The Cubs will have to pay all $6.5 million that Marlon Byrd is owed this season even though he was recently suspended 50 games for PEDs.
What’s more, neither the Cubs nor the Boston Red Sox — who released Byrd this month after he went 30-for-143 (.210) for both teams combined — recoup any of the $6.5 million he’s being paid this year, despite what by rule is an unpaid 50-game suspension.
The Cubs wind up the biggest losers in that equation because as part of the April trade for Michael Bowden, they sent cash to Boston equaling all of Byrd’s remaining salary, minus the prorated major-league minimum.
According to multiple sources, the fact that Byrd had been released by the time his suspension took effect meant the balance on his contract turned into termination pay, creating a ‘‘closed door’’ on his 2012 salary because the contract is already considered paid off.
Booooooooo.