Braves - The Best in the Bigs

With this afternoons come from behind 3-2 win over the New York Metropolitans, the Bravos are sitting at 5-1, the best record in Major League Baseball.

In not-so-favorable news today, the Braves highest paid player (13th highest paid player in the majors), Left Handed Starting Pitcher Mike Hampton, cut his bullpen session short with pain in his throwing elbow - the same surgically repaired elbow that has not allowed him to pitch in a ballgame since August 19, 2005. Hampton is traveling to New York to visit with the Doc who performed the Tommy John Surgery on him in September '05.

Here is the top 10 on the 2007 Atlanta Braves Payroll (with approximate salary in millions):

1. Mike Hampton ($15.5)
2. Andruw Jones ($14)
3. Chipper Jones ($12.3)
4. Edgar Renteria ($10)
5. Tim Hudson ($8.5)
6. John Smoltz ($8)
7. Bob Wickman ($6.5)
8. Mike Gonzalez ($2.4)
9. Craig Wilson ($2)
10. Rafael Soriano ($1.2)

Everyone after Soriono is under $1 million in salary this season. Pete Orr #22 on the salary rank - he is pulling down $400,000 this year.

So, you say, if Mike Hampton is the 13th highest paid player in MLB, who are the top 12?

Well, ask and you shall receive. See the list right here (with approximate salary in millions and team):

1. Alex Rodriguez ($27.7, New York Yankees)
2. Jason Giambi ($23.4, New York Yankees)
3. Derek Jeter ($21.6, New York Yankees)
4. Manny Ramirez ($17, Boston Red Sox)
5. Todd Helton ($16.6, Colorado Rockies)
6. Bartolo Colon ($16, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
7. Andy Pettitte ($16, New York Yankees)
8. Jason Schmidt ($15.7, Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles)
9. Jim Thome ($16.7, Chicago White Sox)
10. Bobby Abreau ($15.6, New York Yankees)
11. Barry Bonds ($15.5, San Franciso Giants)
12. Richie Sexson ($15.5, Seattle Mariners)

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sunday April 8, 2007; Section B

Man the Yanks have a lot of money.