Riverbrian

Who knows but these players know it's a business. One trip through the arbitration process will show them that. If they don't learn it that way, his professional representation will teach him. His business is Byron Buxton. He will look out for his best interests and if the the Twins offer him an extension that is better than what he believes he will make in free agency... he'll sign it. If they don't... he will become a free agent. Turning down a better offer out of spite is bad business. Excepting a lesser offer out of loyalty is also bad business.

I don’t believe Bryant will win. Game over.

That’s what I like about you Don. You are likely the only one interested in my opinion. That’s what my wife tells me anyway. As a fan I want my star players in my uniform for as long as possible so I’ll take the extra year. That is where things are on an even playing field. Extra years are not only longer time to benefit from talent but they are also increased trade value during their service time because of the extra year of control. Once they hit free agency we are immediately at a competitive disadvantage so the longer that can be delayed is better for me. In a nutshell... as long as teams control rights to players... I’d just as soon control them as long as possible even though I am against teams controlling rights period. I’m complicated ain’t I.

If that’s the case. I don’t advocate immediate implementation. However, I do advocate priority attention to the improvement of a system for implication as soon as possible. LOL... I’m sick of pitch framing stats.

Agreed but it happens and automation takes that away. The players will learn to hit that curveball in the dirt before it hits the dirt once it starts getting called.

I'm currently indifferent to service time manipulation. I don't have to have an opinion on it. It's there and all teams use it to their advantage... I don't want my team "not taking" advantage of that advantage while all the other teams are... because that would end up being a disadvantage to my team and therefore me. Keep in mind, I hold no illusions that players will give a preferred team discount when they hit free agency because we were nice (or fair) to the player. It's a business and they have had no right until they hit free agency. If you want to know my true deep down feelings... it will throw you for a loop. It's so radical that the when I post it, the tomatoes will be thrown my direction. But here goes anyway. I would abolish the Rule 4 draft. Let the players sign with teams of their choosing at age 18, just like you and I do with our employment and let the market sort itself out. A young player can decide if he wants to sign with the Yankees or Marlins or attend LSU. The Orioles might need a SS, however a young SS that is third on the depth chart in Houston can't apply for that job because the Astros own his rights. This will create that environment that you seek... the best players playing without future considerations complicating a fairly simple decision. Those future complications are only in place because of the CBA. Which is an agreed upon document between two entities trying to get the larger slice of the pie. The 18 year old baseball player has no representation. I'm not as pro-owner as I seem in my previous post... I consider myself more pro-player despite my previous post. I think that teams controlling the fates of players past their prime is that real crime and this is the case for the majority of the players. Service time manipulation? I don't care...it was collectively bargained and it only involves a small percentage of the work force. If a player is good enough to have his service time manipulated, he is already young and most likely able to hit free agency before 30 even with the extra year. I don't care because this small minority will be fine. In the case of Buxton. You call him Elite (Defensively)... I agree that he is elite defensively but his total game has not been and 3 years have burned waiting for Elite. I want the Extra Year because he will become Elite and we will have no time to enjoy it. The extra year is for me so I can enjoy it. In the case of Bryant... of course it was manipulation, I don't care about spin... people spin all the time... but you place too much faith in the "Good Faith" wording in the CBA. A good lawyer can argue that his plane was delayed for 17 days to get out of that one. I'm standing here saying that I believe the Rule 4 draft should be abolished out of fairness to the players but since it won't be... the CBA sets the rules and guidelines to be followed and it has been agreed upon. If I was a GM or Owner, I'm using those rules and guidelines and getting the most out of them. Meaning my top prospect will hang tight for 17 days to gain the extra year because a full year in their prime is lopsidedly better than 17 days of rookie ball. The owners interest at this point aligns closer to mine... So here I am.

Wisconsin will never go for that!

If the ball enters the zone. The ball can be hit. The Backdoor slider that never reaches the backdoor yet called a strike is impossible to hit.

If you drain the farm you'll have to go to the market for your ingredients. You'll have no choice. The Brewers are now critically low on Barley and Hops but they had a couple of impressive keg parties.

As always... you have talent Spycake. My research consisted of one article that I googled using "Evan Longoria Service time Manipulation" between bites during my lunch hour. It still stands that we are 11 years between Longoria and Vlad Jr.

Lot to cover here. Right off the bat... I'm a fan and I represent myself. I don't have representation at the CBA negotiation table. I'm the one drifting in the wind here. My happiness is in the hands of other people, I don't get a vote or representation at that table. I'm not going to lose sleep over a year of service time and I'm especially not going to lose sleep when I know that the agreement was negotiated by two power brokers, skilled at such things, while looking across the table at each other and not at gun point. Especially, Especially when I know that both sides are looking out for their interests... and not mine. Neither the owners or the players care if the price of a ticket goes up. They are negotiating to get the most money in their pockets, why am I taking sides? I'm not because NEITHER resemble Mother Theresa. The player can hit .189 and still collect the 30 million. The Owners can keep players under control until they are past their prime. These things were negotiated. I didn't get a vote. Both sides understand it is strictly business by now... the innocence is gone. If the business side of things hasn't hit them in the eyes in year one... it will certainly cold cock them once they sit down with the Arbitrator as the team tears them apart to save a couple of million bucks. So what's my interest? I want the players who suck... gone and I want the players with skill playing for my team as long as possible. According to the CBA, to which I have no representation, I have to tolerate all bad contracts, but my good contracts have a shelf life. I have to put up with players getting paid and throwing 85MPH and I have to put up with players struggling for 3 years of precious service time so he can get good right before he says goodbye. My interest is very uncomplicated. I want the players I want, playing for my team as long as possible. That is what is best for me.I am simply not concerned if Acuna makes 600K or 27 Million or if he reaches free agency at 26 or 27 or 32. I will trade 17 days of rookie ball in April for a full season in a players prime every single time. You can't compare 17 days in April to a full year in a players prime without recognizing how lopsided of a no-brainer decision it is. I am not bound by slight of hand or public relations. I don't have to say that the reason is defensive work, the player isn't ready or he needs rest for better health with a straight face. I can scream from the mountain tops without reservation or apology. "I WANT THE EXTRA YEAR" for my benefit and I deserve it. And the negotiated CBA states that I can have it. Did the players union negotiate a bad deal? Yes... they failed to see the future but at the time, they got what they wanted. They didn't see the Ivy league front offices doing cost per analysis down the road. It changed everything and the next CBA is going to be a nightmare when the players union tries to get things back in their favor. And once again... I won't have representation at the next CBA negotiation table either. Meaning... when they go into a lock out or strike... I'll have to sit there and take it.

You can't state that my wanting "an extra year of control" is not "relevant" and then state that holding players back is "not one that is good for the FANS or the players". However, if you wish to limit the conversation to your defined narrow scope of considerations. OK... I'm game... Let's start with the "Slippery Slope" that you mention. John Danks, Phil Hughes, Evan Longoria, Jordan Zimmerman are possible examples of "Service Time Manipulation" from 2007, 2008 and 2009. If you consider that it has been 12 years time from 2007 to 2019 and the players union just got around to using Kris Bryant as a "Test Case". Can you better define how slippery or slopee the slope actually is? If you want to cling your hopes on the vague usage of "Good Faith" in the CBA language. Go ahead but it's kind of like using a dog leash to stop a tanker at sea.

My guess is (providing he stays sharp). He won’t finish the year in SF if he takes the QO.

I feel for ya then... that's a self imposed bowling ball you have to hold.

J.D. Martinez does not opt out of his contract with the Red Sox. Owner John Henry has publicly expressed a desire to get under the competitive balance tax threshold. These two things are at odds with each other and should make Boston the team to watch this off-season. I think Betts will be dealt.

It's the first chance in their career to have control over that career. They had no choice until now. They had to go to the team that drafted them. They were promoted at the clubs discretion, the CBA set their salary followed by the the Arbitrators. This is their first chance at actual leverage. If it was me... there is no way I'm giving that up... it took a long time to get it. This includes choosing to go back to the same organization.

I agree. I’m sure all teams have budget guidelines to work with but I’d hate to think a contending team is executing a hard line in terms of payroll to the degree that 4 million would matter. I agree spending 70 million will be hard but trade for Mookie and you are half way there. Who knows.

The Braves did the exact same thing with Markakis. Both players get the same amount of money, each with the buy out of 2M and each with one year deals of 4M for a total of 6M. Picking up the options on each would have cost 6M a piece. So... I'm thinking... OK, by doing it this way, even though the players get the exact same money, they shave 4 million total of the payroll number. This makes sense, everyone should be happy. But, then I think some more... What does it matter if the payroll is 168 Million or 164 million? It occurs to me, that the only way the 4 million matters is if they get near the competitive balance threshold of 208 Million. If you are dancing near that line... the 4 million matters. These low level moves by the Braves to me... Is an announcement that the Braves plan on adding significant payroll this year. Around 70 Million potentially if my math is right. I think we can safely add the Braves to the Cole, Rendon and Strauburg discussion. Might be the strongest candidate to trade for Mookie Betts as well.

Yeah... You can't alter the future!!!

The Red Sox have basically said that they are going to reduce payroll to get below the luxury tax and this isn't going to be easy for them to accomplish. Rumors already being floated that they have Mookie Betts on the trade block. This should lower the odds of Red Sox and Strasburg significantly.

It's a business and these are big boys. The Twins will be alright and Byron Buxton will be alright. From my perspective. I wanted the extra year and I got it. That's all I need. I don't need to pile on the organization or Byron any further. If he becomes what he could become... that extra year will be nice. If he doesn't come around the extra year will not matter. I believe it will eventually matter. He didn't snap... He answered a question. I have no problem with players expressing themselves. He competed for the Twins this year. He isn't talking about it. It's OK to give him a pass.

It has been the only thing I’ve stated consistently. I want the extra year. I’m a fan and I’m looking out for MY best interest. I’m not running a charity here.

(True Story) Back in May of 2016... Brian Dozier was looking absolutely horrible (along with the entire team) but Dozier was capable of so much more. His extended slump had brought his batting average below .200 and I couldn't tolerate it anymore so the only thing I posted on Twinsdaily was something like: "BRIAN DOZIER -- FIX HIM!!!" The next day, Terry Ryan talks to the press and he is quoted saying... "We've got to FIX him". Dozier was benched the next day... for like a day and then he went on a home run tear... Hit like 80 home runs from June to September. Your Welcome everyone. I did that. (True Story)

I believe in Buxton and I wanted the extra year of service time because I believe in Buxton. I’m not paying attention to any other reasons being floated. None of it matters in a lost season. The extra year gained is huge to anyone who believes in Buxton and are waiting for that big Buxton year. Bryant can file all the grievances he wants. He won’t win... the agreement was bargained collectively. We got an extra year of Buxton. I’m hoping to enjoy it.

Bloom was the only person interviewed. That says something. Falvey may have turned down an interview. Hazen may have inked a new deal but there are other candidates. One interview and position filled lends credence to the theory that Falvey declined a long shot.