Phillies, other rebuilding teams under fire from player’s union

With the lack of teams going big in free agency, the player’s union is criticizing rebuilding teams like the Phillies for threatening baseball’s integrity.

The fact that virtually no big free agents have signed this offseason is well-documented. Teams are avoiding the monster contracts that are usually given out every year, while the players still have their hopes high. Add the fact that several rebuilding teams like the Phillies have little to no interest in free agency, and things are starting to reach a boiling point.

With spring training set to start in less than a week, there are over 100 free agents left on the market with nowhere to go. The MLB Player’s Association is setting up training camps for these free agents to make sure these players are still in shape for the regular season.

Obviously, the union is not happy with how free agency has progressed (rather, how little it has) this offseason. They have now set their sights on rebuilding teams in baseball, of which there are plenty:

Executive director Tony Clark criticizes the rebuilding teams in the league, which would include Philadelphia, for participating in a “race to the bottom” of the league. He states that this is jeopardizing the “integrity of the game”. The union is suggesting that teams are content with losing now – perhaps even trying to – as they rebuild and try to be better in the future.

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Agent Scott Boras, who represents many of the top free agents still available, said that the lack of competing teams is hurting the game as well: [quote via Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune]

"“They decided we’re going to have the 12 teams-a-tanking, if you will, and therefore you have a noncompetitive cancer and this is completely opposite of what (then-)Commissioner (Bud) Selig in good-faith sought in bargaining,” Boras said."

The lack of movement in free agency this year is a microcosm of a lot of issues with free agency. The fact that multiple teams are in various stages of rebuilding is one of those issues. These teams are more likely to allow a young player still under team control to get playing time at a certain position. They hope that these players can be productive to similar levels that a free agent could be, saving them money in the process.

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Clubs are also saving their money for the 2019 free agent class, when some of the biggest names in baseball will be available. The usual big spenders, like the Dodgers and the Yankees, are holding back until next year when they can really bust the bank. Some rebuilding teams – like the Phillies – are also waiting for next offseason before they go big in free agency.

Not to mention, clubs value more than ever young players on team-friendly extensions. That’s what made Christian Yelich and others so popular on the hot stove at the trade deadline and during the offseason. Given the option, more teams would rather give up prospects for a player on a cheap, long-term deal as opposed to a much more expensive contract.

Next: The Scott Boras Effect: The Phillies Need Arietta

A battle is brewing between players and the league. When this collective bargaining agreement expires, we are certainly going to see a revamp of the free agency and arbitration system to try and remedy this free agency problem.