One of the biggest sticking points in the recent discussions between Major League Baseball and the player’s association was the subject of service time. Should the 2020 season be shortened or cancelled, would players be credited for playing? The answer to that question is yes, and that means that Cincinnati Reds pitchers Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani can test free agency.
This is a huge win for the player’s association. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the players are guaranteed to receive a full-year of service time despite a partial season or no season at all in 2020.