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MLB lockout poses potential problem for international players

By David Hill

Aug 4, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team Japan infielder Munetaka Murakami (55) and Team Japan outfielder Seiya Suzuki (51) celebrate after defeating Korea in a baseball semifinal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team Japan infielder Munetaka Murakami (55) and Team Japan outfielder Seiya Suzuki (51) celebrate after defeating Korea in a baseball semifinal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports /
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The MLB lockout came at an awkward time for the players. While most of the top free agents found homes, there are still dozens of players that do not know where they are going to be once the season starts up. They will need to not only find a new team, but also find accommodations for spring training and housing in their new city.

Those issues are even larger for international players coming stateside to play. As Peter Gammons noted, those players still need to get their visas to come to the country. At the same time, those teams cannot talk to the players to make that happen.

MLB lockout adds challenges for international players

This is especially the case when it comes to someone such as Seiya Suzuki. Teams still have 20 days to negotiate a contract with him once the lockout comes to an end, even if informal conversations have been taking place. If there are multiple teams that are close, and his representatives want to continue those negotiations to get the most money possible for Suzuki, that signing could take place close to the deadline.

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If that is the case, Suzuki may not be able to come stateside until close to when the season begins. He would need to get his visa and then travel stateside, getting acclimated while he gets ready for the season. His 2022 debut could be delayed with the season progressing into its third or fourth week at that point.

That is going to be an issue for plenty of other players that need to head stateside from outside the country. Visa issues or delays could push their timeframe back as well, leaving them unable to begin the season on time, especially with the compressed spring training that the league is hoping for.

The lockout has had far reaching consequences. While there are plenty of tangible issues that have been caused by this negotiating tactic, there are other problems that have appeared as well. The possible delay for players that live in foreign countries is one that likely never crossed anyone’s minds.

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The MLB lockout has hurt plenty of players. However, the impact this could have on international players has not gotten enough attention.

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