Clark & Manfred trade barbs on cold free agency, possible work stoppage

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In back-to-back meetings with the media Tuesday, it's clearer than ever that last winter's cold free agent market has put a strain on the relationship between the players and management.

MLB Players Association head Tony Clark hinted at a possible work stoppage, while MLB commissioner Rob Manfred defended the offseason's low signings and countered Clark on several other issues.

"What we experienced last offseason was a direct attack on free agency, which has beenbedrock of our economic system,” Clark said. “If that's the case, we're going to have difficult decisions to make."

Speaking after the union head, Manfred said that front offices made smart valuations on players and used the performances of free agents this year to back that up. Manfred added that Clark's remarks implied a “purposeful” decision on the part of all the front offices, or collusion. "The only purposeful behavior that took place in the free-agent market last year is that our clubs carefully analyzed the available players and made individual decisions ... as to what those players are worth,” Manfred said.

He added that looking at the performances of those free agents who were struggling to find work this winter, "the clubs made sound decisions as to how those players should be valued — that's how free markets operate."

While the players and league just signed a collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2021, Manfred said he is willing to discuss issues with Clark, who said there have been discussions between the league and union about this and other issues. The commissioner said that Clark didn't respond to his last two invitations to talk.

Clark hinted that there could be an end to the labor peace that baseball has enjoyed since the last work stoppage in 1995. Asked whether he thought there could be a work stoppage at the end of the deal if players' concerns are not addressed, Clark was vague, but said, "to the extent there are challenges to those rights, historically I would suggest those have manifested themselves in a particular way.”

That makes the idea that the league and players can work together on decisions about the game going forward unlikely. Talking about the designated hitter coming to the National League, for instance, Clark said that idea was gaining support among the players.

Manfred said that his expectation is that will not happen any time soon.

"The most likely outcome remains the status quo,” Manfred said, adding that if the NL went to the DH that style of play would be “extinct.” “Extinction is a harsh word.” Manfred also said that MLB is not interested in expanding the wild-card playoff system.

"It would be great" if the wild-card playoff could expand to a multigame series but adds "there are some challenges there."

Manfred opened his comments by saying that if the Yankees and Red Sox both win over 100 games and one has to play in the wild-card ame, that's the format working. He said it forces teams to play for the title to get the advantage of pitching and home field.