The Milwaukee Brewers recently won their arbitration hearing against 2021 National League Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. During the Brewers’ first day of workouts in Arizona, Burnes talked about how disappointed he was in regards to how the team handled it and what was said about him during the hearing. He stated that the relationship between himself and the organization was definitely hurt. This caused an outcry from many fans on social media. On Friday’s “Nine 2 Noon” show hosted by John Kuhn and Brian Butch on 97.3 The Game, the former Wisconsin Badgers basketball legend had one burning (pun intended) question for the Brewers’ ace: why were you even there?
Why Couldn’t Corbin Burnes Just Let His Agent Face the Milwaukee Brewers?
Based on Burnes’ comments, we know that he was present for the hearing and that he heard the team say he was at the “forefront of why we missed the playoffs.” He also bemoaned the fact that traveling to and from the hearing caused him to miss Valentine’s Day with his wife. While what the Brewers said was, well, wrong and missing the holiday with his wife was unfortunate, Butch wondered why Burnes just didn’t let his agent handle the hearing.
“This where the issue is: what is Corbin Burnes doing in that meeting? There is going to be nothing good said about you. And as a player, that is why you have representation. As a player, that is why you pay agents. As a player, that’s why do that, to have those conversations. ‘Cause the agent understands, ‘Hey, I’m going to keep you out of this negotiation because they are going to try to say some things, and I’m going to say some things, and, in general, it’s going to get a little sticky. It’s going to get a little ugly. And because of that, we’re going to be the buffer so that there are no issues.’
“This is a Corbin Burnes issue. This is not a Brewers issue. Now, it became that as soon as Corbin Burnes decided to go and be a part of that. And you can be mad at me all you want, Brewers fans, and I understand that. But to me, this is one of those things that as a player, you know this is the way it is set up. You don’t have to like it. But it’s the reality of what it is.”
John Kuhn Compares the Situation to Something Jordy Nelson Went Through.
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After Butch said his peace about the Burnes’ situation, John Kuhn picked up the narrative by describing how it is similar to something his former teammate, Jordy Nelson, wen through:
“Listen, I remember Jordy Nelson went to talk and negotiate his contract one time. He said that it was very uncomfortable. Very awkward situation. When he was in there, wanted to hear about what the Packers had to say when they renegotiated. He ended up re-signing, but he suggested that players not do it. He said that it was very difficult. It was very hard to listen to teams.
“Now, me myself, I’m hardheaded. I’d like to think I could go in there and listen to all these things being said about [me]. In fact, I did have to do this one time. I went into what you would call an arbitration. The Packers withheld a Pro Bowl bonus from me one time and I had to them to to court with the NFLPA and earn that bonus back, which I did. But I had to sit in front of a judge and talk to him about why I deserved this Pro Bowl bonus and the Packers had to sit there and give their argument about why I didn’t deserve the Pro Bowl bonus. And for me, you know, I ended up winning, so I felt really good about the situation.
“Corbin Burnes didn’t. He got to hear all the negative stuff and got lose. It’s a personal thing.”
This was an incredible insight into the world of professional athletes that many fans do not get to see. It is a real shame that the organization(s) do not seem to value the players as much as the fans do. But, as Butch and Kuhn said, that’s part of the business. Perhaps the business professionals (agents) should be the ones to handle it.
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FAQs
How to Watch the Milwaukee Brewers Without Cable?
DirectTV Stream will give local viewers access to watch the Brewers, regardless of the channel they are playing on, Bally Sports Wisconsin, ESPN, Fox, Fox Sports 1, and TBS. fuboTV will also give viewers access to all Brewers games, except those on TBS.
Out-of-market fans can use MLB.TV to enjoy Brewers baseball from afar.
When Did the Brewers Come to Milwaukee?
The Brewers were founded in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots as part of the American League (AL). After one season, the team relocated to Milwaukee. The Brewers joined the National League (NL) in 1998.
How Did the Brewers Get Their Name?
The Brewers’ name dates back to the early 1900s, originally held by a professional franchise that relocated to become the St.Louis Browns. It honors the beer-brewing industry in and around Milwaukee.
Will the Brewers Win the 2023 World Series?
Sportsbooks have the Brewers at 4000-1 to win the World Series. This is the 14th-best odds among MLB teams. It’s not impossible with players like Christian Yelich, but the odds aren’t in their favor.
