This episode is about former Astros GM Jeff Luhnow's recent lawsuit against the team for breach of contract. Luhnow claims that the team unlawfully fired him for cause in January 2020 and he is seeking more than $22 million in damages.

Mike's guest is Steph Stradley, a Houston-based sportswriter and lawyer at the Stradley Law Firm. She often does legal explainers for fans regarding sports discipline issues, contracts, investigations, and practical aspects of the law. 

(1:35 ) Mike provides the background on Luhnow's lawsuit against the Astros

(4:47 ) Why was this the right time for Luhnow to file suit?

(5:45 ) Shouldn't this have been resolved in January, when Astros owner Jim Crane fired Luhnow?

(9:40 ) Does Luhnow actually want to take his case to trial?

(11:19 ) Arbitration will be a significant factor in this litigation. Why is arbitration generally considered to be a negative for plaintiffs? Does the arbitration clause in Luhnow's contract apply, given Major League Baseball's role in suspending Luhnow for the Astros' sign-stealing scandal? Why did Luhnow's lawyers write that the Court should appoint a neutral arbitrator to resolve this dispute?     

(17:46 ) Why did Luhnow's lawyers attack MLB's sign-stealing investigation?

(22:50 ) Luhnow was suspended by MLB for a whole season for his role in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Mike and Steph discuss whether this suspension was enough for the Astros to fire Luhnow "for cause."

(27:45 ) Where did this idea come from that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and Jim Crane negotiated Luhnow's suspension?

(33:40 ) Mike's concluding thoughts on the Luhnow lawsuit, including Luhnow's possible future in MLB and evaluating the arguments made in the lawsuit.       

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Music Credit: 

Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4372-slow-burn

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/