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One dinner could cost two professional athletes millions of dollars.
Time for a thread
Time for a thread
1) During a recent road trip in Chicago, Cleveland Indians teammates Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac went out to dinner - breaking COVID-19 protocol.
What seemed like a trivial infraction has since dragged out, potentially damaging reputations and costing the players millions.
What seemed like a trivial infraction has since dragged out, potentially damaging reputations and costing the players millions.
2) On August 7th, Clevinger and Plesac left the team's Chicago hotel to get dinner with friends, an activity that was prohibited by team/league COVID-19 protocols.
The players returned to the hotel at separate times, with Plesac being caught entering the lobby.
The players returned to the hotel at separate times, with Plesac being caught entering the lobby.
3) Once Plesac was caught entering the hotel, a car service escorted him back to Cleveland.
Clevinger, on the other hand, wasn’t caught entering the team hotel.
Teammates believe he lied about his involvement the night prior and recklessly flew back on the team plane ( @espn).
Clevinger, on the other hand, wasn’t caught entering the team hotel.
Teammates believe he lied about his involvement the night prior and recklessly flew back on the team plane ( @espn).
4) With team chemistry deteriorating, manager Terry Francona asked Clevinger & Plesac to address the team before their game last Friday.
It’s unclear what was said but the meeting was "testy", with teammates scolding Clevinger and Plesac for their irresponsible actions ( @espn).
It’s unclear what was said but the meeting was "testy", with teammates scolding Clevinger and Plesac for their irresponsible actions ( @espn).
5) Specifically, veteran Oliver Perez voiced his displeasure.
Perez was furious that the players selfish actions put teammate Carlos Carrasco, who was treated for leukemia in 2019, at risk.
Perez threatened to opt-out of the season if the players were allowed to return ( @espn).
Perez was furious that the players selfish actions put teammate Carlos Carrasco, who was treated for leukemia in 2019, at risk.
Perez threatened to opt-out of the season if the players were allowed to return ( @espn).
6) The veteran won out and Clevinger/Plesac were demoted to the Indians alternate training site, otherwise known as the 2020 version of the minor leagues.
This is where the financials come into play.
This is where the financials come into play.
7) Clevinger & Plesac aren’t mediocre players.
Clevinger has quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last three years, producing a 2.96 ERA.
Plesac, just 25 years old, was off to a hot start this year posting a 1.29 ERA with a 24-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio ( @espn)
Clevinger has quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last three years, producing a 2.96 ERA.
Plesac, just 25 years old, was off to a hot start this year posting a 1.29 ERA with a 24-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio ( @espn)
8) Given baseball has the most complex compensation formula out of any of the major professional sports leagues, let’s keep it simple.
The player's demotion could have a severe impact on their “Service Time”, the mechanism that determines when a player reaches free agency.
The player's demotion could have a severe impact on their “Service Time”, the mechanism that determines when a player reaches free agency.
9) If the Indians sent Clevinger to their alternate training site for 20 days, he would end the year with 3 years - 171 days of service time.
This would leave Clevinger one day short of reaching four years of service time, delaying his ability to enter free agency by a year.
This would leave Clevinger one day short of reaching four years of service time, delaying his ability to enter free agency by a year.
10) It's just a year, what's the big deal?
With a slower market for starting pitchers on the wrong side of 30, a year delay could end up costing Clevinger millions of dollars on a new contract.
Also, what if he gets injured?
With a slower market for starting pitchers on the wrong side of 30, a year delay could end up costing Clevinger millions of dollars on a new contract.
Also, what if he gets injured?
11) Zach Plesac is also facing financial repercussions.
Given where his service time sits, Cleveland would only need to keep him at their alternate site for 18 days to impact his service time and delay his ability to enter arbitration after this season.
Given where his service time sits, Cleveland would only need to keep him at their alternate site for 18 days to impact his service time and delay his ability to enter arbitration after this season.
12) It’s unclear how long the Indians plan to keep Clevinger and Plesac at their alternate site, but given the financial repercussions, you can guarantee they are counting the days.
If this gets drawn out, don’t be surprised when things get ugly.
If this gets drawn out, don’t be surprised when things get ugly.
13) Athletes are often reminded by team management that professional sports are a business.
Whether what they did was right or wrong - at some point, everyone starts looking out for themselves.
Whether what they did was right or wrong - at some point, everyone starts looking out for themselves.
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