Alfredo Simon Wanted for Murder

Well, this is just sad.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon is the main suspect in the New Year's Eve killing of a man in the Dominican Republic, police said Sunday.

The pitcher shot and killed 25-year-old Michel Castillo Almonte and wounded his 17-year-old brother during a New Year's Eve celebration in the northeast coastal town of Luperon, police said in a statement. No motive was disclosed. Simon is from the Dominican Republic, and police said he fled after the violence.

As I understand it, Simon is negotiating his surrender to authorities at some point over the next few hours.  Once he does, he'll be brought to justice.  If convicted, he could receive up to 30 years in jail.

Last season, Simon, 29, went 4-2 with a 4.93 ERA and 17 saves in 21 chances.  Despite the fact that he seemed to stabilize Baltimore's closer situation, that really wasn't the case.  Simon pitched below the replacement level in 2010, and gave up more than his share of gopher balls to go along with a mediocre 37/22 K/BB ratio in 49.1 innings.  Simon was expected to be a key member of the Orioles bullpen in 2011.