Apropos of last night/this morning’s Ian Stewart Twitter flap, let me present the kinda-sorta resolution, as it played out on Twitter.
From Stewart:
https://twitter.com/IAN_STEWART_2sc/status/344556763477073921
https://twitter.com/IAN_STEWART_2sc/status/344556884663095296
https://twitter.com/IAN_STEWART_2sc/status/344556977608867841
From Dale Sveum (not on the Twitterz, mind you, but this is as close as it gets):
Sveum responds to Stewart: "It's unfortunate that somebody can be that unprofessional…it reflects on everybody here."
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) June 11, 2013
Sveum: "The things that Ian's put on Twitter before – I guess you're probably not (surprised)."
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) June 11, 2013
Sveum on Stewart: "I was all on board bringing him back and giving him a chance…obviously it didn't work out." #Cubs
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) June 11, 2013
From a statement by Ian Stewart’s agent:
Ian Stewart's agent, Larry Reynolds: "I have spoken to both Ian and Theo regarding Ian's tweets last night. Ian is very apologetic…(more)
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 11, 2013
Reynolds: "… for venting his frustrations with his situation in that manner. He has apologized to the Cubs organization and (more)…"
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 11, 2013
Reynolds: "… does not want to be a further distraction. With that being said, if the Cubs don't have Ian in their plans, I feel… (more)
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 11, 2013
Reynolds: "… it is in the best interests of both parties for the Cubs to release him and end this relationship."
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 11, 2013
And from Theo Epstein, with the hammer:
Stewart to be suspended. Theo cites loyalty clause. #Cubs
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) June 11, 2013
The Cubs have suspended Ian stewart without pay and are negotiating a release
— David Schuster (@Schumouse) June 11, 2013
Theo says they're going thru legal hoops re: how many days for Stewart suspension. #Cubs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) June 11, 2013
On a suspension without pay, if there’s cause (everyone contract has a provision that you won’t disparage the organization, so this probably qualifies), a negotiated release where Stewart doesn’t get his full $2 million salary is a real possibility. Under other circumstances – i.e., without an unpaid suspension – the Player’s Association would never let that happen.
So, it’s possible that this ended up working out well for the Cubs. We’ll see how it all shakes out.