Major League Baseball has announced a plan to continue financial support and medical benefits to all minor-league baseball players. Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reported that a deal was pending (Twitter links), while Baseball America’s JJ Cooper first reported one was in the works (Twitter links).
The plan is for teams to issue $400 weekly payments to all minor-league players — less than higher-level players would typically receive but more than is the norm for players on the lower rungs. The agreement runs through the end of May, unless the minor-league season begins prior to that point in time.
There are a few exceptions. Players that are still being housed and fed at Spring Training sites will not receive funds on top of that existing support. And each team is responsible to handle Dominican Summer League players on its own accord.
MLB also covered a few “procedural” matters in its announcement. The league has officially informed Minor League Baseball — a separate entity that represents the many minor-league teams around the country — that “Major League Clubs are unable to supply their Minor League affiliates with players as a result of the national health emergency.” And MLB indicates that teams are “in the process of informing Minor League players of the suspension of their Uniform Player Contracts.”
hope the money gets to them quickly. many are desperate.
Good to see!
That comes out to less than minimum wage in many areas of the country. MLB can do better.
Lol $400 a week is good money for sitting around doing nothing.
But they aren’t doing nothing. They are expected to stay in shape and game ready. They are working out, taking bp, fielding drills. They are putting in several hours a day. The idea that baseball players aren’t working just because there are no games is mind boggling stupid.
Plus many are having to pay out of their pockets to train/throw at facilities that are still open for something that was provided for free at their former ST sites..
Where did those same players train at from September thru march then when they were not getting paid one thin dime from any MLB organization?
i imagine those players will find a way to train, just like players have throughout history and before the rise of gyms the last couple of decades.
Amazing some expect modern ideals to be an answer without looking to the past to some kind of a fix that works/worked. no wonder so many are nothing but brain dead zombies.
Lol working out means they should get payed not $400 but $1000. lol everyone should be staying in shape.
Is that not a higher wage than what they normally receive? My understanding was they are paid a salary that in the end comes out to well under minimum wage. $400 a week, while still being a true pittance, in most states it’s above minimum wage.
I know players on the 40 man make considerably more & obviously players that were highly coveted got signing bonuses.
Minor leaguers typically receive $1500 a month so a $400 is technically a $25 a week increase in pay.
However, during a season (February-November if a player stays through instructs) the team provides housing, food, and almost all basic needs. So that $1500 a month goes to pay extra things (phone bill, car insurance, etc). Which means most of the that $1500 gets pocketed (unless they blow it all). In the scenario they are in right now, they have been sent home, so access to those things are not present. So in total money it is an increase, but that isn’t an increase in their ability to accumulate money.
No, this is wrong, Steve. The majority of all minor leaguers use their salary to pay for housing, food, clubhouse attendant, and transportation. They get a small stipend for food on the road. Some lower level leagues have host family accommodations, but that is rare. This means that almost none of the $1200-1500 is “pocketed”. Don’t take my word – just talk to any minor leaguer.
I’ve worked for teams in the Minor and Major Leagues. Yes you can find “host” homes. Players who do get a living stipend per day on top of their income. (I think it was $30 but depends on the team.) However, teams provide housing for free during the season. A lot of player choose to opt out because if there rent/utilities/gas can all be less than $1000 a month it is worth it. If a player chooses to stay in the team housing (which is usually a local hotel), they have everything paid for.
Now it is a possibility that the teams I worked for took care of the minor leaguers better than others, but for the teams I have been a part of, this has been the case.
There’s no team housing. They do have some food available in the clubhouse, generally one meal per day.
When a player is moved a level, the Angels provide a hotel room for three days. After that a player is on his own. Generally several guys share apartments and couch surfing is common. I believe this is the norm across all organizations.
Couch surfing is common because it allows players to opt out of housing.
I am also not aware of the Angels’ operations, but if that is the case, that is far less assistance than most teams.
DSL teams have club provided housing and am pretty sure some rookie ball franchises provide club provided housing also.
I was hoping this was going to be the protocol going forward as part of the CBA, not due to the virus.
cwizzy6…………..
The CBA doesn’t cover MiLB players as they are not in the union. There are exceptions like like players who have signed at least 2 MLB UPC’s and are now in the minors. Their minimum salaries are set by the CBA.
Now if only staff could get something..
They also get stimulus checks, so that’s good.
not foreign players.
I think that depends on your normal income and state unemployment limits.
For instance, I qualify for $370/week in Wisconsin. A friend of mine said she’ll get under $250.
I’ve heard some people say they could get around $700 in Minnesota. I believe in Wisconsin top payout is under $600.
Cali is Max 450 per week unemployment
While this is better than nothing for minor leaguers, the players who have chosen to remain at camp sites are stuck with a decision to make. Do I stay here (for free), keep training, and hope that there is season which starts soon so I can make the ballclub or do I go home and collect $400/week?
I am glad to see that MLB is trying to do the right thing.
Good. Let’s keep this rate of pay once games start and keep it year round. I’ve interviewed so many minor league guys and these guys are living below poverty level.