Maybe not? I've seen this a couple other places too.
The BirdHouse wrote:December 14, 2004 9pm CT Union Jacked? Renteria Under Pressure By Brian Walton
I have been told that the Edgar Renteria camp has been fielding calls from or about at least four parties today – his agents, Cardinals management, Cardinals players and representatives from the MLBPA, the players’ union. As a result, he may be tied in knots.
Let’s look at what is or may be under discussion:
Cards players: As would be expected, I am aware there is considerable player lobbying to convince Edgar to come back.
Cards management: Tony La Russa was on KMOX Tuesday evening and confirmed that Renteria wants to return, just as was reported earlier here. However, La Russa also said that Renteria was under pressure not to leave money on the table. I did not hear the interview first-hand, so I am unsure if that pressure is from his agents, the union or both.
Agents Meister and Lane: There is no way to know for sure where they stand. On one hand, they want to get as large a commission as possible. On the other, they work for Edgar. The question is whether they are really working for him most or for themselves most. I can hazard a guess, can’t you?
MLBPA: The players union would be concerned about the impact that a lower than market value deal would on have both on other unsigned players at the position, as well as the precedent it establishes. After all, who heard of not taking the most money? Isn’t that un-American?
There could be at least three reactions to this:
1) Renteria ignores the pressure and signs anyway.
2) The Cardinals increase the offer to narrow the gap toward whatever the better offer is.
3) Renteria caves into the pressure and signs elsewhere.
This is not the first time that the union has stuck its nose into player-team contract matters. The most celebrated example was the original A-Rod trade to the Red Sox last winter, which was disallowed due to the amount of salary that A-Rod was willing to waive. Most recently, they came up in the Sammy Sosa trade talks because of his 2006 option which kicks in automatically if he is moved.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Renteria and the Cards were kept from doing what they both want to do because of his own agents and/or the MLBPA? Who’s in charge here? Never mind. We all know. We just may not like the answer. Stay tuned.
I kind of understand what the MLBPA is trying to do, but when there's this much money involved it seemed they would try to save face a little and let it slide. After all that's pretty much the only reason A-Rod ended up in NY.
Interesting that the union is now getting invloved in contract negotiations. It's one thing to get involved with a trade where the owners are trying to skirt the player guidelines, but to acually lobby a player as to where they should go? what would stop them from getting involved in every free agent signing then? Why would players even need agents anymore?
i think it dates back to a year ago. edgar wanted something done before the season started but management worked on pujols instead. then he wanted it done early in the season but apparently management didnt offer him anything close to 39 mil. he thought they lowballed him back then because he started the year hitting subpar. he wanted to be treated like a .330 hitter instead of a .290 hitter. you could tell there was some animosity because when he finally started to hit better and management wanted to talk about a contract he decided to break off talks and head to free agency. its possible he made up his mind at that point that the cards wouldnt be getting any home town discounts.
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by SaintsOfTheDiamond » Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:08 pm 
