The first-ever period of free agency in Dominican professional baseball has created a bonanza for some players as the teams vie for the best of the best. For example, the Leones del Escogido, last year’s celler-dwellers, have opted to pay former New York Yankee catcher Gary Sanchez the sum of RD$3 million a month for the 2023-2024 season.
Another catcher, Webster Rivas, who played for the Gigantes del Cibao, managed to get a new contract with the Toros del Este, and a 164% pay hike. Instead of “just” half a million pesos per month, he will now receive well over a million to play in La Romana.
A pitcher, Esmil Rogers, who had very good numbers last year with the champion Tigres del Licey will jump from RD$700,000 to RD$1.5 million per month.
Even veteran Junior Lake, who was the captain of the Estrellas Orientals for several years, has jumped ship and gone over to the Leones del Escogido for a pay raise of RD$800,000 over his previous salary. And this, in spite of have a well below par season with just seven extra base hits and 179 at bat.
Veteran infielder Starlin Castro will get US$4,000 more with the Aguilas Cibaeñas.
The 2023-2024 Dominican Winter Professional Championship starts in October 2023.
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Listin Diario
27 March 2023