Earlier today I wrote about Nick Markakis being dissatisfied with his low pay raise, but someone should let the guy know that things could be worse - he could be making league minimum.

That's the boat in which our dear Jobamania is sailing. Despite his fantastic season, the Yankees determined that he was not worth a dime more than they were forced to throw at him, which is $390,000. For most of us regular Joes/Joe-ettes, such a sum would be more than sufficient for our needs (copious amounts of Diet Dr Pepper and black eyeliner, in my case), but when it comes to baseball just about every player earns more than that after their first year.

To be fair, Joba is still technically a rookie - he didn't pitch enough innings last year to take him out of that category - and the Yankees weren't obligated to boost his salary. Only players that have been with the team for at least three seasons are eligible for arbitration, so there was no bargaining possible. Even so, would it have killed Stein and his Steinettes to throw a couple G's at the kid? This is how they thank him for saving the day and helping the team to the playoffs? Forget the gnats. That kid was KEY to the end of the season!

Let's just hope Stein is more generous with me when he wisely determines that the YC should become the team's personal blogger. I'm thinking www.steinlovesveterans.com.