MLB free agency was at a standstill for most of the offseason as several notable free agents remained unsigned with the start of Spring Training quickly approaching.
That has been a common theme in recent years, which can understandably be frustrating to some fans as they want to see big signings and trades to help them get through the winter months.
The idea of a free agency signing period — similar to that of the NFL, NBA and NHL — was pitched by Major League Baseball in 2019 but turned down by the Players Association.
MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said such a deadline would be more harmful than good for baseball, via David Brandt of the Associated Press:
“A deadline, in all likelihood, is going to do more damage to players in those conversations than the other way around,” Clark said.
The NFL, NBA and NHL all have free agency frenzies at the start of their respective offseasons where most of the top players sign within the first week.
Each of those leagues have salary caps, so the early activity is to be expected. Because MLB does not implement one, players have no incentive to sign right away and can wait out the market for the contract they are looking for.
The potential addition of a salary cap and floor should be a contentious issue in the next round of collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks between the league and union, which begin this spring.
MLBPA executive director Tony Clark hopes players have more input
Along with being against a salary cap, the MLBPA also wants to see changes made to the rule competition committee, which currently consists of six team owners, four players and one umpire.
The league ultimately has the final say no matter how the committee votes on certain issues, and that’s something Clark hopes changes in favor of players’ opinions being valued more.
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