2013 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[pilferk]

Not sure I would agree with counting A-Rod's or any suspended player's salary against the cap.  True, the Yankees are benefitting in this case, but that's only because A-Rod is not that good any more.  If this happened in 2009, they don't win a World Series and the luxury tax relief would just be cold comfort. 

Then again, if teams had the threat of a cap hit, maybe teams would be more diligent about screening for users. 

Teams don't screen, actually. It would be against the CBa and jda. MLB, as a league, controls the testing process.

In other words, the yanks can't take it upon themselves to order a random test. They have to wait, and rely on mlbs testing schedule.

[pilferk]

Reports coming in that say arod going to fight to the end, and no suspensions coming til Monday.

[Falcon]

I just got caught up with this story and I agree, it's a opinion that I believe a majority of ownerships would share.

I would not be shocked to have a ruling (at some point) having salaries of those busted still count against monies that would qualify as "taxed".

I would expect something, maybe not the exact scenario above to be implemented that doesn't "reward" a club with tax relief due to salary subtraction via suspension.

I very much doubt it.

I think it's a distinct possibility in some form or fashion.

Players are employees of the club and in many cases, employers are penalized for actions of their employees.

Most clubs (around 27) will never sniff the luxury tax barrier so the possibility of taxation isn't even a worry, I could absolutely see a scenario where a majority of ownerships would have no problem with it.

[Falcon]

6 PM Sunday deadline to accept suspension settlements per Ken Davidoff of the NY Post (an actual NY Post writer worth a damn)

Shit hits the fan officially Monday, I'm sure the leaks will be fast and furious this weekend.

[pilferk]

I just got caught up with this story and I agree, it's a opinion that I believe a majority of ownerships would share.

I would not be shocked to have a ruling (at some point) having salaries of those busted still count against monies that would qualify as "taxed".

I would expect something, maybe not the exact scenario above to be implemented that doesn't "reward" a club with tax relief due to salary subtraction via suspension.

I very much doubt it.

I think it's a distinct possibility in some form or fashion.

Players are employees of the club and in many cases, employers are penalized for actions of their employees.

Most clubs (around 27) will never sniff the luxury tax barrier so the possibility of taxation isn't even a worry, I could absolutely see a scenario where a majority of ownerships would have no problem with it.

No other league has done anything like it it any other sports. Even those with hard caps. In fact, they have done just the opposite (cap forgiveness).

"In many cases" outside of baseball...and sports in general.

Selig commented that they are not even considering it.

Again, I very much doubt it.

[tim_m]

6 PM Sunday deadline to accept suspension settlements per Ken Davidoff of the NY Post (an actual NY Post writer worth a damn)

Shit hits the fan officially Monday, I'm sure the leaks will be fast and furious this weekend.

I think most will accept and just miss the remainder of the season and start fresh next season. A-Rod is gonna have the book thrown at him Monday.

[Falcon]

Did anyone catch ARod's comments after his rehab game in Trenton last night?

Strange, I semi admire his candor but good God - a good dose of shut the fuck up might be a better direction to take at this point.

[Falcon]

Lots of outlets reporting MLB is done negotiating with ARod and the suspension that will be appealed will be for at least the rest of this year and all of 2014.

 

[tim_m]

Lots of outlets reporting MLB is done negotiating with ARod and the suspension that will be appealed will be for at least the rest of this year and all of 2014.

 

Yep, saw that on bleacher report. They are gonna lower the boom on him apparently Monday along with the rest of the players involved in this.

[Falcon]

I wouldn't be shocked to see ARod take a last minute deal whatever that may be, either way it's time to put this story to bed.

[tim_m]

I wouldn't be shocked to see ARod take a last minute deal whatever that may be, either way it's time to put this story to bed.

I disagree, i see him going down fighting. Regardless it all appears to be coming to a head Monday morning.

[Falcon]

I wouldn't be shocked to see ARod take a last minute deal whatever that may be, either way it's time to put this story to bed.

I disagree, i see him going down fighting. Regardless it all appears to be coming to a head Monday morning.

If he does, he's taking a butter knife to a public execution.

Monday will be an interesting for sure.

[tim_m]

I wouldn't be shocked to see ARod take a last minute deal whatever that may be, either way it's time to put this story to bed.

I disagree, i see him going down fighting. Regardless it all appears to be coming to a head Monday morning.

If he does, he's taking a butter knife to a public execution.

Monday will be an interesting for sure.

Indeed but his recent comments are very telling.

[tim_m]

It appears A-Rod will get to play tomorrow night even though he's gonna be suspended tomorrow. Selig isn't gonna use his special powers under the CBA to keep him off the field until his appeal is heard. That's probably the smart safe plan. He'd open himself up to way too much if he used his special bowers. It appears the suspensions will be announced around 12-1pm eastern. I'm also hearing there are 3 players whose names we have not heard at all yet that are going to be suspended.

[GeorgeSteele]

Not sure I would agree with counting A-Rod's or any suspended player's salary against the cap.  True, the Yankees are benefitting in this case, but that's only because A-Rod is not that good any more.  If this happened in 2009, they don't win a World Series and the luxury tax relief would just be cold comfort. 

Then again, if teams had the threat of a cap hit, maybe teams would be more diligent about screening for users. 

Teams don't screen, actually. It would be against the CBa and jda. MLB, as a league, controls the testing process.

In other words, the yanks can't take it upon themselves to order a random test. They have to wait, and rely on mlbs testing schedule.

Right, I just meant screening in the sense of internal team investigatory stuff before signing or trading for a player, as in, don't sign Melky Cabrera for anything more than the league minimum.  Another example is Marlon Byrd; he's having a very good year, but the Mets couldn't even get an offer for him at the trading deadline... I understand that's partly because he's Marlon Byrd, but it's probably also because when a mediocre journeyman with a past PED suspension is suddenly tearing it up, teams suspect PEDs and so stay away from him.  I think you would see more of that if you had the luxury tax punishment, though I agree it's doubtful to happen.

[GeorgeSteele]

It appears A-Rod will get to play tomorrow night even though he's gonna be suspended tomorrow. Selig isn't gonna use his special powers under the CBA to keep him off the field until his appeal is heard. That's probably the smart safe plan. He'd open himself up to way too much if he used his special bowers. It appears the suspensions will be announced around 12-1pm eastern. I'm also hearing there are 3 players whose names we have not heard at all yet that are going to be suspended.

If that's true (and the original rumors that MLB planned on using the CBA to keep him off the field during appeal were true), then that's a huge win for A-Rod and a major blink by MLB. 

[pilferk]

This is too funny....and not entirely wrong:

http://www.pinstripedbible.com/2013/8/5/4588496/biogenesis-peds-steroids-suspension-alex-rodriguez-bud-selig-curt-schilling-parody

[pilferk]

If he does, he's taking a butter knife to a public execution.

Monday will be an interesting for sure.

Here's what's interesting, though.

IF Selig used the 'best interest of baseball" clause...you could pretty much name the terms of the suspension BUT, MLB would likely have to fight the suspension through the courts, with the full might of the MLBPA behind Arod.

IF Selig used the JDA...well, the terms of the JDA are quite clear that a first violation is grounds for a 50 game suspension...and that's it.  Which means, while Arod does not have the full might of the MLBPA behind him, he now has very specific language in the JDA he can point to and say: Anything more than 50 games violates the JDA.

If MLB points to his "interference", he can then point to a couple of different examples (like Melky's fake web site) where MLB has still stuck with the 50 game tenet.

Arod certainly does not have an elephant gun strapped to his back...but he might have a little bit more than a butter knife.  I'd say if the rumors are true (212 games, JDA, play while appealing) that there's about a 65% chance Arod serves that full suspension....better than even odds, but not MUCH better.

There's also a rumor coming out of NY that Arod approached the Yanks Saturday morning about them just buying out his remaining deal.

[pilferk]

If that's true (and the original rumors that MLB planned on using the CBA to keep him off the field during appeal were true), then that's a huge win for A-Rod and a major blink by MLB. 

It depends.

I thought the reports of a lifetime ban, with no real chance to appeal to anyone but Selig, and no ability to play during any sort of appeal, sounded sort of risky.  You have to wonder if that was an MLB PR move to try to "convince" Arod to negotiate something less..and something they really had no intention of actually doing.  Or if there was just no real truth to it (as in, they considered it and quickly moved on to something else) at all.

If the rumors WERE true, and MLB backed down, you have to wonder why....unless it's just all about keeping the union as far out of the process as they can.  That very well may be it: The union has privately voiced that if they stick to the JDA, and that process, that they'll keep their noses out...but if they try to use the "detriment of the game" power, the union is going to be forced to get more involved.

[pilferk]

I wouldn't be shocked to see ARod take a last minute deal whatever that may be, either way it's time to put this story to bed.

I disagree, i see him going down fighting. Regardless it all appears to be coming to a head Monday morning.

If he does, he's taking a butter knife to a public execution.

Monday will be an interesting for sure.

Indeed but his recent comments are very telling.

You have to wonder if he actually has anything "on" MLB and/or the Yanks in terms of colluding to keep him off the field.  Or if it's all just rumor, speculation, and innuendo.

IF he does, you can bet his arbitration hearing will be the place he airs at least some of it.  And if then, potentially, in the courts if he sues for the remaining value of his contract (based on torturous breech).