Agent wants players to consider boycott
Spring training protest could revive free-agent market.
A prominent baseball agent said players are angered over the slow free-agent market and suggested they consider boycotting spring training.
Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball, floated the idea in a statement released Friday, less than two weeks before spring training workouts are to start in Florida and Arizona. He also raised the possibility of a collusion grievance, as did another agent, Seth Levinson of Aces.
“The players are upset. No, they are outraged. Players in the midst of long-term contracts are as frustrated as those still seeking employment,” Van Wagenen said. “I would suggest that testing the will of 1,200 alpha males at the pinnacle of their profession is not a good strategy for 30 men who are bound by a much smaller fraternity.”
J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb, Greg Holland and Lance Lynn remain among the dozens of unsigned free agents.
“A boycott of spring training may be a starting point, if behavior doesn’t change. Players don’t receive their paychecks until the second week of April. Fine them? OK, for how much? Sue them? OK, they’ll see you in court two years from now,” Van Wagenen said.
CAA represents more than 150 baseball players, including Robinson Cano, Yoenis Cespedes, Buster Posey, Shohei Ohtani, Adam Jones, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.
Van Wagenen’s free agents this offseason include Todd Frazier. Van Wagenen said he chose to speak out now because spring training was approaching.
“The sentiment that I’m hearing from players is that something radical may be necessary to show the other side there is unity and strength in in their frustration,” he said.
Spring-training workouts begin Feb. 14, but participation is voluntary until the mandatory reporting date on Feb. 24 — the day after major league spring training games are to start.
Levinson praised Van Wagenen and agreed with his conclusions.
“It is disconcerting, and disheartening for clubs that are awash in revenue and or are fully capable of improving its product to choose to do otherwise,” he said. “Further, it is deeply troubling to encounter that almost all clubs are operating in a strangely similar fashion. There are no coincidences in a monopoly.”
Large-market teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, are cutting payrolls to get under the $197 million threshold for luxury tax payrolls.
“Every market’s different. There’s different players, different quality of players, different GMs, different decisions, new basic agreement, different agents who have particular prominence in a particular market in terms of who they represent,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Those factors and probably others that I can’t tick off the top of my head have combined to produce a particular market this year.
Around MLB
Cubs: Outfielder Peter Bourjos agreed to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to major league camp for spring training. The 30-year-old Bourjos, who is from suburban Chicago, hit .223 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 100 games last season with Tampa Bay.
Curtis Dishman, Bourjos’ agent, said Thursday the deal is pending a physical.
Marlins: Catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary-arbitration case against Miami, and first baseman Justin Bour beat the Marlins to leave players with a 3-1 record this year. Realmuto was given a $2.9 million salary Friday instead of his request for $3.5 million. Bour was awarded $3.4 million instead of Miami’s $3 million offer.
Yankees: Infielder Danny Espinosa agreed a minor league contract and will attend big league spring training. The 30-year-old hit .173 with 10 doubles, six homers and 31 RBIs in 266 at-bats over 93 games last year with the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle and Tampa Bay.
Orioles-Brewers trade: Baltimore acquired backup catcher Andrew Susac from Milwaukee for a player to be named or cash. Susac was designated for assignment earlier this week after the Brewers signed free-agent reliever Matt Albers. Susac, who turns 28 in March, is expected to compete for playing time behind projected starter Caleb Joseph.