: "Your Seattle Mariners--We reward the mediocre."