NEWSLETTER
I got to take the little ladies to a Daddy-Daughter Dance last night, and it was a lovely time. It was the first time we were able to go in three years, which hit me hard when I was actually in the room there with them: I really miss doing “stuff.” It’s nice to have that back.
• Representatives for the players and the owners are meeting today to go over an official written response/proposal from the players today, the first such exchange since Tuesday. I do not expect this session to be of the breathlessly-tweeting-about-people-walking-back-and-forth-in-a-parking-lot variety, and instead is probably going to be the players submitting and explaining the proposal, and then maybe a little bit of discussion, and then separating to consider. Maybe they’ll reconvene tomorrow for an intense back-and-forth? But, what I mean is, I’m not necessarily expecting any kind of major back-and-forth negotiating today.
• I am, however, hopeful we’ll get the details of the players’ proposal, which reportedly could include a 14-team playoff proposal that looks roughly like this: the top team in each league gets a bye, and the next three teams get to host the last three teams for a three-game “Wild Card” series. The caveat is that a division winner would start their series up 1-0. In effect, then, if they win one game, they move on. The other team has to win two games in a row to move on (it is similar to the playoff system used in the KBO). We can discuss the volume of games (and teams) that are appropriate, but *IF* the players were going to agree to 14 teams, then I hope they stand firm on SOME KIND of setup like this that STRONGLY INCENTIVIZES winning your division. (Just don’t use the words “ghost win” because it freaks people out.) Today is still a very, very big day.
• The owners are reportedly not into this kind of setup, I’m guessing for legit reasons (fewer games for TV purposes) and less legit reasons (some might want to be able to get into the playoffs on even footing with other teams even without spending more). I also wonder if owners would really value 14 (over 12) enough to come way up on the luxury tax, which would be the entire point of the players offering 14 in the first place. Basically: I’m dubious this approach actually gets much traction today or any other day.
• Consider that the owners are going to argue that the games can’t be rescheduled and the players shouldn’t get paid … so how exactly are the smaller market owners losing money:
There is an expectation among agents that following the owners' lockout, there will be teams that downsize their budgets (like the Marlins) to account for the losses — and it'll be the veteran FAs, the rank-and-file players, who absorb most of the impact of that.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 6, 2022
• This is a bit of having your cake and eating it, too, right? Either there are “losses” because you’re not playing games but keeping the same expenses, or you aren’t paying out your most significant expense and there really aren’t much in the way of “losses.” It feels like an excuse for some teams not to spend. But what else is new?
• Some appropriately-timed history:
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟔, 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟕
Free agent Andre Dawson signs a "blank check" to play for the Chicago Cubs. He would go on to take MVP honors in 1987 for hitting 49 home runs & driving in 137 runs.
pic.twitter.com/HGHyNPaWzN— This Day in Chicago Sports (@ChiSportsDay) March 6, 2022
• Although Dawson signing the blank contract with the Cubs became something of affectionate lore, it happened because of the rampant owner collusion in the mid-80s to massively hold down player salaries. In a consolidation and resolution of multiple grievances by the players, the owners agreed to pay $280 million to the players (which would be over $700 million in today’s dollars, but that’s just inflation – not accounting for changes in salary structure over various CBAs). Outside of that ugliness, it is of course awesome that Dawson ultimately wound up with the Cubs, of course. We love The Hawk.
• I just enjoy watching this guy:
Ben Joyce, 101 mph at the knees. pic.twitter.com/2gm2qGSJB2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 6, 2022
• (If you missed the earlier discussion of Tennessee reliever Ben Joyce, who has touched 103.5 mph.)
• As Illinois sports betting makes a return to full mobile online registration, the best apps in Illinois will be offering $1000s in bonuses with promos.
• Congrats to the Bryant family, which is growing by two:
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• Now Kris just needs to find himself a job, AMIRITE?
