Saturday, February 12, 2011

Three more signings

The Astros have signed three more to one-year deals:

Sergio Escalona ($417,000)
Henry Villar ($416,500)
Arcenio Leon ($414,000)

For the record, here is your payroll for 2011, to this point (among those with a shot at the Opening Day roster):

Carlos Lee: $18.5m
Wandy Rodriguez: $7m
Brett Myers: $7m
Brandon Lyon: %5.25m
Michael Bourn: $4.4m
Clint Barmes: $3.92m
Bill Hall: $3m
Jeff Keppinger: $2.3m
Humberto Quintero: $1m
Jason Michaels: $900,000
Nelson Figueroa: $900,000
Ryan Rowland-Smith: $725,000
Jeff Fulchino: $467,000
Wilton Lopez: $442,000
Chris Johnson: $424,000
Jason Bourgeios: $424,000
Brett Wallace: $418,000
Enerio Del Rosario: $417,000
Sergio Escalona: $417,000
Henry Villar: $416,500
Brian Bogusevic: $416,500
Arcenio Leon: $414,000

Whatever the outcome of Pence's arbitration hearing, he'll be the 10th (and final) player to make $1m+ in 2011. That ties the Astros with the Pirates and Padres for the fewest number of millionaires in the NL. The Indians will have eight (likely nine, with the Orlando Cabrera signing) for the fewest millionaires in the Majors.

Of this group, the Astros are the only team - according to Baseball-Reference's Payroll Estimator - with a projected payroll over $56m. Just think about that for a second.