Texsox

Are you against free agency?

No I don't. Explain it to me. Are you against free agency in general or do players have to earn it by playing for ridiculously low wages for a few years while owners rake in huge profits?

So why is that part of the CBA?

It says you posted this 20 minutes ago. I assume you were convinced weeks ago.

I'd be fine with a May to August regular season and finish the playoffs by October 7th.

Are MiLB players even a part of the union?

Why would it hurt the competitive balance? Players could go to an organization where they have the best chance at advancing to MLB. Why would someone join the Dodgers if their path is blocked by an All Star? But if they are drafted by LA their career is blocked.

Exactly. But maybe they are hoping the other side doesn't read all the details, but I really doubt it.

Meanwhile somewhere I hope the front office is lining up calls to make, players to target. Perhaps some intermediaries are carrying secret messages between the club, potential players, and their agents. It would be so cool if within 48 hours of a deal players were being signed to massive contracts.

That's how I remember it. But we know you just can't trust a boomer's memory.

That makes sense. MLB could have pushed that by trying to get started without an agreement in place and wait for the union to strike. That may have been one of the few PR moves here that MLB got right. Make certain MLB are the villians and have the fans continue to support the players by going to games, watching games, merch, etc.

@southsider2k5 the players are locked out, what would threatening a strike do?

That should be stopped. The question was why people would be opposed to a draft. I answered that.

It hurts the players.

Like starting four years ago, even a year ago would have been nice

Reinventing the game should take a few months. It's an accomplishment they have come this far, this fast. No need to rush these decisions.

Then why is everyone so concerned about service time manipulation and getting players to free agency quicker? Or raising the minimum wage? It's almost as if they support the team owners and keeping players under team control longer.

Career earnings are determined a lot by which MLB team drafts a player. How they develop at the player's position, who else is in the organization, service time manipulations, etc. If you want players to maximize their earnings, aka salary, and lower team profits, the players need to be free agents as quickly as possible. Best of all is to eliminate the draft and make everyone a free agent immediately.

That's the current deal. Aren't they negotiating a new deal?

Everyone should be a free agent allowed to negotiate with any team.

These negotiations are just like the regular season. We've had all the April through July plodding. Now we're close to clinching a few spots. I just wish Joe West was calling the negotiations. What a circus that would be.

It only helps the owners. When players can only negotiate with one team it lowers salaries.

Players shouldn't accept a draft. It's just a way to limit the choices players have and lower salaries. The goal should be eliminated the draft for everyone, not expand it. The whole crappy system begins with a draft.

I think nothing can gets fans excited quite like pre arb bonus pool talk. Look out NFL, baseball is back as America's game. What will the "we're back together, best buddies, come on out to the ball park" press conference look like? You know there will be the grabbing each other's crotch moment explaining this was necessary for the game. We love and respect each other. Etc etc.