Associated Press 20y

Pirates fed up with troubled outfielder

Pittsburgh Pirates

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates finally ran out of
patience with absent outfielder Raul Mondesi, terminating his
contract Wednesday when he didn't show up for the start of a three-game series against San Diego.

Raul Mondesi

Left Field
Pittsburgh Pirates


Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GMHRRBIRSBAVG
2621480.283

The Pirates cited breach of contract in ending all dealings with
Mondesi, who was hitting .283 with two homers and 14 RBI when he
left them May 7 to return to his native Dominican Republic and fight a lawsuit.

Mondesi was not disappointed by the Pirates' decision.

"I feel relieved now," Mondesi told The Associated Press. "I
want the best for the Pirates, and considering my situation in the
Dominican Republic I wasn't going to be much help to them at this
moment. I have an issue to resolve and the Pirates have a schedule
to complete. I understand that they've taken this measure."

Mondesi was paid approximately $192,000 of his guaranteed $1.75
million contract before leaving, but the Pirates are not required
to pay any more money. He was due a $600,000 buyout if the team did
not pick up his $8 million option for 2005.

Normally, clubs are responsible for the remainder of a player's
contract if they release him, but Mondesi voluntarily left the
Pirates.

"Initially, we were supportive of Raul and wanted to help him
through this situation, with the idea of him coming back to play
for us," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said. "But as
time went on, and with us playing games every night, we had to make
a call whether he was in or out. We gave him a deadline and he did
not meet that deadline."

The Pirates were so quick to rid themselves of all connections
to Mondesi, they pulled copies of their monthly team magazine with
Mondesi on the cover and rushed out a new issue featuring shortstop
Jack Wilson.

Mondesi said he was too distracted by family worries and the
lawsuit when he didn't show up for the May 7 game against Los
Angeles. Since then, the Pirates worked to get Mondesi back, but he
told AP shortly after leaving that he wouldn't play for them again this season.

Still, Mondesi could play for another team this season if he
chooses. If he clears waivers Friday, he becomes a free agent who
can sign with any team. That team does not have to pick up
Mondesi's contract and, should it choose, could give him more money
than he was making in Pittsburgh.

"My next court date is June 13," Mondesi said. "Depending on
what happens there, I'll make a decision about my immediate future
in baseball."

Mondesi told several newspapers last week that he was
dissatisfied with his Pittsburgh contract, but Littlefield doesn't
think the salary concerns affected his decision not to return.
Mondesi made $13 million last season with the Yankees and
Diamondbacks.

Mondesi, 33, has a career batting average of .276 with 266
homers and 842 RBI in 12 seasons with the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Yankees, Diamondbacks and Pirates.

When Mondesi left the Pirates, he said he was fearful for his
family's safety as he fights a lawsuit by former major leaguer
Mario Guerrero, who says Mondesi promised him 1 percent of his
major league earnings for helping develop his skills.

Mondesi argues he never met Guerrero until his career was well
advanced. A Dominican civil court ruled in February that Mondesi
owes Guerrero about $640,000, but Mondesi is appealing.

Once the Pirates determined Mondesi wasn't coming back, they put
outfielder J.J. Davis (injured pinky finger) on the disabled list
and purchased the contract of outfielder Ruben Mateo from Triple-A
Nashville.

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