A subplot to the tension that exists between Major League Baseball and the Players Association as they remain at odds over a financial agreement for the 2020 regular season is the uncertain future Minor League Baseball faces.
Most expect the MiLB season to be cancelled, which will have a significant impact on player development. There already had been indications the number of team affiliates would be trimmed from 160 to 120.
As Minor League players awaited direction on their season, MLB announced an extension of financial support for the group through May 31 or until the beginning of the 2020 MiLB season. MLB had previously committed to pay Minor League players stipends and allowances through April 8, when Opening Day of their season was initially scheduled for.
With play still unable to begin, some teams — including the Los Angeles Dodgers — continued paying Minor Leaguers into June. For those in the Dodgers organization, David Price pledged to personally provide an additional $1,000 check.
Nolan Long, who was selected by the Dodgers in the 16th round of the 2015 Draft, commended Price for the incredible gesture, via David Borges of Hearst Connecticut Media:
One @Dodgers minor-leaguer, Waterford's Nolan Long, got his $1,000 check from David Price this morning.
"If you think about it, the guy hasn’t played a game with the Dodgers, and he sees a moment of struggle for the guys underneath and he has all our backs. That was really cool.”— David Borges (@DaveBorges) June 5, 2020
Price asked the Dodgers to not publicize his contributions, but as word began to spread, he earned praise from Walker Buehler and Justin Turner, among others.
Price stepping in to help provide financial assistance further supports comments made by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium in February.
“I’ve watched him grow and continue to evolve on the mound. Obviously the success he’s had is evident and everybody knows about that, but he was as good of a teammate as I’ve ever seen,” Friedman said.
“The impact he has in the clubhouse was as significant as I’ve seen, so he was a huge part of the culture and success we had with the Rays. What he does on the mound every fifth day is obvious and evident, but as we continue to look to supplement and add to this core group, what David brings goes beyond every fifth day.”
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