Wow. He pulled a Gil Meche and just gave back the money.

It seems that a disproportionate number of the guys that do this are Japanese. I remember Kenji Johjima doing the same thing, and Kaz Sasaki as well.

Well, they have the option to play in their domestic league. Also, I think Kaz Sasaki had a scandal that he had to deal with.

Jenks gave the Sox a break also.

Well, I guess the Rochester Red Wings are going to need a new middle infielder. Hm, Toby Gardenhire didn't suck that bad in the WBC. Maybe it's time to give Nepotism a chance again. Wouldn't be that much of a difference at times.

Jenks gave the Sox a break also.

I had already completely forgotten about him. Wow.

I think Kaz Sasaki had a scandal that he had to deal with.

Sasaki had the suitcase incident and problems with his wife back in Japan.

My guess is he makes up the difference in Japan over the next few seasons. Japanese scouts were following him in September so it isn't a shock that he would be returning to Japan. The shock is the Twins didn't have to negotiate a buyout.

Nishioka had a pretty rough couple of years. Breaks his leg, gets a divorce, is so bad at baseball he loses his AAA job.

Jenks gave the Sox a break also.

Didn't they come to some agreement? I don't remember him just voluntarily walking away and forfeiting his salary.

They did, but Jenks *could* have kept the whole wad...and I'm surprised we never hear any stories about these players not getting any Christmas cards from MLPBA after they walk away.

They did, but Jenks *could* have kept the whole wad...and I'm surprised we never hear any stories about these players not getting any Christmas cards from MLPBA after they walk away.

Presumably, Jenks got something out of the deal, right?

I'm surprised we never hear any stories about these players not getting any Christmas cards from MLPBA after they walk away.

Why would this be surprising? The MLBPA should tell players that they don't have the right to retire? It's not like a couple of guys walking away from the last year or two of their long-term contracts is going to have any negative impact on the next guy who's trying to negotiate a lucrative long-term contract. OTOH, I bet the MLBPA would have some words with a player who offered to tear up his multi-million dollar contract and play for the minimum instead.

Presumably, Jenks got something out of the deal, right?

He got away from the Red Sox medical staff.

Why would this be surprising? The MLBPA should tell players that they don't have the right to retire? It's not like a couple of guys walking away from the last year or two of their long-term contracts is going to have any negative impact on the next guy who's trying to negotiate a lucrative long-term contract.

Quite the opposite, I'd think. Teams would be much more willing to offer long term deal, particularly to older players, if more of them retired in the face of eroding skills or career-ending injury. Not that there's anything wrong with holding on for the money or the love of the game.