It appears the Orioles' payroll will exceed $40 million for the 1995 season. Some of the numbers below and the roster itself are highly speculative -- it is assumed, for example, that the Orioles will sign free agents Ted Higuera and John Franco, as well as San Diego Padres pitcher Andy Benes. But, in any case, the Orioles likely would be subject to any luxury tax enacted after the next labor agreement is reached.
Note: a-projected salary for 1995 for unsigned player; b-Hoiles and the Orioles have an agreement on a five-year, $17.5 million contract.
Player .. .. .. .. 1995 salary .. .. .. Player .. .. .. 1995 salary
Cal Ripken .. .. .. $6,000,000 .. .. .. Leo Gomez .. .. $725,000-a
Rafael Palmeiro ... $5,469,479 .. .. .. Alan Mills .. ..$650,000-a
Andy Benes .. .. .. $4,000,000-a .. .. Ted Higuera .. ..$600,000-a
Ben McDonald .. ... $3,500,000-a .. .. Mark Eichhorn .. $537,500
Chris Hoiles .. ... $3,500,000-b .. .. Bret Barberie .. $535,000-a
Sid Fernandez .. .. $3,333,333 .. .. . Arthur Rhodes .. $275,000-a
Brady Anderson . $3,250,000 .. .. . Jeffrey Hammonds $225,000-a
John Franco .. .. . $2,500,000 .. .. . Sherman Obando ..$180,000
Mike Mussina .. ... $2,000,000-a .. .. Damon Buford .. .$180,000
Harold Baines .. .. $1,600,000 .. .. . Jeff Manto .. .. $150,000
Jamie Moyer .. .. . $1,100,000 .. .. . Curtis Goodwin ..$115,000
Matt Nokes .. .. .. $750,000 .. .. ... Manny Alexander .$115,000
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Armando Benitez .$115,000
Projected 1995 payroll, plus cost of player benefits ($4,779,000)
.. ... ..... ..... ..... ...... ..... ..... .... .... $46,184,312