Money For Nothing

A $252 million contract for Alex Rodriguez? Who do the Rangers think he is, Roy Hobbs? Which got us wondering: How much would Hobbs and other cinematic players make in baseball's irrationally exuberant free-agent market?

ROY HOBBS
The Natural

Scouting report: Lefty clutch hitter with Ruthian power to all fields.

Bottom line: "He's aging and injury-prone, so a team would be concerned about him finishing the season," says agent Am Tellem, who represents Nomar Garciaparra, "but he can carry a franchise, so I'd say one year at $20 million."

NUKE LALOOSH
Bull Durham

Scouting report: Righty starter with 90-mph fastball and occasional control problems. Early lowdown noted he had "a million-dollar arm and a five-cent head."

Bottom line: Pirates general manager Cam Bonifay says, "With the absence of starting pitching today, I'm sure some team would be willing to risk $3 million to $4 million a year."

STEVE NEBRASKA
The Scout

Scouting report: Righty starter with 112-mph fastball. Also a dangerous hitter who can go yard from both sides of the plate.

Bottom line: "This is a guy who can do it all. You're talking A-Rod plus, more than $25 million a year," says Tellem, "but the team will want an out in the contract in case he flakes out."