It's Pay Day for Ryan Church

Ryan Church and the Mets agreed to a $2MM contract for 2008 pretty much making him the starting right fielder on opening day in April.

Here's the crazy part: Church was making $395k last year. So basically he's getting a $1.6MM raise. What were his stats again? Hmmm, Church batted .272 with 15 homers, 70 RBIs and 43 doubles.

So that's worth $2MM in the majors today? What's even funnier is the incentive money that Church can get. He can earn an additional $120,000 in performances bonuses: $50,000 for 450 plate appearances; $40,000 for 535 plate appearances and $30,000 for 550 plate appearances.

So basically church gets a raise if he doesn't get injured or isn't so horrible that Randolph refuses to play him.

In my mind Church has got a lot to prove. This is a one year deal that could amount to something larger if Church is successful. I've always like him as a role player on the Nationals, but a corner outfielder in New York, in my mind, should be a big bat that contributes.

I'd be satisfied if Church bats .275 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs, but if he can exceed those stats he might win over a lot more people that might want him to stick around.

Spring training is right around the corner. I can almost taste it.