This should stimulate some disgust

As usual, Major League Baseball is way ahead of the government.

It instituted an $857 million stimulus package and didn’t have to run it past anybody.

That’s the total value of the contracts signed by CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard, Ryan Dempster, Brian Fuentes, Frankie Rodriguez, Milton Bradley, Derek Lowe, Nick Markakis, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, A.J. Burnett and Brad Lidge that take effect this season.

During this time of super-recession, owners handed out the second-, third-, seventh- and ninth-highest contracts in history to closers (according to average annual value), the first-, sixth-, eighth-, 12th- and 14th- highest contracts to starting pitchers, and the top two contracts to first basemen.

So much for those murmurings about collusion.

The baseball owners might not be spending like drunken sailors anymore. Maybe drunken bankruptcy lawyers.

The Gary Matthews Jr.’s of the world aren’t getting a guaranteed $50 million with a no-trade clause, but Burnett, a pitcher who has made 30 starts in three seasons out of nine, got a five-year deal from the New York Yankees.

For the most part, the owners have rewarded quality. The Philadelphia Phillies bought out all of Howard’s arbitration years with their $54 million, three-year deal, and have the 2006 MVP, the 2007 MVP (Jimmy Rollins), the 41-for-41 save artist (Lidge) and the best second baseman in baseball (Chase Utley) tied up through 2011.

The volcanic and brittle Bradley is born for one-year contracts, but he led the American League in OPS with Texas last year and got $30 million over three years from the Chicago Cubs.

Even Adam Dunn, born too late for Home Run Derby, got a $20 million, two-year commitment from the Washington Nationals.

Since the Nationals are situated so close to Congress, that contract is rumored to include three water projects, an elevator to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and a study to find more energy-efficient can openers.

And, yes, somebody will sign Manny Ramirez and keep his family clothed for the immediate future.

Some worthy veterans are still hanging. Ken Griffey Jr., Garret Anderson, Pudge Rodriguez, Joe Crede, Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hudson, Jim Edmonds, Ray Durham, Mark Grudzielanek, Emil Brown, Damion Easley, Shannon Stewart, Scott Hatteberg, Jose Vidro and Johnny Estrada are still out there.

Those who still need pitching can look at Pedro Martinez, Chad Cordero, Tom Glavine, Livan Hernandez, Eric Gagne, Jason Isringhausen, Dennys Reyes, Braden Looper, Joe Beimel, Ron Villone and Joe Borowski.

Then there’s Commissioner Bud Selig. His salary in 2008, according to an Associated Press report based on his tax return, was $17.5 million.

Is there a congressional committee that wants Selig to explain his startling compensation?

Considering that a baseball club’s average value has increased 150 percent in 11 years, and that baseball’s $6 billion revenues rival the NFL’s, he’d be happy to.