NEW YORK -- Denny Neagle's grievance against the Colorado Rockies to overturn the team's termination of his contract will be heard on April 14-15 by baseball arbitrator Shyam Das.
Colorado terminated the pitcher's contract on Dec. 6, three days after he was issued a citation for solicitation. Neagle pleaded innocent last week to the charge, which stems from an allegation that he offered a woman $40 for sex.
Neagle, who has not pitched in a game since July 2003 because of
injuries, agreed in December 2000 to a $51 million, five-year
contract that called for him to be paid $10 million this year. In
addition, the deal contains a $12.5 million team option for 2006
with a $9 million buyout, meaning he would be owed $19 million by
the Rockies if Das rules in his favor.
In terminating Neagle's deal, Colorado cited the provision in the uniform player contract that states the team can end the
agreement if the player shall "fail, refuse or neglect to conform
his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship and good
sportsmanship."
The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance against the termination on Dec. 14.
Neagle, 36, has a 124-92 career record with a 4.24 ERA over 11 seasons, going 19-23 with a 5.57 ERA for the Rockies. The
left-hander has had elbow ligament and shoulder operations since he
last pitched.