I trust no player that won't waive their NTC to play for a playoff team

[ForumPolice]

Yeah, yeah, they love their community blah, blah, blah. MLB players usually retire by the time they're 40 so they've got their entire lives to be in the community of their preference. They've got limited years to play baseball and if they're not playing for a championship I don't want them on the team anyway. Not saying that players should waive their NTC to just go to another middling team but if they've got the opportunity to go to it a city that's playing for the playoffs and a championship they should take it if they're playing to win.

And in many or most cases they're an impediment to the city and team they say they want to be a part of.

Yep, some players are just happy punching the time clock.

I think this team is full of them

[ScotchMIrish]

We knew he had a no trade clause when we signed him. It was part of DeWitt's desire to be an annual playoff team. Now we are stuck with those contracts. I don't blame the players.

[Stlcardsblues]

Yeah, yeah, they love their community blah, blah, blah. MLB players usually retire by the time they're 40 so they've got their entire lives to be in the community of their preference. They've got limited years to play baseball and if they're not playing for a championship I don't want them on the team anyway. Not saying that players should waive their NTC to just go to another middling team but if they've got the opportunity to go to it a city that's playing for the playoffs and a championship they should take it if they're playing to win.

And in many or most cases they're an impediment to the city and team they say they want to be a part of.

I tend to side with the players decision. We never know the full reason. There could be family issues driving the decision to not waive. For some family is a massive deciding factor. They earned the right for a reason. They have no control most of their career, they deserve the control when they earn it.

If they have a sick family member or young kids, that can’t be made up ten years later when they retire.

Excellent point ! Family can be a major factor. Sonny Gray has two school age children (10 & 6 I think ) ( Most players have either no kids, babies, or preschoolers as they are in their 20's .. Though the Gray family has a place in St. Louis where the kids can be with Sonny and his wife in season , playing for the Cardinals also gives his wife/kids/ Sonny some opportunities to return to their main home in Nashville , Tn. where they reside all off season and also where both Sonny and her relatives live. Being just 5 or 6 hours from their family/friends in Smyrna , Tn probably is wonderful for them . Can attend family functions , birthdays, etc. a lot of that would be missed if he played for a West Coast or East Coast team , for example.
Maybe it means a ton to his wife to be close to her family members/ HS friends she grew up with etc. I don't know but if it is , I won't blame them for wanting to be n close proximity to their roots.

https://www.mlb.com/news/sonny-gray-hon ... s-two-sons

When I started in my industry I was working 10-12 hour days (was single). Had a colleague with a 16-year old. She told me never allow work to take away time with your family. You cannot get those years back when retired.

I have turned down overtime and career advancement (management positions) to avoid it impacting time with my kids who are now 16. Would rather have that time for volunteering in coaching and my daughter’s music projects.

[AnExParrot]

I understand the sentiment, but it's grossly underestimating everything that goes into unrooting one's life to move to another team/city. Could be any number of perfectly valid reasons to want to stay put (or veto certain places). People want these players to be robots, but they are just human beings. Not everyone is going to be a Jordan or Kobe who wants to win at all costs, and that's ok.

Especially someone like Arenado who has a family now. Your wife has her community and friends. Your kids have their school and friends. The player has his relationships. Maybe he's close to where his extended family is. Maybe just finished remodeling their dream house. Established a charitable foundation/relationship. Any number of things that makes moving a giant decision.

Life extends beyond baseball for these players. Especially once they've signed for their big money contract. How many times have you moved your family across the country for work?

Changing jobs and moving also happen to be two of the biggest life stressors that don't involve death.

[AnExParrot]

Bottom line is that they earned their NTC and nobody forced management to give them one. And no one should be upset, suspicious or whatever if someone chooses to use their contractual rights.

How such a terrible pitcher like Mikolas was able to get a NTC makes Moe look even worse

I asked Mo about that. He told me there's no possible way you're getting someone of his caliber for $18m per year without sweetening the pot. As we well know every team in the league was clamoring for his services....

Miles has been on the Cardinals since 2018, he could veto any trade without a NTC.
Nolan has been in MLB since 2013 he could also veto any trade without a NTC.
pretty much a nothing burger.

10 years in the league AND 5 with the same team, Arenado, who's been with the Cardinals 4+ seasons, won't reach the 5 portion of that equation until this season ends.