Clyde McPhatter & Barrett Strong

For those of you under a certain age, the answer is no, these aren’t two sleeper prospects for your 2017 Fantasy Baseball roster. In 1953, Clyde McPhatter was the lead singer of the Drifters when they recorded “Money Honey” (later covered by Elvis Presley). Not to be confused with the Lady Gaga song, it’s lyrics include…

 

Well, I learned my lesson and now I know–

 

The sun may shine and the wind may blow–

 

Women may come, and the women may go,

 

But before I say I love ’em so,

 

I want–money, honey!

 

Money, honey

 

Money, honey,

 

If you wanna get along with me.

 

The fledgling Motown Records was provided with important capital when Barrett Strong hit the charts in 1960 with “Money, That’s What I Want” (later covered by the Beatles).

 

The best things in life are free–

 

But you can keep ’em for the birds and bees,

Now give me money, (that’s what I want), that’s what I want.

 

As we continue to marvel at MLB’s endlessly deep wallets this off-season, let’s give you an opportunity to once again be a General Manager. Based on some minimal research, it appears that there are 25 current major league players who will make at least $20 Million for the 2020 season. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to determine which of these players you would really want on your roster in 2020 at these prices. Some figures represent the actual salary for ’20, while others are an average of a long-term deal. We won’t quibble over a million here or a million there. The player’s age for that season is listed to help with your analysis. As you read the names and think, “This guy is on the downside of his career”, remember that three more full seasons need to be played before these salaries come due.

 

> Max Scherzer, age 36, $35.9 Million

 

> Clayton Kershaw, age 32, $35.6 Million

 

> Zach Greinke, age 36, $35 Million

 

> Mike Trout, age 28, $34 Million

 

> David Price, age 34, $32 Million

 

> Miguel Cabrera, age 37, $30 Million

 

> Yoenis Cespedes, age 34, $29.5 Million

 

> Albert Pujols, age 40, $29 Million

 

> Giancarlo Stanton, age 30, $26 Million

 

> Joey Votto, age 36, $25 Million

 

> Stephen Strasburg, age 31, $25 Million

 

> Jordan Zimmermann, age 34, $25 Million

 

> Robinson Cano, age 37, $24 Million

 

> Masahiro Tanaka, age 31, $23 Million

 

> Freddie Freeman, age 30, $22.4 Million

 

> Justin Upton, age 32, $22.1 Million

 

> Wei-Yin Chen, age 34, $22 Million

 

> Buster Posey, age 33, $21.2 Million

 

> Jacoby Ellsbury, age 36, $21.1 Million

 

> Chris Davis, age 34, $21.1 Million

 

> Jayson Heyward, age 30, $21 Million

 

> Johnny Cueto, age 34, $21 Million

 

> Shin-Soo Choo, age 37, $21 Million

 

> Jon Lester, age 36, $20 Million

 

> Justin Turner, age 35, $20 Million

 

 

OK, GM…how many of these paupers are on your team in 2020? More than five? Of course, it’s an easier commitment when you don’t have to write the check.