re: MLB Players opting out of the season + News and notes

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On this same note, I wish more teams operated this way when it comes to bringing players up to the majors. To me, service time manipulation is an admittance that you don't think your player development dept can consistently produce enough talent to compete.

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I disagree. They are trading control of 6 months of Player X in his 26-year-old season for only 2 months in his 22-year-old season. Why wouldn’t they do this if he wasn’t a need at the beginning of his 1st season? I absolutely hate this for the players and think it’s something they should argue to legislate against somehow in the next CBA. Until then, teams are almost forced to do it it’s such a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, however, the MLBPA is dominated by guys who are already past this issue and into their 2nd contract, so they tend to only really be willing to sacrifice for things that affect them currently or may in the future. You see it in the NFL and NBA unions too—after they are already in the league, they care less about protecting the rights of rookies coming in. Which is certainly understandable.