Tuesday, March 14, 2006

The new deal is a two-year deal, wiping out the club option for next season.

After managing the Philadelphia Phillies to four consecutive losing seasons, from 1997-2000, Francona waited more than three years before getting a second managerial position. Accordingly, he was given a deal that was near the bottom end of the pay scale for big-league managers, paying him $1.65 million over three years.

The new contract, by contrast, is expected to boost Francona's salary dramatically, in recognition of the team's performance in his two seasons in the dugout....

It's unlikely Francona will crack the $2-million plateau, though he could reach that figure with available bonuses.