Rockies, Neagle settle grievance over dismissal

DENVER -- Pitcher Denny Neagle reached a settlement Thursday over his grievance against the Colorado Rockies, who terminated his contract last winter after he was issued a citation for soliciting sex from a prostitute.

Terms of the settlement were not released by Major League Baseball and a staffer in the Rockies public relations office said the team was not releasing any information.

In 2000, Neagle signed a five-year, $51 million contract that called for him to be paid $10 million in 2005. The deal contained a $12.5 million team option for 2006 with a $9 million buyout.

It meant there was as much as $19 million riding on his hearing with arbitrator Shyam Das this week.

The Rockies terminated Neagle's contract last Dec. 6, citing a provision in the uniform language of the contract stating the team can end a contract if the player shall "fail, refuse or neglect to conform his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship and good sportsmanship."

Neagle has not pitched in a game since July 2003 because of injuries.

After being cut by the Rockies, he agreed to a minor league contract with Tampa Bay, then was released. He has a 124-92 career record with a 4.24 ERA over 11 seasons, going 19-23 with a 5.57 ERA for the Rockies.