Professional baseball contracts continue to rise, with annual salaries and bonuses regularly totaling millions of dollars. New records have been set in recent years for baseball contracts, with Yankee Alex Rodriguez currently holding the title of the highest paid baseball player in 2009. Baseball contract year players stand to make considerable gains in new contract negotiations, especially when they reach free agent status. Baseball players in a contract year may put extra effort into their game in oder to secure a good contract in the future, however most teams look at a player's overall performance when negotiating contracts, not just their baseball contract year performance. Still, professional baseball players with good agents and superior records may be able to secure contract deals worth millions of dollars. If they land a guaranteed contract, then their salary is guaranteed even if they are cut early or forced to retire due to injury.