JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 6/1/20

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Ben Clemens

2:34

But I think that it did two things that are really important for advancing negotiations

Namely introducing a deferral option and committing to expanded playoffs

Those are two really big carrots

2:35

The way they put deferrals into the deal is not really enough to move the needle, but if they're willing to do that, they're probably willing to discuss other ways to handle it

Pumpsie Green

2:35

I disagree about your point on the owners. If the NBA and NHL are playing, the owners will take a public hit for not allowing baseball. To say nothing of their prized franchise value when people get used to life without baseball.

Ben Clemens

2:35

Eh, I don't disagree with that. I'm just saying that the owners *can* behave in a way that makes it impossible for there to be a season

2:36

They can just demand the pay cuts they've asked for and not give an inch, and then there won't be a season no matter what

There's no way the union could agree to that even if a lot of players wanted to

A year before CBA negotiations, cut everyone's pay 75% lol

Good luck guys

But the players can't behave in a way that makes it impossible for owners to have a season

2:37

The owners *could* snap off the players' proposal today and their franchise values would be largely unaffected.

So the owners have the power to prevent baseball from happening this year. I agree with you that it would be an awful long-term decision for them

Gashouse Gorilla

2:37

If we actually get back to the baseball side of baseball, which younger players do you think might be elevated into starting (or heavy-side of platoons) and could excel in a shorter season?

Ben Clemens

2:37

I'm excited for a full season of Trent Grisham

2:38

I'd like to see Dylan Carlson unleashed, though I kind of don't think it's happening now

The Cardinals are just not gonna give up that sweet sweet service time (pro-rated)

Guest

2:39

Is it likely that the pandemic, and resulting loss of revenue (be it a total season loss or partial season) means teams will be more likely to play prospects in 2021, further pushing the middle-ground of players out of opportunities?

Ben Clemens

2:39

Probably, and there's a second effect too

The way the service time deal was negotiated, your time gets pro-rated up to a full season

So if the season is 50% as long, and a player plays for 50 days

he gets credit for 100 days of service time

2:40

Teams are no WAY going to burn service time at a double rate unless they really need to

Guest

2:40

In order for there to be negotiations the other side had to make a proposal. Hopefully now they can work off of that and meet somewhere in the middle.

Ben Clemens

2:40

Yes, I'm a qualified yes to this.

The owners probably need to show that they're willing to be flexible, because their first proposal can hardly be called a negotiation

they just said 'what if we didn't pay you'

2:41

If they come back with a changed position

Then I'll become far more upbeat about there being a season

I think that there's a resolution say, 80% of the way to the players' side between the players and owners proposals

Joe