MLBPA refusing to allow team executives at their Spring Training
By David Hill
With so many free agents left unsigned, the MLBPA Spring Training is going to draw interest. Just don’t expect to watch it, even if you are a team executive.
Spring Training is getting underway, with pitchers and catchers reporting to their respective teams, looking to get ready for the coming season. In normal circumstances, this would be a time when teams would be unveiling their newest additions, looking forward to the upcoming season with the hope that this would be the year they win a world championship.
However, this has not been a normal offseason. More than 100 free agents remain unsigned. Close to ten teams appear to be punting 2018, looking to race to the bottom. The MLBPA is operating their own Spring Training, where those unsigned players are working to get into shape. If any teams are hoping to use that MLBPA training camp to get a look at those remaining free agents, they are in for disappointment, as the workouts have been closed off.
From a club executive: “A special assistant to the General Manager was asked to leave the workout (of unsigned free agents) today at IMG. Was escorted out. I cannot believe the players wouldn't want scouts at their workout to see who's in shape.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2018
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However, if teams are interested in one of the players in camp, arrangements can be made. Contact the MLBPA, and a private workout can be arranged. Just do not expect to be able to watch multiple players at the same time – after all, that would be advantageous to the teams that refused to sign these players in the first place.
This does make sense from the Union’s standpoint. They have to put together their own Spring Training due to the slow market, leading to a good deal of animosity towards the owners. Why would they look to do these teams any favors, when they had months to bring these players into the fold?
And yet, it makes sense that the teams would want to see who is in shape. If a player suddenly appeared to the size of Bartolo Colon, or has put on 20 pounds of muscle, teams are going to want to know. They’ll find out during the private workout anyway, but why the secrecy?
If teams are hoping to get in to the MLBPA Spring Training camp, they will be sorely disappointed. It’s a bold move Cotton; let’s see if it pays off.