Many had asserted that the New York Mets should use Francisco Rodriguez's assault incident and resulting thumb injury as grounds to get his contract off the books so that the team could sign high-priced free agents.
It appears that they have forgone that opportunity.
According to ESPN, Rodriguez and the club settled their dispute, and the Mets took Rodriguez off the disqualified list and restored his contract that will pay him $11.5 million in 2011, with a conditional option for $17.5 in 2012.
Rodriguez was apologetic in his statements regarding the agreement, and also pledged to give $100,000 annually to New York area charities.
"As I have expressed in the past, I deeply regret the incident that occurred on August 11, 2010," Rodriguez said in a statement. "I sincerely apologize to [owners] Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz, Mets fans, my teammates, and the entire Mets organization. I have worked hard since the incident to make myself a better person and member of this organization.
"I have been participating in an anger management program since August, and I will continue in the program for the foreseeable future. I feel that anger management counseling is undoubtedly making me a better person and a better father, and will make me a better teammate and member of this great organization," he continued.
"I appreciate the faith and support that this organization has shown me throughout this matter," Rodriguez said. "I look forward to being a part of the 2011 Mets and hopefully beyond. I want to put these issues behind me, and behind this organization and its fans.
"I have instructed my attorneys to work toward amicably resolving the other legal matters resulting from this incident. I want my focus to be on my family, my team and being the best closer in baseball in 2011," he concluded.
Rodriguez still faces criminal assault charges and up to two years in prison as a result of the matter, but his lawyer Christopher Booth has said that he will likely settle in that case as well.
Rodriguez had 25 saves and a 2.20 ERA in 2010, and will play winter ball this offseason as part of his injury rehab.
