The Mets placed closer Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list and, not surprisingly, the union has objected. After all, players on the disqualified list don’t get paid or pick up service time. The Mets will argue that they shouldn’t have to pay K-Rod to recover from a non-baseball-related injury, but the MLBPA will work to uphold the deal. The end result? That’s anybody’s guess at this point, but let’s make some predictions:
How will the conflict between K-Rod and the Mets end?
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The MLBPA is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful union on the planet. The Mets have a long road to climb to win this… my guess is they wont.
So the Mets don’t like to go overslot so they can be in Selig’s good graces, which has no actual benefit, but they have no problem going to war with the player’s association? If that doesn’t tell you the Wilpons are all about the money I don’t know what does.
To be entirely fair, I’d say they’re entirely justified in this. The guy got injured punching his father in the face. Not only is he screwing the team on the field, he’s also giving them a massive PR hit.
Given, they’re not going to win, the union is way too powerful. That said, it’s the smart thing to do from a public relations stance. It at least indicates that they don’t find behavior like this to be acceptable.
“That said, it’s the smart thing to do from a public relations stance. It at least indicates that they don’t find behavior like this to be acceptable.”
Which is an amazing step forward for the Mets.
Not saying that it isn’t a good PR move. Just saying that it’s pretty obvious that money is the motivating factor here and if the Mets ever found themselves in a similar situation where there wasn’t any money at stake I’d bet my bottom dollar that they wouldn’t dare try to fight the union no matter how bad it made them look.
Of course they wouldn’t do this if money was at stake. No team would because it’s not worth the effort. They also went overslot to sign Harvey and Peavey.
I know the MLBPA is invincible, but I think there is a really good chance that this portion of the Mets actions will make it through a union challenge. K-Rod was injured while committing a crime, by his own admission. He is now unable to uphold his contractual obligation to pitch.
The part where I think the MLBPA will be successful is in blocking the Mets attempt to “non-guarantee” the rest of K-Rod’s contract.
I voted for both sides reaching a compromise. I hope they win this but I think the MLBPA will end up winning out entirely. Maybe I’m just conditioned to expect the worst being a Met fan.
The Astros disqualifying Shawn Chacon was recently upheld. How is what KRod did any better than what Chacon did? If anything what KRod did is worse because at least Chacon had the good sense to beat up Ed Wade who likely deserved it. Okay, maybe that wasn’t funny but still, the point being that Chacon didn’t beat up a non-employee in public view. KRod could very likely lose this one. The union is strong but they can’t defend everything successfully, perhaps especially something as foolish as this. We’ll have to wait and see.
Let’s look at the history…Two work stoppages (+, +), Steve Howe, six time loser(+,+,+,+,+,+), GM Ed Wade beaten by a Pitcher (-), Jeff Kent washing his truck (+), Carlos Beltran’s knee surgery (+), Curt Flood (-,+), Andy Messersmith (+), Dave McNally (+), 1985 Collusion (+), 1988 Collusion (+), 1989 Collusion (+), Salary Arbitration… Owners win 280, Players win 207(-= 73) (since 1974). Lot’s more plus’ for the Players, but considering arbitration in the equation, the Owners win more often. So the Union is not unbeatable, and KRod may be in trouble.
I was encouraged when “pageian” invoked the Shawn Chacón case, but this is a great illustration of how rulings have gone – and could possibly go for K-Rod. Way to do your homework dude!
My prediction…. an agreement where K Rod gives up the remainder of this seasons contract money, continues to receive service time, and next years contract remains guaranteed.
Yup. That would be my guess as well. :O)