Baseball - Cut Ties With Bagwell

As it was expected for a few weeks already, the Houston Astros decided to decline Jeff Bagwell's $18 million option. In order to complete an $85 million, five-year contract, the team will have to give to their career home run and RBI leader a $7 million buyout to complete.

Bagwell, 38, missed the entire last season because of an arthritic right shoulder. As a result the Astros tried to recoup about $15.6 million in insurance. Even though his agent, Barry Axelrod, explained that the player will not be able to play soon in another club, Bagwell has no intention to officially retire. The Astros, including general manager Tim Purpura and owner Drayton McLane, already expressed their desire to see Bagwell to stay with the Astros in another capacity. Bagwell is about to discuss with his wife what level of involvement he wants with the Astros.

Bagwell recorded outstandingly 449 home runs and 1,529 RBI in his whole career with the Astros. From 1991-2005 Bagwell has always been the first baseman on Opening Day for the Astros. He is also a four-time All-Star and the 1994 NL MVP and the only first baseman with 400 home runs and 200 stolen bases.

In his whole career Bagwell hit .297. He has become one of nine players in NL history to win an MVP and rookie of the year awards. Only Craig Biggio, who has been with the Astros for 19 years, has been with the club longer than him.

Bagwell made an unsuccessful comeback attempt in spring training after pinch-hitting in the 2005 playoffs and then working as designated hitter in the first two games of the World Series. He started several spring games at first base but had to leave early in two of them because of soreness in his shoulder.

But in January, the Astros filed a claim to get back most of the $17 million Bagwell was owed last year after considering him too injured to play. When the claim was denied by Connecticut General Life Insurance, the Astros sued the company in April.