kalinecountry said:

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

There is an ugly matter playing out with the Washington Nationals and one of their players, Stephen Strasburg, their World Series hero and MVP. Strasburg has been unable to pitch since June 2022 wi…

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DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

There is an ugly matter playing out with the Washington Nationals and one of their players, Stephen Strasburg, their World Series hero and MVP.
Strasburg has been unable to pitch since June 2022 with legitimate arm problems. Last year, they approached him about retirement, there was an agreement and a big farewell party planned.
Until the Nationals cancelled it all. They expected him to re-negotiate his guaranteed contract even though they pushed for his retirement in order to open up his roster spot. They still owe him 3 years of salary adding up to $105 mill.
Now there is a standoff between both sides with the Nats trying to strong-arm Strasburg by telling him to report to spring training. They are hoping to get him to concede part of his salary in a re-configuration of his contract.
In a somewhat similar vein, the Tigers still owe Javier Baez $98 mill for his guaranteed contract.
Baez has been significantly falling offensively every year since the Tigers acquired him. Last year, during a particularly bad stretch, he was benched.
The Tigers have spent 2 off-seasons working extensively with him to try to get him back on track. Baez has admitted that he has a hard time seeing fastballs.
So far this spring training, he’s had 2 hit in 12 games and 26 at-bats. He has struck out 50% of the time and is hitting .077. He is by far the worst hitter on the team.
His horrible performance is now getting the attention of the national baseball writers.
If his struggles continue at this significant rate, what should the Tigers do, esp. when they are in dire need of offense?
Should they simply cut him and pay out the rest of his full contract?
Or should they attempt to renegotiate his contract to reflect his inability to hit that would release him from the team and reduce the team’s obligations?
Is it fair for a player who can no longer perform to give back part of his salary even though it is a legal and guaranteed contract?
Should a team try to break a contract given the player’s inability to perform? Or is there a risk that it will put a black mark on the Tigers’ Front Office and create friction between the current roster of players as well as potential new ones the Tigers may want to sign?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
What should the Tigers do about Javier Baez’s contract if he can no longer perform at the plate?

What should the Tigers do about Javy Baez's contract if he can no longer perform at the plate?

1. Cut him and pay him the full amount of his contract.

2. Negotiate a retirement package that would restructure his contract.

VOTE

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