Collusion

[Momo]

Whether you think it's the MLBPA's fault for not negotiating properly, the fact remains that teams like the A's are spending less on their payroll than they're receiving solely in terms of kickbacks from the league. Even if the players left the door open, no-one's forcing the owners to "collude". Okay, I'm not wildly excited about the Cardinals lineup, but can you imagine being an A's fan and not even having to wonder at the contempt you're held in by the team's owners?

Yes, they shouldn't get revenue sharing anymore. Yes, honestly no team should really be crying poverty. Yes, there are teams who seem to be just pocketing everything they can.

The fact remains though that the A's are fielding a mildly competitive team this year (while also having one of the best farm systems in baseball). Again, it's at least partially the players' faults that they made it so that owners can do so on a shoestring budget. Probably the only place they needed to seriously consider a replacement was at C because their current one has a pending assault case against him. The A's pathetic payroll (largely so pathetic because of how many prospects and young players they're going to field) is projected to be equivalent to that of the Rangers, Rockies and Brewers, with the first two teams spending nearly double on payroll. There's also nothing that says the revenue sharing has to be spent on the major league payroll.

That is absolutely ludicrous that a team can be projected to be within 4 games of .500 ball (i.e. tied for around 16th in record) while having the 29th lowest payroll.

That speaks to a systemic problem with how young players are paid. The teams get to extract the most value out of them when they're (theoretically) at the peak of their winning curve for nothing. Like literally peanuts in the scheme of expenditures.

[MrCrowesGarden]

That's kind of rich by the MLBPA.

At least a reason they're not signing any FAs is that doing so can result in them losing a draft pick and international bonus pool money.

Maybe if the MLBPA wanted more teams spending on them, they shouldn't have priced themselves out of the market by allowing/making amateurs be so underpaid.

Make amateurs and international stars paid better/more expensive, and demand a salary floor. Whee, problems largely solved.

But nope, can't do that. Gotta have their cake and eat it too.

This is the dumbest phrase.

A quick way to know if someone’s thoughts are worth hearing are if they’re so dense that they claim the phrase “can’t have your cake and eat it too” is dumb or illogical.

I have a test too

[Momo]

That's kind of rich by the MLBPA.

At least a reason they're not signing any FAs is that doing so can result in them losing a draft pick and international bonus pool money.

Maybe if the MLBPA wanted more teams spending on them, they shouldn't have priced themselves out of the market by allowing/making amateurs be so underpaid.

Make amateurs and international stars paid better/more expensive, and demand a salary floor. Whee, problems largely solved.

But nope, can't do that. Gotta have their cake and eat it too.

This is the dumbest phrase.

A quick way to know if someone’s thoughts are worth hearing are if they’re so dense that they claim the phrase “can’t have your cake and eat it too” is dumb or illogical.

I have a test too

I’m sure it’s not worth much since apparently you’re too thick to understand a basic proverb.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I understand it just fine.

It doesn’t change the fact that it’s dumb.

You didn’t pass the test

[Jocephus]

fwiw...and if you can stomach fangraphs tryannical pro owner agenda!!!@#$@!#$

What the MLBPA’s Grievance Means

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/what-th ... nce-means/

Now the MLBPA’s grievance will go before an arbitration panel, not a court. The rules of private arbitrations like this are generally set by the parties themselves. That can lead to some interesting quirks, like the fact that the commissioner himself serves as arbitrator in certain proceedings that are appeals from his own decisions (the interest-of-the-game clause and the like). In this case, the grievance hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure laid out in Appendix B of the CBA.

As the party filing the grievance, it’s the MLBPA’s burden to prove to the satisfaction of the arbitration panel that these four teams violated the CBA. Miami, Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay are all revenue-sharing recipients, and each has cut payroll significantly this offseason: the Pirates and Rays by about $23 million each; the Athletics by about $32 million; and the Marlins by over $65 million.

[Momo]

I understand it just fine.

It doesn’t change the fact that it’s dumb.

You didn’t pass the test

It's not dumb, it's a perfectly coherent and understandable proverb that has been used and understood by people for like 500 years.

Saying the phrase is "dumb" is like painting a neon sign over oneself that says "I don't understand idiomatic language."

Congratulations on letting everyone know that.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I do understand it.

I'm saying it's a dumb phrase.

[Jocephus]

it's like having your hot pocket and not diarrhea too

[lukethedrifter]

it's like having your hot pocket and not diarrhea too

Now there’s a modern take on a ME classic. Huzzah to you.

[go birds]

i wonder if a hard salary cap (and floor) would motivate owners to extend their young talent at a younger age.

seems like more players would be willing to sign an extension before hitting FA, knowing that $400/mil simply will not exist for them.