Quick Notes: Bobby Bonilla's infamous contract was purchased at an auction

Bobby Bonilla's infamous contract with the New York Mets which pays him nearly $1.2 million through 2035 when he is 72 years old, was purchased in auction for nearly $200 thousand on Saturday. The auction winner will also receive a 30-minute Zoom call with Bonilla and other perks.

Bobby Bonilla’s contract – specifically the deferred compensation agreement – has sold at auction for $180,000 on collectibles marketplace Goldin. Bidding closed late Saturday night.

Bonilla was released by the Mets in 2000, with the team still owing the third baseman $5.9 million. Instead of paying the deal out, Mets ownership thought it is best financially to defer payments on Bonilla’s contract, spreading it across 25 years with eight percent interest.   On a day known only as "Bobby Bonilla Day" to Mets fans, Bonilla receives a $1,193,248.20 payment every July 1.

The auction winner also receives two 30-minute Zoom calls – one with Bonilla himself and one with Dennis Gilbert, the agent who negotiated Bonilla’s deferment deal. He also gets a game-used bat from Bonilla’s collection, a signed baseball, and a 1-of-1 NFT of Bonilla’s contract.

On top of it all, the winner will spend a day with Bonilla in New York, complete with breakfast, a trip to Citi Field for batting practice, and a Mets game and dinner. The trip is set to take place in 2023.

Bonilla’s contract has been in Gilbert’s possession since the original signing. The lot includes a letter of provenance with Gilbert and a letter of authenticity from Beckett authentication.