In theory, this was supposed to have already happened. With Major League Baseball claiming that they were taking over the minor leagues to improve operations and conditions for the players, 42 teams were let go and the entire structure of the minors changed. With MLB in control, things were supposed to be better.
Except they were not. Various social media outlets were used to detail the conditions minor leaguers had to experience, from sleeping on the floor of a hotel ballroom to the types of “food” that would be considered laughable to anyone who is attempting to maintain the physique needed to be a professional athlete. Housing? While the Astros specifically provided housing to their minor leaguers, the idea that teams would pay for the housing of their players, while at home, was an absolute joke.
MLB finally addressing minor league issues
At least one part of the minor league issue is being addressed by the league. MLB has declared that, beginning in 2022, major league teams are required to pay for the housing of the players in their minor league systems.
That total cost per team? Approximately $1 million. That’s right – for less than the salary of a Jarrod Dyson or a Matt Harvey, teams can cover the costs of their player’s housing. Clearly, this is an exorbitant amount of money to the owners, and they type of financial outlay that they could not possibly handle without MLB decreeing that something needed to be done.
While that is a good start, it is not nearly enough. The league needs to force teams to provide proper nutrition, instead of a slice of yellow cheese on white bread for a meal. Minor leaguers need to be given the same consideration when it comes to hotels and places to stay on the road. And maybe the same should actually begin to extend to the locker rooms and workout areas of the ballparks.
Considering how much prospects, and other minor leaguers, can matter to the fortunes of a team, it is amazing that the league had to tell the other franchises to pay for their housing. Those minor leaguers can be the lifeblood of an organization, especially if they can develop as stars. But far too often, talented players give up their dream because they could not afford the expenses of the season, continue training during the offseason, and still find a way to cover their bills. It has been far too much.
Maybe this is the beginning of a change. Maybe MLB, for once, can do something right and fix the plight of the minor leaguers. Solving the housing issue is a great first step, but that is all it should be – the first step in what has been an arduous process that should never have been such a problem.
Major League Baseball is forcing its teams to pay for the housing of their minor league players. It is about time MLB did something right there.