Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty may be headed for a contract renewal for the second straight offseason since he has yet to agree to his 2020 contract, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. The Cards use a strict formula for giving salary raises for pre-arbitration players and Flaherty didn’t agree to his deal last year, leaving $10K in salary on the table and forcing the Cards to renew his 2019 contract for $562.1K, just $7.1K over the league minimum salary. “Flaherty wanted his disagreement with the Cardinals’ valuation of his salary noted, and that was worth the $10,000 penalty,” Goold wrotes.
As per the Cardinals’ formula, Goold reports that Flaherty is now in line for a salary close to $605K for the 2020 season — a 7.3 percent increase over the minimum salary, which is a new record raise since St. Louis adopted its formula. Still, such a raise is still very small potatoes considering Flaherty’s great 2019 numbers, and also indicative of how little leverage pre-arbitration players have in earning any extra money for outstanding performance. Flaherty is in line for a big raise once he enters the arbitration process next winter, though (barring an extension) the real big money won’t come until he hits free agency following the 2023 season.
More from the NL Central…
- Luis Urias has already “been doing pretty much everything” in preparation to get back onto the field, the Brewers infielder told MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and other reporters, including full infield drills, taking batting practice from coaches, and tracking live pitches in the batter’s box. Urias had surgery on his left hamate bone at the end of January, so he is just shy of the short end of the projected six-to-eight week timeline for a return to action. The next step will come tomorrow, when Urias visits his hand surgeon and could potentially be cleared to start facing live pitching that same day. Manager Craig Counsell said Urias could potentially see some game action in roughly a week’s time, if all goes well. Acquired by the Padres in November, Urias will be competing with Orlando Arcia for the shortstop job once healthy, and it certainly seems like there’s a chance Urias will be able to avoid starting the season on the injured list.
- After a big offseason, Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams is being no less bold in his expectations for the 2020 season. “We are going to say World Series is our goal because now you look around the room and you see the talent is there and it’s just not fair to limit yourselves,” Williams told The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. (subscription required). “You can’t reach that goal if you don’t set it. It has been a few years since we have openly and brazenly said, ’The ring is within our reach’ and it’s up to us to go and get it. That’s only fair to these players. I wouldn’t put the goal of anything less in front of them because I think they can do it.” Williams welcomes the pressure of these extra expectations, noting that the team had been building towards being a contender by undergoing “a massive culture shift” that extends from the front office through both the major and minor league coaching ranks “getting everybody top to bottom feeling that this is a championship-level organization.” Spending over $164MM on free agent talent this winter was “terrifying, but…exciting,” Williams said, since the Reds had so much belief in their pre-existing core group of players that “it was the right time to spend. It makes it easier to make that decision to go out on a limb.“
now i see why the Cards get revenue sharing money
They don’t get revenue sharing. What they get is competitive balance picks. Used to be 1st round. But now, it’s usually a second rounder.
They don’t get revenue sharing. What they do get is compensation picks. It used to be a 1st rounder. Now it’s usually a 2nd.
More nonsense and crying from Darkside.
I don’t blame Flaherty for having an attitude, but players have to pay their dues and keep building up their stock and their consistency. It is a business after all. They do have a history of loyalty to their players, even when sometimes it is better to spend those dollars elsewhere.
Why worry about him? They have “unbelievable depth” and can send out the next Flaherty April 1.
what ever do you mean unbelievable? Can you explain without doubt that the cardinals don’t have unbelievable depth? Seems to me they have a great system and depth that actually won them the Central Division and got them to the NLCS last year…so yes they do have unbelievable depth? Why don’t you think so Clepto?
Quantity doesn’t equal quality.
The Cards lost in the NLCS? I thought that was the LAD losing to the Nats.
nope paddy0875…the Nats beat the Dodgers in the NLDS and the Cardinals beat the Braves in their NLDS and the Nats beat the Cardinals in the NLCS
I didn’t see anyone resembling a ML TEAM playing the Nats in the NLCS. But it’s obvious why Cards management did nothing this off season, because they have stooges like you guys to lean on. You want competitive? You may have it. You want a championship caliber team? They are light years away.
Clepto can you break down the Cardinals farm system? Who gets the rotation spot now that Mikolas is hurt? Who wins the outfield jobs among the rookies? Can you give an analysis of the younger rookies and the timetable for when they will make it to the MLB?
Cards18, its unbelievable depth and thats all you need to know. do not refure it. best organization, by far, in baseball, located in the best state in the us.
More garbage spewed by the all-knowing clepto.
wow! I mean I am sure people would argue with you about some things..although the Cardinals are the NL’s most winning organization since 2000…The Yankees beat them out for the most but that is AL…They have only had one losing season since the year 2000…that was 2007….and they do have depth that is for sure…and why do people argue about the state they live in on a baseball site….I mean who cares..I’m guessing that you really don’t have a clue about the cardinals farm system since you can’t break it down…so you opinion of it doesn’t really matter….but hey, at least you aren’t acting like an internet tough guy like usual
Haters gonna hate, Dot22.
#9 Farm system. Wrong. east coast biased ranking. Actual is best farm system. We invented the farm system!
Best GM. Mo knows!
Best stadium by far!
Best scouting: we never miss on prospects! You want facts? Andy Van Slyke, Tony Pena, Yadier, Matt Adams!
Best pitching staff in years!
Unbelievable depth!
Next to best vacation spot in the US: Branson!
and of course, the best fans in all of sports, not just baseball. You are all lucky to have us in the league.
Try Google for citations. Its fun. Use it.
Sorry, but I think the Dodgers can hold some valid discussions with you about their farm system, their stadium, their scouting, even the vacation spot. Yes, they have mire money to spend
No!!! Cardinals are the best! And Missouri is THE vacation spot of the country!
My god, Branson is a short drive away! Putt putt, helicopter rides, honky tonks! Bbq! Fishing!
Haters going to hate
“The St. Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series titles, more than any other National League team and more than any Major League Baseball team aside from the New York Yankees. The Cardinals joined the NL in 1892 and won their first World Series title in 1926. Before breaking baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers, longtime Cardinals executive Branch Rickey invented the farm system in the 1920s and 30s.”
Who cares what happened 80 years ago much less 5 years ago? I don’t. People who live in the past are like that 40 year old guy walking around in his high school lettermen jacket reliving the state final football game. Loser with a capital L. Over and done with. This is your favorite topic you make 10 times a week. You rattle off worthless numbers dating back to their first WS. NOBODY CARES except you and your flock.
I don’t really care for your perspective but Clepto stated that the cardinals invented the Farm system and they did
Thrilling! Once again, who cares?
People who like History…I don’t know who cares…I guess you don’t but then again who cares about that lol
Lol Clepto why do you change the subject from baseball to fun things to do in Missouri…that’s weird…and you seriously have obsession problems…OCD with hating on the cardinals and the state of Missouri…I don’t know what happened to you but I’m here to help…let’s not let this disorder go on
Branson, u can’t even get a beer in Branson, typical Cards fan, u’ll b bummed when ur team don’t win!!
What? Thats crazy. Both the Cardinals and the fans want to keep Flaherty! No way do you let him walk.
But ownership never has to pay its dues?
MLBPA, as part of the next CBA, needs to get arbitration tossed and service time tossed.
Instead, use a set of experience-based contract level brackets and earlier free agency eligibility, like the NBA.
What about the reds paying votto 20 million plus the next few years or price’s contract or any of the the bad long term contracts that basically pay a veteran for the years they had even though they know it will probably look bad the last few years.. I might call that the owners paying their dues..
that said, I agree the system as is stinks,
I suspect the vague phrasing of “paying their dues,” was not referring to ownership/mgmt making poor decisions on long-term contracts.
Making “poor decisions” on long-term contracts simply means that some stars succumb to injury or age while others do not. Cannot always foresee those things. Hence “poor decisions” is not always an honest appraisal of what happened. Also, sometimes the risk assumed by paying high dollars for year in the mid- to late 30’s is calculated and accepted as a trade-off for the upside in the early years of the contract. If you do the calculus with that in mind, that overpaying in the out years is simply part of the cost of the contract, of getting the player in the early years, it is not always a “poor decision.”
Mo4Ever, I have noticed you have noticed you fixed your notorious self-upvoting problem. Nice work and its good when people like us can work through the petty differences of day to day life and become more confident posters. You, sir, have a great day! Ill even throw you an upvote.
Well, yeah. Sadly, that’s what happens when the MLBPA negotiates away the rights of pre-arb players, and restricts their salary so they can fool themselves into thinking those savings are being redistributed to salaries of the longer tenured. We all know it just goes into the Owner’s pockets, but..the PA won’t admit that.
I am happy with what the Reds are doing this off-season (despite taking free agent options from the Rangers, but who cares). I find it odd that, despite the Reds not making the playoffs since 2013, they are aspiring for the WS this season and not just playoff hopes. Now, I am not sure how much this is just Williams taking out his butt, but I do think that the Reds have a team that is capable of maybe making it to NLCS. I seriously think that the Reds COULD beat a team like the Braves or Dodgers, I just can’t see them beating both. I don’t like seeing Reds fans complaining about their shortstop situation when Galvis is a fine option over there. I just think that the Reds should be adding to their bullpen over the next few months, and then they will finally be fine.
Great point on Galvis, totally agree –
I think anything can happen if you win a Div- The def have a nice SP 1-2-3 and that goes a long way In Oct –
If you field a team that you think is playoff worthy as Dicky W has, why would you not make your goal the WS? I doubt this team is done adding players. My guess is you’ll see the Reds adding needs before the Trade deadline.
Adding players to address their needs. I wish I could just go back in and edit my previous statement.
It would be realistic to think the Reds can go to the world series. They are the more rounded team in the central and have depth in the outfield and that can be a huge advantage as they can wait and see to make a move for a missing piece. This year may be the Cardinals worse team I have seen in a while as they are old and decrepit in some areas. Expect a three team dog race between Cards, Brewers and Cubs for second place.
Nothing like pissing off the only pitcher you have that can go 7 innings. And fans wonder why top notch FA don’t want to play here? Really? Could you imagine having to deal with John Mozeliak and his bow ties, sweaters around his neck, non prescription eye glasses, and an arrogance that overwhelms the room? But please make sure to pay guys like Cecil, Miller, Wieters, Fowler, and every other scrub you can grab off the market. Keep paying them and keeping the only legit pitcher you have under $1M.
For all we know, the cards and Flaherty have negotiated a long term deal and didn’t agree on years/dollars.
Every pre-arb player that doesn’t sign long term has similar situations where teams don’t pay them insane rates yet.
The Cards don’t need to sign Flaherty to a long term deal, but it wouldn’t kill them to show some good faith and give the kid a legitimate raise.
After one (awesome) season? Seems to make sense to do it after two quality seasons. They have a history of signing big contracts to players after one good performance and suffering from it (Mikolas, Martinez, Carpenter, etc)
I could be wrong about how long Carp and Martinez performed before getting a contract.
Did you read what I wrote? I said they don’t need to give Flaherty a long term deal. They could simply pay him $1M this year as a good faith offer as he approaches ARB. Is a 450K raise going to kill the club financially?
Big Red Machine 2020! They will definitely be exciting to watch.
Flaherty had a great second half and ran out of gas by the NLCS. He’s had 2 full seasons and is already complaining about salary, where does this mentality that young players have that because they’ve been in the league for 5 minutes the teams need to back a brinks truck up to their houses.
He couldn’t ask for a better organization to play for as far as loyalty to players go. Pay your dues and continue to perform and the Cardinals will take care of you.
The Cardinals Front Office and Ownership are handling this Flaherty contract issue just as they have been doing others over the past 3-4 seasons. Placing one foot in their own mouths and the other up their own butts. The Flaherty contract issue isn’t just happening with Flaherty, it’s happening and has been happening with all of their young players of recent years! What’s wrong with giving a player like Flaherty his Designated year salary plus big incentives if he meets certain thresholds each year. That would also entice a great relationship which makes Flaherty earn his money. That’s what Carpenter’s contract should have been. $10 million, plus highly loaded incentives he’d have to earn. As the Front office and Owners are doing now is playing Dictator. Here’s what we’ve done with everybody else. No matter how good you’ve been or how good you may turn out to be, this is it. Period!!! What if Flaherty wins a Cy Young during this time period before his Free Agent year. Do you think Flaherty would resign with the Cardinals. ——- Absolutely not!!! Not unless the Cards contract offer blew everybody and I mean every team out of the water type contract. Then he might re-sign.
I think he’d resign if they were the highest bidder or offered him good money on an early extension for some security. My issue is how do you treat a guy who’s meant so much to this team? Like everyone else? He deserves better. We aren’t talking big dollars here. Offering the guy a cheap used car extra for what he’s done is ignorant
I think the Cardinals are front office is starting to lose a grip on what they’re supposed to represent. I realize we have quite a few young outfielders but Ozuna wanted to stay and made it very clear. We couldn’t match the Braves offer and give him a one year prove it deal. He seemed to look like his old self finishing out the season. But they didn’t even give him an offer. Analytics are great and hard to argue with success but there is a line. Pretty soon being a Cardinal won’t have much appeal
I’m a Cardinals fan and a fan of their front office but Flaherty flat out out pitched their formula. Nothing is ever set in stone and when you have a kid giving you 25 million worth of performance earning peanuts throw him a bone. Not a measly 10k but something that says hey thanks for being a huge part of us winning the division and beating the Braves in the divisional round. There’s being smart and there’s being cheap. No doubt in my mind this is just plain cheap
People let’s not get ahead of ourselves! Control yourselves, flaherty is not one of the top pitchers in baseball just yet. He has pitched 1/2 season of top notch ace caliber baseball which is 1/4 of his career-so far. The other 3/4 of his career he has been a good picture and not a great pitcher. I would seriously think about allowing him to pitch 2020 and complete the year before you guys hype the chit right now. If he turns out to be one of the best pitchers in the national league in 2020 then I would start talking like you guys are now.