Ventura, 35, re-signed with the New York Yankees for next year at $5 million US.
That's a whopping $3.25 million US less than the all-star third baseman earned this past season.
"I kind of figured there would be a little bit of a cut," Ventura said. "Obviously, with the labour deal that was reached, it's a different year for the Yankees."
Robin Ventura will reportedly earn $5 million US next season.(CP Photo)
Ventura, who passed his physical on Thursday, hit .247 with 27 home runs, 93 runs batted in and 68 runs scored in 141 games.
He led the Yankees with four RBIs in the American League Division Series, too.
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"Robin Ventura's production and veteran leadership were invaluable to the Yankees in 2002," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
"I'm with a great group of people that I enjoy playing with," Ventura added. "I'm with a great team.
"I really enjoyed it last year." This year, the Yankees will be forced to contend with the incoming luxury tax, so are resigned to cutting their massive $135-million US player payroll.
"It's still going to be a good team," Ventura said. "I don't expect it to all of a sudden turn into a bad team."
When Ventura was acquired from the cross-town Mets for David Justice on Dec. 7, 2001, Drew Henson was projected to inherit the hot corner in 2003.
However, the highly-touted propect struck out 151 times in 471 at-bats playing for the Columbus Clippers of the AAA International League.
Henson finished with a .240 average, 18 homers and 65 RBIs, prompting the Yankees to secure Ventura's services for another season.
"I don't feel I need at this point to get two years," Ventura said. "I think sometimes to play somewhere you want to play, you might have to make a concession.
"That one was easy for me."
"We look forward to him being a key contributor in our quest for another world championship in 2003," Cashman added.
Ventura is a lifetime .269 hitter with 275 homers, 1,099 RBIs, 945 runs and 995 walks against 1,061 strikeouts in 1,839 games over 14 MLB seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Mets and Yankees.
He is the active leader among major leaguers with 16 grand slams.
