ESPN MLB

If you've ever been in a situation where you've managed people you are probably well aware of a line that goes something like this: 90 percent of your problems are caused by 10 percent of your people. (Numbers may vary depending on source of cliché.) It is very true that managers end up spending an inordinate amount of time oiling squeaky wheels. When that wheel is productive, one finds a way to cope with the distraction. When the problematic functionary doesn't pull their weight, then one makes moves to get them disembarked in a hurry -- unless state or federal labor laws dictate otherwise.

There does come a time, though, when even the most productive employee pushes the envelope on acceptable behavior and has to be moved along. Whether it be a top salesperson downloading pornography onto the company server, a key IS person placing calls to an offshore gambling service on company time or a talented centerfielder acting like hustling is for other people, there comes a time when it's best to get your company separated from the miscreant.

The difference between baseball and other businesses is that baseball clubs want to get value when they let go of such problematic entities. A talented lawyer found carrying a loaded gun on company property isn't traded to another law firm, he's just cut loose to find his own way. Baseball teams have, in the past, bitten the bullet and simply released miscreants, taking the financial hit of getting no value in exchange for the peace of mind that comes with not having to deal with the hassle party of living every day with a screw-up, but their true desire is to get something in return for their big investment in time, money and resources.

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