Latest Update form ESPN:
Attorneys and prosecutors continue to work on a plea bargain in the case of New York Mets reliever Francisco Rodriguez, who is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree harassment and criminal contempt.
Rodriguez would not comment Wednesday morning after appearing briefly in Queens Criminal Court. After the hearing, Judge Elisa Koenderman adjourned the case until Dec. 3, mentioning Rodriguez’s next court appearance as “a possible disposition or trial date.”
But Christopher Booth, Rodriguez’s attorney, is confident the case will be disposed of. “This is not going to go to trial,” he said Wednesday.
Original Post
Adam Rubin of ESPN tells us that Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a court date scheduled for today at 9:30 AM at Queens Criminal Court.
Rodriguez’s defense attorney, Christopher Booth, had indicated at last month’s hearing that a plea bargain likely could be in place by this scheduled courthouse visit.
Rodriguez already has settled his grievance with the Mets. He forgoed the $3.1 million the Mets’ withheld in 2010 pay and was reinstated from the disqualified list.
Rubin also reminds us that Rodriguez is set to earn $11.5 million next season, in the final guaranteed year of his contract. The contract will vest for 2012 if he finishes 55 games. Otherwise, he is entitled to a $3.5 million buyout — essentially making his 2011 salary $15 million.
There has been some speculation the Mets could try and move Rodriguez, and one Angels beat reporter suggested a possible return to Anaheim, but the odds are K-Rod will still be on the team come opening day.
