Why the Cardinals need to avoid arbitration hearing with Jack Flaherty

The St. Louis Cardinals are currently scheduled to go to arbitration with pitcher Jack Flaherty, and the ramifications of going to a hearing could be drastic.

Flaherty is one of the Cardinals’ most important players. He is their long-term answer atop the rotation and a foundational piece moving forward. But going to a hearing, and listening to the Cardinals openly argue why he is worth less than he and his representatives are arguing, could damage the relationship.

The good news for the Cardinals is that the two sides are not far apart. Flaherty is asking the team for $3.9 million while the team is requesting $3.3 million. It is only a $600,000 difference, meaning there is only a small gap for the two sides to find common ground, leaving optimism that a deal can eventually be reached.

Signing Flaherty, and avoiding an arbitration hearing, will be best for the Cardinals — both in the short and long-term. The two sides will likely begin contract extension talks in the next 12 months and it would be in the best interest of both sides, especially St. Louis, to maintain their strong relationship heading into those negotiations. Put simply: It would significantly increase the chances of a long-term extension getting done.

There is no date set for a potential hearing, but the Cardinals and Flaherty’s representatives will have plenty of time to work out a deal before then. And there is a belief within the industry that most teams and agents will reach settlements before hearings, with teams worrying about potentially losing and paying more money than they are comfortable with.

But for the Cardinals, the ramifications extend much further than short-term payroll. It involves a cornerstone player, his future with the team, and risking their relationship over a $600,000 difference.

It’s not worth it, both sides likely realize that, and it’s why going to a hearing is extremely unlikely even if they couldn’t settle on a deal on Friday.