Former All-Star Loaiza faces 10 years to life after guilty plea to drug charges
Two-time All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza is facing considerable prison time after pleading guilty to federal drug charges in California on Friday.
The 46-year-old is facing a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life after he was arrested in February and acknowledged that he was in possession of 44 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute, according to the Associated Press. Loaiza was under surveillance when he was arrested.
Loaiza pitched 14 seasons in the majors. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished second in Cy Young voting in 2003 and was an All-Star in both 2002 and 2003. He made more than $43 million during his career before retiring in 2008.
He will be sentenced Nov. 2.