The Mets won the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes, signing the outfielder to a seven-year, $119M contract earlier this week. According to the details released by the Associated Press, Beltran will receive an $11M signing bonus in addition to salaries of $10M in 2005, $12M in 2006 and 2007, as well as $18.5M in each of the seasons from 2008 through 2011. He should receive $7M of his signing bonus immediately and collect the remainder in $2M increments paid out in January of 2006 and January of 2007. From 2008 through 2011 when he's earning $18.5M a season, New York will defer $8.5M from his salary each year at a compounded interest rate of 1.72% until an undisclosed date.

The contract awards him a $100,000 bonus for making the All-Star team, finishing with the most All-Star votes in the league, winning a Gold Glove, winning the Silver Slugger Award, winning the Hank Aaron Award, or being a Postseason All-Star or player of the year. An LCS MVP is worth $150,000 while a World Series MVP earns him $250,000. Finishing from 2nd-5th place in MVP voting results in a $200,000 bonus. The first time Beltran wins an MVP he will receive $500,000; his second MVP is worth $1M. In the event he wins a third MVP, he will collect $1.5M for that MVP and every one thereafter. The Mets will provide him with the best available 15-person luxury suite for all home games, including post-season games. New York also will procure a hotel suite for him on the road and lease a conditioned ocular enhancer machine. As a part of the contract, Beltran agreed to donate $150,000 a year to a charity of his choice and a matching sum to a charity of the Mets' choice.