Jake Peavy
May 21, 2009
IT DIDN’T HAPPEN (and why)
Rumors were rampant yesterday that the Chicago White Sox would acquire San Diego Padres pitching ace Jake Peavy by trade. The deal was in place, with the White Sox offering the Padres some of their best young prospects in exchange for Peavy. It did not happen because of language in Jake Peavey’s contract that allowed Peavy to reject any trade that was not to his liking. The uniform player contract, paragraph six, the assignment or trade clause, allows for a player to negotiate specific language to reject trades that the player feels are not in his best interest.
Paragraph six of the MLB uniform contract reads as follows:
ASSIGNMENT
6(a) The player agrees that this contract may be assigned by the Club (and reassigned by any assignee club) to any other Club in accordance with the Major League Rules and the Professional Baseball Rules.
The Club and the Player may, without obtaining special approval, agree by special covenant to limit or eliminate the right of the Club to assign this contract.
May 21, 2009
Memorial Day
Memorial Day will be observed in the United States this Monday. The holiday of tribute to our fallen soldiers dates back to just after the Civil War. Let’s pay tribute to the men and women who have given their lives to defend our country. Of course at sportslawtalk .com we have to tie Memorial Day into sports law. You know that baseball players such as Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio took time away from their baseball careers to serve in the military. Did you know paragraph 16 of the NFL Player Contract addresses what happens if a player becomes a member of the Armed Forces?
Paragraph 16 of the NFL Player Contract.
16. EXTENSION. Unless this contract specifically provided otherwise, if Player becomes a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or any other country, or retires from professional football as an active player, or otherwise fails or refuses to perform his services under this contract, then this contract will be tolled between the date of Player’s induction into the Armed Forces, or his retirement, or his failure or refusal to perform, and then the later date of his return to professional football. During this period Player will not be entitled to any compensation or benefits. On Player’s return to professional football, the term of this contract will be extended for a period of time equal to the number of seasons (to the nearest multiple of one) remaining at the time the contract was tolled. The right of renewal, if any, contained in this contract will remain in effect until the end of any such extended term.
Categories: assignment clause, players entering military service, trade clause
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