NEW YORK -- Right-hander Phil Bickford was released by the New York Mets on Tuesday after clearing waivers, the second major league player cut loose this month after winning in salary arbitration.
Bickford, a 28-year-old reliever, will receive $217,742 in termination pay rather than the $900,000 salary chosen by a three-person panel over the Mets' $815,000 offer.
Under baseball's collective bargaining agreement, salaries determined in arbitration are not guaranteed. A player with a nonguaranteed contract receives 45 days' termination pay if released within 15 days of opening day and 30 days' pay if released earlier in spring training.