LA Dodgers Let Go of Dustin McGowan; Team Owes Former Players $43.8M in Backpay

Dustin McGowan was recently released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the team currently owes some former members millions in backpay.

Yahoo Sports reported that right-hander McGowan is set to get $124,795 in termination pay after the Dodgers decided to release him on April 1, instead of paying him his salary of $507,500. McGowan would have earned a bonus of $1 million for playing even just one day in the major league.

McGowan was in camp in a deal that guaranteed him a major league minimum pay with the $1 million opening day roster bonus. The 33-year-old played well in the past year for the Blue Jays, coming off the pen. Although he struggled as a starter, he was effective in opposing hitters to a line of .215/.284/.405 and posted an ERA of 3.35 in 43 relief innings. He was not as good during the spring, giving up 12 hits in eight innings, which may have prompted the Dodgers to release him, based on a report by MLBTradeRumors. In the end, Mike Adams emerged as the better choice.

ESPN reported that McGowan went through number of career injuries such as three shoulder operations, knee surgery, Tommy John elbow reconstruction, plantar fasciitis, oblique strain and Type 1 diabetes. Los Angeles has taken risks on many injury-prone pitchers such as Brett Anderson, Brandon Beachy and David Aardsma. They may not be ready to take on the injury risks of McGowan, especially without Kenley Jansen to start the season due to left foot surgery.

Don Mattingly, manager of the Dodgers, said, "He's another guy who has high upside as a reliever, still has power stuff and is a competitive guy. He creates more competition in our camp and just gives us another option."

The Dodgers is also set to pay Brian Wilson $10 million after the reliever was let go in December 2014. The team will pay $3 million to Chad Billingsley after buying the pitcher out. Furthermore, Los Angeles will pay San Diego $18 million as part of a trade in December 2014, involving outfielder Matt Kemp and catcher Tim Federowicz. The Dodgers will pay $12,684,250 to Miami due to a trade in December involving pitcher Dan Haren and infielders Miguel Rojas and Dee Gordon. Los Angeles will pay Mike Adams a roster bonus of $100,000 by starting him off in Triple-A.

As for income, the Dodgers is set to receive some seven figures from trades involving players it acquired. Los Angeles will get $1 million from Philadelphia and $3.9 million from Boston.