Okay, the title is really cliched but I couldn't help myself. From the Daily News:

The deal will pay Small $1.2 million plus incentive bonuses. He made just $149,180 in 2005.

Small was one of the saviors of the Yankees' 2005 season. The journeyman was called up July 17 and finished 10-0 with a 3.20 ERA in nine starts and six relief appearances. He is one of only four pitchers to finish a season unbeaten with at least 10 decisions.

Small can earn $15,000 bonuses for starting 15 and 20 games and $25,000 bonuses for starting 25 and 30 games. The most he ever made in a single season, according to the AP, is $197,500 in 1998.

There was a nice piece on him and his family the other day in the News and the Journal News prints that Aaron seems to be taking it in stride.

"I never saw it coming," Small said from his offseason home in Loudon, Tenn. "It was a lot of fun and I was proud of some of the things I did."

Small was 8-0 with a 3.47 ERA as a starter, but enters spring training penciled into the bullpen if Pavano and Jaret Wright are healthy.

"I've heard I have an outside chance as the fifth starter, and if not maybe as a middle or long reliever," Small said. "They like my flexibility to work in any situation. I'll be ready for whatever they want me to do."

Honestly, I still get a little hung up on these salary amounts and when reporters throw around the words just and only in regards to six and seven-figure salaries. Still, after knowing Aaron's history, watching him pitch the Yankees back into first place and reading about his family, I can't help but feel very happy for him. Let's hope his magic ride continues for at least another year.