I have a case of the Monday labor dispute blues. The end of the Super Bowl usually means that the time is now to focus on Baseball, but Major League Baseball has ruined that for me.
Financial issues continue to hamper discussions, according to sources. But also according to sources, they are closer than they are letting on to the media and public. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Not paying Minor League players for Spring Training would be a non starter for me. Paying them a livable wage would be another non starter for me as well. You make money off these guys, and they work very hard every day for you. Pay them.
The owners want a a luxury tax and possible salary floor for “competitive balance”. Teams need not to tank, it is bad for the game and for the safety of players, I get that. It sounds like some of those things are being worked out, but not the big ones.
The owners are already the billionaires in this labor dispute. If anyone can afford to miss part or all of a season, it’s the owners. They don’t have a whole lot of sympathy from the public.
Spring training should be the main topic on everyone’s mind today, but instead it is the labor dispute and the lockout. Baseball has once again found a way to drive fans away and make their game look bad.
Does Rob Manfred want the game to look good? I’m not sure he does.
The season is now in serious jeopardy, as is the game. Baseball doesn’t seem to realize it can’t lose any more fans, or there won’t be money for anyone in their arena. I, for one, hope progress is made this week in the labor dispute, but I am far from hopeful.
