Upon further review - they did pay him, it's just not listed anymore on the individual player salary page, just in the overall team total.
And, they released him because he sucked. Still, it was his first year in the league and seems to be a total boneheaded move. I mean, you gotta pay him - at least give him a second chance or try and trade him. Bullpen mopup guy - anything but just eat that contract!!!
Feh - well, he did have the worst ERA of any pitcher with over 100 IP aaaaaaaand the worst VORP of ANY pitcher. Sooo. . . I of course just offered him a minor league deal.