A BYRD WORTH 8 MILLION DOLLARS
The Indians announced today that they have exercised their 2008 club options on right-hander Paul Byrd, closer Joe Borowski and left-handed reliever Aaron Fultz.
Byrd's $8 million option had seemed a no-brainer for the Tribe after he went 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA this season and pitched the Indians to victory in Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees and Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Red Sox.
But on the morning of Game 7 against the Sox, it came to light that Byrd had purchased and used human-growth hormones between 2002-05. That revelation clouded his future with the Tribe, as it's possible Byrd might face a suspension from MLB in 2008.
The 36-year-old Byrd has admitted to using the drugs, but he said he took them under doctor's orders to combat an HGH deficiency. MLB is supposed to investigate the matter this off-season, though no new information has emerged in recent weeks, and Byrd has yet to be interviewed.
If Byrd were suspended for any length of time, the Indians would not have to pay his salary for the duration of the suspension.
In retaining Byrd, the Indians are banking on the veteran continuing to provide the clubhouse leadership he has displayed over two seasons with the club. While his '06 season, in which he went 10-9 with a 4.88 ERA, was considered a disappointment, Byrd rebounded this season, posting the fewest walks per nine innings (1.31) in the AL and tossing a pair of complete-game shutouts.
Byrd's $8 million option had seemed a no-brainer for the Tribe after he went 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA this season and pitched the Indians to victory in Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees and Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Red Sox.
But on the morning of Game 7 against the Sox, it came to light that Byrd had purchased and used human-growth hormones between 2002-05. That revelation clouded his future with the Tribe, as it's possible Byrd might face a suspension from MLB in 2008.
The 36-year-old Byrd has admitted to using the drugs, but he said he took them under doctor's orders to combat an HGH deficiency. MLB is supposed to investigate the matter this off-season, though no new information has emerged in recent weeks, and Byrd has yet to be interviewed.
If Byrd were suspended for any length of time, the Indians would not have to pay his salary for the duration of the suspension.
In retaining Byrd, the Indians are banking on the veteran continuing to provide the clubhouse leadership he has displayed over two seasons with the club. While his '06 season, in which he went 10-9 with a 4.88 ERA, was considered a disappointment, Byrd rebounded this season, posting the fewest walks per nine innings (1.31) in the AL and tossing a pair of complete-game shutouts.
posted by TMC NEWS at 12:31 PM
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