New York Yankees international prospects firing back at MLB
Major League Baseball keeps finding ways to ruin their perception. Between instituting a lockout that was entirely unnecessary and refusing to negotiate on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league has done more to damage their reputation than anything else. Their claims that minor league players should not be paid for spring training only added fuel to that fire.
It is predictable that players would be firing back at those assertions. The vast majority of the New York Yankees international prospects have joined that group, voicing their annoyance with the league over that view.
An overwhelming amount of international Yankees prospects in their Instagram stories are showing dissatisfaction on MLB not wanting to pay players during Spring Training. A lot of these guys make very little as it is and had low signing bonuses so they'd be hurt the worst.
— John Brophy (@jbrophybaseball) February 13, 2022
New York Yankees international prospects fire back at league
It is understandable that these players would take issue with such a stance. While the top signing bonuses receive a great deal of attention, the vast majority of those international prospects receive little in the way of a bonus. Add in their minimal salary, and it is difficult to make ends meet during the season.
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And yet, that seems to be perfectly acceptable according to the league. The idea that players should make a living wage, or be compensated for the time that they are required to be in spring training, is too much for them to handle.
It is strange that the league is taking such a stance. The game has an international flair and is thriving in Latin America. By going out of their way to make it difficult for prospects to remain in the game, especially those who received little as a signing bonus, the league is damaging its future.
That is the case with the Yankees as well. Only 19 players on their current 40 man roster are from the US. While those players were able to stick it out and find their way to a better payday, the same cannot be said for the many thousands of anonymous minor leaguers who were forced to leave the game because they could not afford to stay.
And that is really the point. It is a matter of giving these players the best chance they can have to succeed. The Yankees have 20 players on their 40 man roster from Latin America. Clearly, that area is a major part of their success and the success of other teams around the league. It is time they were paid as such.
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The majority of the New York Yankees international prospects are taking shots at the league about their stance on spring training. It is understandable as to why.