Grievance filed over collapse of Torrealba's talks with Mets

5/16/2008 5:51 PM

NEW YORK (AP) - The players' union has filed a grievance over the collapse of catcher Yorvit Torrealba's talks with the New York Mets last fall.

Torrealba and the Mets reached a preliminary agreement on a $14.4 million, three-year contract last November, a deal that was subject to a physical and never was publicly confirmed by the team.

New York said several days later it had ended negotiations with Torrealba, leading to speculation that a medical exam left the Mets with concerns about his throwing shoulder. Torrealba, who helped Colorado reach the World Series last year, missed nearly three months in 2006 with a strained right shoulder.

Torrealba then re-signed with the Rockies, agreeing to a $7.25 million, two-year contract, a deal that includes a $4 million mutual option for 2010 with a $500,000 buyout.

The grievance, filed April 4, was first reported Friday by the Denver Post. Grievances of this type usually take several years to either proceed to a hearing or get settled for a percentage of the amount in dispute.