Tampa, who lost 3-2 yesterday to the Twins, have made 60 roster moves since the begining of the season. One of ’em involved Sunday’s release of Chris Singleton, who prefered to go home rather than play for the Devil Rays. From the St. Petersberg Times’ Marc Topkin.
Chris Singleton ‘s return to the Devil Rays lasted only two days.
Because of what both sides described as a misunderstanding over $158,000, which the Rays say was not their fault, the veteran outfielder decided he would rather not play without getting the extra money.
The Rays granted him his release after Sunday’s game, and he plans to go home to Atlanta and pursue a broadcast career and other business interests. Singleton, 32, was headed in that direction during the five weeks since the Rays let him go in mid May but said he agreed to come back because of the chance to make the additional money.
“I felt like I put things I wanted to pursue on hold to come back and help out and also earn the extra income,” Singleton said. “When I found out that wasn’t accurate, it really kind of rocked my world because I was doing it because of it. It was somewhat of a business decision I had to make.”
When Singleton (above) was released May 27 after being designated for assignment and passing unclaimed through waivers, the Rays were obligated to pay him the rest of his $550,000 salary.
He technically signed a new contract for the $316,000 minimum and believed he would get a prorated share of that, about $158,000, on top of the money he already was owed – essentially getting paid under two contracts, with the additional money making up for the incentive bonus clauses from the first contract he lost.
But Rays assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said the situation is no different than if Singleton had signed with another team that paid him the minimum and the Rays had to pay him the rest and clearly put the blame on agent Dan Horwits .