Hope the Dodgers have earned the right to use Gagne for more than an inning at a time without criticism.

Some previous entries:
October 4, 2004: No Proof That Mota Trade Hurt Gagne
August 14, 2004: Eric Gagne: Setup Man
April 23, 2003: Eric Gagne Is So Good

Update: Brad Penny asks for $5.7 million; the Dodgers counter at $4.7 million, according to MLB.com.

Update 2: The Gagne contract terms, from The Associated Press:

He will get $8 million this year and $10 million in 2006. Los Angeles has a $12 million option for 2007 with a $1 million buyout, but Gagne has the right to void the option and become eligible for free agency. If he voids the option, he would receive a buyout of $250,000 to $1 million, depending games finished the next two years.

In other words, if Gagne thinks he is worth more than $12 million for the 2007 season, he can declare free agency - and get six figures and a blender in parting gifts to boot. Still, as complicated as that third-year option sounds, and as much as it is tilted toward Gagne, it is not something to be worked up over.

As with the J.D. Drew deal, the worst-case scenario is that the Dodgers will have the money to spend elsewhere in '07. Even better than the Drew deal, the Dodgers aren't committed to any more years than Gagne is.

Update 3: AP reports that Alex Cora will make $1.3 million in 2005 from Cleveland - no raise from his 2004 salary - to go with $1.4 million in 2006. However, he can almost double his contract value through incentives, and can void Year 2 if he achieves 450 plate appearances in Year 1. The Indians are not handing him a starting role, though.