Clubs aren’t being allowed any adjustments to their minor league Spring Training camps, as Major League Baseball stated in a recent memo to all 30 teams. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman has portions of the memo, outlining both how minor league camps are expected to open at their usual time (around March 1), and how veteran players signed to minor league deals can be given the option to either participate in the minor league camp, or not participate in unity with the MLBPA (even though these players are technically not part of the current union membership).
In essence, the memo keeps all 30 teams on an even playing field, as Sherman notes that some teams may have gained a competitive advantage by opening minor league camps early. Plus, the early opening of a minor league camp “could be seen by the union as an antagonistic act by MLB” in the words of one source familiar with labor talks, as it could paint those minor leaguers as replacement players or scabs. Since the lack of movement in CBA talks is making it increasingly likely that Major League spring camps won’t open as scheduled on February 16, fans may have to wait until minor league camp in March to get any semblance of a traditional Spring Training experience.
More from around baseball…
- Players on a 40-man roster are considered locked out even if they haven’t reached the majors yet, thus leaving a young team like the Guardians in a tight spot if Spring Training is delayed or shortened, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. Fourteen players on the Guardians’ 40-man have yet to make their big league debuts, and several others have less than a season of big league playing time under their belts. As Hoynes puts it, “a four-week flyby” of an abbreviated Spring Training “isn’t going to be much help” for either the players or the Guardians as a whole, since many of these youngsters are expected to fill some key spots on the Cleveland roster.
- Orioles pitching prospect D.L. Hall is making progress in his recovery from a stress reaction in his left elbow, tweeting last month that he was back on a mound after close to an eight-month layoff. (Hat tip to MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko). Hall has been a regular on top-100 prospect lists since he was drafted 21st overall in 2017, and even after tossing only 31 2/3 innings in 2021, still clocked in #52 on Baseball America’s recently-released top 100 ranking. The hard-throwing Hall has posted some big strikeout numbers even if his control (13.35% walk rate) leaves something to be desired, and it isn’t out of the question that he could make his MLB debut this season if he stays healthy and continues to progress. However, Hall is another 40-man roster player whose spring work is delayed by the lockout, so the Orioles will need to wait before judging whether Hall should return for more Double-A seasoning, or if he is ready for a promotion to Triple-A.
wise players will play in the Minors ST. Aint gonna hurt anyone but yourself to sit.
Can`t play MiLB if on 40 man roster.
There is no guarantee that these former MLB vets under minor league deals will ever be part of the MLBPA again. Why should they care as they’re fighting for jobs? I doubt any player on a 40-man roster is douchey enough to suggest that these players sit out.
You’d probably be surprised…
Solidarity!
To the barricades!
If they make the major league tam, which is obviously what they are in camp hoping to do, then they will be part of the MLBPA at that point.
A lot of pressure on many of these players. The major leaguers on minor league contracts know they are, almost by definition, replaceable players/spare parts. And the minor leaguers, except for the top tier prospect talents, have only slight chances to make the ML squad. They all know the Owners are keeping score.
These NRIs will be competing for AAA or AA jobs this spring if 40-man roster “prospects” are locked out. Some of these guys will make good (if the lockout becomes a strike) and replace union players when the new CBA is signed.
If a new CBA is reached, they will not be replacing union players, they will BE union players.
I wonder what happens with those automatic out clauses/retention bonuses. Veterans with a certain level of experience have an automatic out clause if not added to the MLB roster by a certain date. But if spring training is delayed, I wonder if those clauses also get pushed back.
I’d assume so, like a catastrophe clause type
How hypocritical to consider minor league players scabs when the union does not represent them and makes concessions to the minor league players’ loss.
Anyone that crosses a picket line is a scab, by definition.
I dont think a shortened spring hurts CLE. I think their lack of spending does.
All teams have 26 players on the active roster and 14 on the 40 man roster that will start the season in the minors or the IL. How are the Guardians any different?
If you read the article, Cleveland has 14 players that have not played yet in MLB. They include many of their top prospects that Cleveland will will be counting on in 2022 and beyond. If the nonsense continues between MLB and the MLBPA, those players would lose important development time which would adversely affect the Guardians and their chances in 2022.
Much of the “nonsense” is aimed at getting the younger newer players a more equitable piece of the pie. I’m sure they will manage to work out away from a structured setting for awhile if that’s what it takes to get what they need. You have to play out the game.
But as a Cleveland fan I am a bit annoyed at the timing of this thing. I really want to see what some of these promising guys look like as the competition improves.