The Baltimore Orioles released Jay Gibbons on Sunday.The 31-year-old outfielder, who batted just .189 with no homers and four RBIs in 16 games this spring, is owed $11.9 million by the O's to cover his salary for the next two seasons. He agreed to a $21.1 million, four-year contract in January 2006... hind-sight is 20/20, as they say.
Gibbons was given a 15-day suspension in early December, along with Kansas City Royals outfielder Jose Guillen, after a media report stated that they had received a shipment of HGH after January of 2005, when it was already banned by MLB.
However, the commissioner’s office and players association put the penalties on hold Friday for 10 days to let negotiations simmer over their drug policy. If a deal is struck, the suspensions will most likely be dropped.
With little room for a crappy outfielder or designated hitter who doesn't even hit bombs, the O's went with Scott Moore as their utilityman, claiming Gibbons' troubles had nothing to do with their decision. Now they will eat almost $12 million clams.
In other O's news, pitcher Rocky Cherry has been placed on the DL with a right shoulder strain. The 27-year-old righty went 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 appearances with the Chicago Cubs last season, and posted a 7.71 ERA in 10 games with Baltimore.
[Oriole Post]
No comments:
Post a Comment