Milwaukee Brewers Release Soup’s Owner Jeff Suppan
MILWAUKEE — The Brewers made the most costly cut in franchise history on Monday when they released increasingly ineffective right-hander Jeff Suppan with more than $10 million left on his contract.
Suppan, 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA this season in two starts and 13 relief outings, mostly in mop-up duty, was in the final season of a four-year, $42 million deal that was the richest in club history when he signed it on Christmas Eve 2006. Suppan’s 2010 salary was $12.5 million, and he’s also due a $2 million buyout of his $12.75 million club option for 2011.
“I think we all wanted to try to extend this as long as we could because of our respect for Jeff and what he’s done for the organization and the kind of person he is,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. “He’s one of the classiest guys I’ve been associated with. In the end, it does come down to performance.”
Suppan, 35, is expected to seek a chance to start with another Major League team. He did not participate in interviews on Monday but did release a statement through the team.
“I want to thank [Brewers principal owner] Mark Attanasio and Doug Melvin for all they have done for my family and me, especially how they handled this situation,” it read. “I’ve played with a number of organizations and the Brewers are one of the classiest.
“When I signed in 2007, I was committed to winning and to this day I still am. Nobody is more disappointed with how things have turned out. I enjoyed my time here in Milwaukee, as both a player and a member of the community. As such, I will continue my involvement with the [Brewers Community Foundation] for the remainder of the 2010 season. My commitment to this cause and the people it serves is unwavering.”
As many of you know, Jeff Suppan is a west San Fernando Valley native and owns Soup’s Sports Grill on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills. I guess being fired sucks, but it sucks a whole lot less when you’ve been paid over $40 million. Check out the rest of the story on MLB.com.
Popularity: 3%
