Cincinnati Reds: Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani will be free agents

Major League Baseball and the player’s union came to an agreement that will allow Cincinnati Reds starters Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani to explore free agency next winter.

One of the biggest sticking points in the recent discussions between Major League Baseball and the player’s association was the subject of service time. Should the 2020 season be shortened or cancelled, would players be credited for playing? The answer to that question is yes, and that means that Cincinnati Reds pitchers Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani can test free agency.

This is a huge win for the player’s association. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the players are guaranteed to receive a full-year of service time despite a partial season or no season at all in 2020. In turn, the players agreed to prorated salaries for the upcoming season and made some concessions for the upcoming draft.

We spoke earlier in the week how the decisions made in these negotiations could affect the likes of Bauer, DeSclafani and outfielder Jesse Winker. Bauer and DeSclafani we’re slated to become free agents at season’s end and Winker was to enter the offseason eligible for arbitration. With the new deal, which is likely to be ratified this afternoon, those concerns can be put to bed.

Service time is already a hot-button issue between Major League Baseball and the player’s union and one that is likely to receive a deeper dive once negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement commence. The current deal expires in 2021.

For the Reds, this could mean that Cincinnati traded away top prospect Taylor Trammell and outfielder Yasiel Puig a less than optimal return if Trevor Bauer only accumulates 30 or so starts. Bauer appeared in just 10 games for the Reds in 2019 and put up a 6.39 ERA. Bauer has spoken often about his desire to only sign one-year contracts once he reaches free agency.

While an agreement between Bauer and the Reds beyond 2020 is unlikely, it’s not out of the question. However, the likelihood of an agreement between Anthony DeSclafani and Cincinnati may be more attainable once next year’s offseason begins. Disco went 9-9 with a 3.89 ERA in 31 starts last season.

Regardless of how many games are played during the upcoming season, even if that number is zero, all major league players will be granted one year of service time. While this upcoming season will be anything but normal, it appears as though the offseason will proceed as many assumed it would.