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Nov 10, 2009
Los Angeles Buys out Garland Making Him Eligible For Free Agency
MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers have declined a $10 million mutual option on pitcher Jon Garland for next season which will make him eligible for the free agent market. The right handed starting pitcher will be bought out for $2.5 million because the team declined his option, as opposed to the $1 million he would have received had he declined the option. Garland made $6.25 million this year, but because he was acquired in a trade deal, the Dodgers can't offer him salary arbitration as a Type A free agent.
The move to buy Garland out and cut their losses was a smart one for the organization, and one that will likely have a positive affect on the team's pitching performance next season. Since being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for infielder Tony Abreu right before the July 31 trade deadline, Garland pitched in only six games for the Dodgers, and although he was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA, he didn't even make their playoff roster. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games with Arizona. Clearly, his potential ability and his role with the Dodgers were in question making him worth significantly less money than he felt he deserved. The Dodgers are a sure bet to acquire better talent for the $7.5 million they saved by not picking up his option which will increase the sportsbooks' betting odds on their chances of repeating as the NL West division champs.
By Bryan Jackson
Staff Writer
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