Over the last day, Executive Director of the MLBPA Tony Clark has commented on the recent spat of high profile stories around the league. Here’s what he had to say regarding Yovani Gallardo, Dexter Fowler, Aroldis Chapman, and other topics.
- Clark is concerned with the way medical information is processed in light of Gallardo’s renegotiated contract, writes Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. Per Clark, “Medical information shouldn’t be public…There’s a reason why individuals’ medical information is protected. The idea that those who shouldn’t have access to it have access to it and feel compelled to offer it is a concern.” Clark appears to be setting up medical information as a bargaining point in the next round of CBA talks. As Schmuck notes, teams do need this information to make informed contract decisions, yet there may be better ways to protect player privacy.
- Clark was also worried about Fowler’s incorrectly reported agreement with the O’s, writes Rich Dubroff of CSN Mid-Atlantic. “I think it is disappointing that we live in a world where it is more important to be first than it is to be right, and it’s a very dangerous place to exist when information makes its way out that may not be 100 percent accurate.” Clark’s specific concern is that wrongly reported information could negatively affect a player’s bargaining power. He also spoke up in support of Fowler’s agent Casey Close who issued a scathing statement in response to the false report.
- It’s long been rumored that Chapman will receive a suspension for his alleged role in an offseason domestic dispute. If Chapman appeals the suspension as expected, a hearing may not occur until after the beginning of the season, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN. Clark explained the process for setting up an appeal with Fredric Horowitz, the league’s independent arbitrator. A date must be scheduled based on Horowitz’s availability. Stark noted that it took five months for Horowitz to get to Alex Rodriguez‘s appeal of his PED suspension. Clark did mention that the nature of the case could accelerate time frames.
- Clark also commented on the Rays upcoming exhibition trip to Cuba which still has a few road blocks to overcome. He referred to “logistics” and “sensitivities” that yet need to be solved, although he was optimistic the trip would happen. A visit from President Barack Obama is also expected to be a part of the three day tour.
- The Stark piece also contains comments from Clark about this previous free agent market and “intricacies” that may lead to various bargaining points.
“Having public dialogue about a player’s medical information and having [the public know] about a deal breaking down as a result of information that should not be public.””
Not sure why Clark thinks this hurts the players value to an interested team.
When you sell a house, the buyer usually does an inspection. If they find an issue and back out of a sale, then that Pending Sale sign goes down and the For Sale goes back up. Everyone in the public that drives by that house sees, or who checks on the RE web step. The seller is then obligated to disclose anything found in the inspection to future buyers. Tough for the seller but thats the way things work
With medicals, the main problem is that its not an exact science. Ask 10 doctors and you might get 3 different opinions. It can be rather arbitrary.
Perhaps the solution to eliminate the team physical and have all physicals get done by a single doctor or doctors agreed upon by MLB and MLBPA and have this information shared with all teams. r
I don’t think Clark is saying no medicals. He’s saying no release of medical information after the exam is done. In this, I think he’s right. Maybe the real answer is no announcing of deals until medicals are over.
Tony Clark has a lot to learn – information leaks, no matter how unethical, are rampant in agencies and teams alike. Unless you’re going to stop the media from sniffing around, you’re not going to stop people giving them what they are sniffing for.
I agree that it’s unacceptable for this kind of information to get out, but stopping it is probably fighting a losing fight – unless heavy penalties can be levied against parties. Good luck proving anything, though.
Well rounded argument 22222pete. An argument backed up with sufficient logic and a perfect analogy. You have my vote !
If only he talked about something like how there should be a salary cap
There will never be a salary cap in MLB. Teams make way too much money to cap it.
The ’09 Yankees are the only team in the last 15 years to buy a championship anyways.
Bleh on the buying comment. You have 3WS in the last 12 years. You should be satisfied without going further.
mike156, I believe Brixton is a Phillies fan (who must also be a huge Stanton fan)
Every team buys a championship. Find me a team with a $0 payroll
Salary Caps do not equal parity.
A salary cap?! Because its served other sports so well? Because you really like owners? Because you root for a small market team? I think door number 3 is accurate, which if it is, you’re selling integrity for personal gain because there is no rational reason to be actively rooting for a salary cap. Even if it they resulted in parity (they dont) it would water down the game to a coin toss like the joke that is the NFL
He is probably rooting for a salary cap because it’s fair. Just because a team calls LA, Chicago or New York home shouldn’t mean they can spend more on talent than smaller markets. Is that fair? Are you a jock sniffer (see how I turned ur silly questions around on u?). Sports are supposed to be fair, everyone should be on the same playing field, very rational…
The longer these player unions defend idotic ideas and people (I know they have no choice) they undermine they’re public support. Casey Close has proven himself to be a Playa agent, Chapman doesn’t need to be defended and medical being leaked is the price of being a public figure. Even though he has a point he sounds like a clown and the MLBPA is playing the part of the circus. I want to support the players, like Cowherd always says I trust and support the millionaires over the billionaires, but at some point they’ll become indistinguishable at this rate.
It’s called HIPPA and it is to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality. It is illegal to release health information without consent. And unfortunately, it happens all the time.
Casey Close had MANY opportunities to come out and say “We have not reached an agreement with the Orioles. We remain in contact with them, and other teams,” or something like that. The Fowler deal was being reported as imminent for weeks, and there were several days when it was reported that it was done.
At any point in time along the continuum, Close could have politely and professionally stepped in to put the brakes on if necessary.
But he didn’t. He either chose not to issue a comment, which means he’s just lazy and bad at his job; or he didn’t realize he could issue a statement, which means he’s generally incompetent.
However, there is a third option: that Fowler and Close were fine with the media reports because *they were true*.
And we all know they were true, Casey. Your client was texting Oriole players that he was on the way, and telling Cubs players so long.
Someone had a change of heart at the last minute. Looks like Theo got you on the phone and convinced Fowler to play in Chicago for another year. Fine. All you had to do would be to thank the Orioles for their offer and their time, and go sign the contract with the Cubs.
But no, Casey, you chose the unprofessional nuclear option by blaming the Orioles. Go ahead, jump up and down, wave your arms, and make as much noise as you can. Anything to distract us from just how poorly you’ve handled the entire offseason for Fowler. It’s all the Orioles fault after all. It was the Orioles who advised Dexter to turn down the QO from the Cubs, right, even though your client preferred to go back into FA next year where there will be less competition?
Hey good job getting the Cubs to negotiate a lower salary for your client. That’s a trick most of us don’t pull off with such grace and aplomb. Or couldn’t you find a way to blame that on the Orioles too?