MLB may be setting the stage for replacement players
The current MLB lockout is continuing to drag on without an end in sight. While some progress has been made on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in the past couple of days, there has not been enough to expect that major league players will be reporting to spring training on time. Add in the statement from the league that they are willing to lose games if need be, and it seems probable that these talks will be extending for the foreseeable future.
That labor stoppage will not change anything for minor league players. They are expected to report to spring training on time as the lockout does not impact anyone that is not on the 40 man roster.
Source: Minor league players planning to report for Spring Training, as planned. “As far as I understand, Spring Training will go, but without any 40-man players. I believe they’re the only ones affected in any way. Non 40-man guys aren’t affected as far as I know.”
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) January 25, 2022
MLB could look to repeat history
Chances are, this will not change anything in the beginning of spring training. It may not even change anything when the games begin, aside from the minor league players having more of a spotlight. But that may not be the case as it gets closer to the start of the regular season if a new CBA has not been hammered out.
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At that point, history could look to repeat itself. Back in 1995, Major League Baseball had begun to set the stage to have regular season games with replacement players, pressuring minor leaguers into taking those places on the major league roster. While those games never took place as the strike ended, anyone who agreed had would end up forfeiting their ability to be in the Player’s Union.
It is possible that the league is looking at a similar situation if the lockout drags on. The owners are not going to want to lose revenue, regardless of the stance they are currently taking. This could lead to the idea that they will bring in minor league players, as well as former major leaguers on minor league deals, and send them out to start the year.
Maybe that is a little far-fetched. But the same could have been said in 1995 during the strike. The league had just canceled the World Series and was facing major backlash from the fans. While the postseason went off without issue this time, the league is facing even more vitriol. That could push them into a desperate situation.
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Spring training is expected to go on as planned for minor leaguers. This may be a way for MLB to set the stage for replacement players again.