New York Mets' Francisco Rodriguez May Have Trouble Saving His Contract
Yesterday, the New York Mets took the first steps to void troubled closer Francisco Rodriguez's contract. The Mets put K-Rod on the "disqualified list" which means the team will no longer pay him this season and may consider his contract to be non-guaranteed.
Now, here's K-Rod's big problem. Normally, the players union would bring an immediate labor grievance and take the case to arbitration, where they have been very successful. The Mets claim that K-Rod may have made some admissions to their trainers that he injured himself in the fight with his father-in-law and not on the mound. If this is the case, K-Rod may not be able to testify at a labor arbitration because he might admit his guilt to the pending criminal case. Any testimony given in labor case could be used against K-Rod by the DA.
Remember, you have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in criminal proceedings. K-Rod does not have this right in a labor case. While he could refuse to testify, unlike a criminal case, that choice could be construed against him and could be evidence that the Mets are right.
The bottom line is that K-Rod can't go forward with a grievance until his criminal case is over.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.