First off, this isn’t entirely about service time. If Kopech is indeed capped off at say at 140 innings, we’re better off letting him do shorter starts down in AAA while he’s still getting the rust off. Him going three or four innings and then destroying our bullpen is not ideal, especially when he hasn’t pitched in like 18 months. Getting the extra year of service is just the cherry on top.
As for them “lying” about it, saying they’re purposely manipulating service time would result in a grievance they would certainly lose. Is that what you really want?