Overuse Penalties Announced

On 24 December 2005, the Commissioner's Office waived considerable 2005 season overuse penalties against a few teams conditional upon a clean record in 2006. Specifically, the White Sox, Marlins, and Athletics had a $1 million penalty waived; the Astros, Cardinals, and Senators $500,000; and the Diamondbacks, Braves, Red Sox, Indians, and Padres $250,000 each.

The Commissioner's Office has reviewed the final 2006 season statistics and is fining these teams for overuse. Any owner wishing to appeal their fines is encouraged to do so to the Overuse Committee--Bob Bierman, Pat Barry, and Steve Sargent. These fines apply against each team's 2007 salary cap.

Arizona Diamondbacks ($250,000 + $56,152=$306,152)
Scott Hairston, 1 AB. This player was ineligible for 2006, but was used even though he had his real-life statistics zeroed out. Because his overuse is 4%, the fine is $56,152, equal to 40% of that player's $140,375 salary.

Chicago White Sox ($1 million + $124,594=$1,124,594)
Dave Roberts, 1 AB. Overuse < 1%, fine is $94,594.
Craig Breslow, .1 IP. Overuse 2-3%, fine is $30,000.

Florida Marlins ($1 million + $60,000=$1,060,000)
Jeremy Hermida, 2 AB. Overuse 4-5%, fine is $50,000.
Will Ohman, .1 IP. Overuse < 1%, fine is $10,000.

Houston Astros ($500,000 + $25,866=$525,866)
Scott Munter, .1 IP. Overuse < 1%, fine is $25,866.

Oakland Athletics ($1,000,000 + $848,260=$1,848,260)
Rod Barajas, 11 AB. Overuse is 2-3%, fine is $191,145.
Gary Matthews, Jr. 7 Games. Overuse is 5-6%, fine is $570,313.
J.C. Romero, 1 IP. Overuse is 1-2%, fine is $21,040.
Julio Santana, .2 IP. Overuse is 1-2%, fine is $20,000.
Chris Spurling, .2 IP. Overuse is <1%, fine is $45,762.

San Diego Padres ($250,000 + $566,527 = $816,527)
Damaso Marte, 3.2 IP. Overuse is 7-8%, fine is $199,988.
Akinori Otsuka, 5.2 IP. Overuse is 9-10%, fine is $366,539.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays ($81,905, to be applied against the New York Yankees)
Joe Crede, 4 ABs. Overuse is < 1%, fine is $81,905.

Toronto Blue Jays ($120,366)
Kelvim Escobar, 1 IP. Overuse is 1-2%, fine is $120,366.

Washington Nationals ($69,211)
Steve Kline, .2 IP. Overuse is 1-2%, fine is $69,211.

If you plan to appeal, please notify the Overuse Committee before December 28. All fines will be final as of January 6, two weeks ahead of the roster deadline.