Manfred discusses A’s site
ORLANDO — Rob Manfred is running out of patience when it comes to pace of play in baseball. He said Thursday that new rules to speed games will be in place in 2018 even if the players’ union isn’t on board.
The commissioner has far more patience with the pace of the A’s stadium pursuit, which is focused on the Peralta Community College District with a projected opening in 2023.
“There are some really appealing aspects to the site,” Manfred said at the conclusion of the quarterly owners’ meetings. “Its proximity to downtown. Lake Merritt is beautiful in its own right. I think it’s a positive that the A’s are focused on being in Oakland. I’ve been pretty clear that I think Oakland is and should remain a major-league market, so all those are positives.”
“As with any stadium site, there are going to be issues ... But there’s no perfect place to build a ballpark.” Rob Manfred, baseball commissioner
On the flip side, there are other concerns.
Mayor Libby Schaaf ’s preference for the Howard Terminal site. The impact on the neighborhood and displacement of businesses and residents. The traffic, which would figure to be a mess. The parking, which would be extremely limited. The costs of the surrounding infrastructure.
“As with any stadium site, there are going to be issues,” Manfred said. “I’ve become aware of the commentary around some of those issues. But there’s no perfect place to build a ballpark.
“One of the things we’ve learned about building ballparks, particularly in urban areas, is they do have a way, miraculously or otherwise, of improving the overall urban development around those ballparks, and I think if the A’s can get this done, that’ll be another example of it.”
As for Schaaf ’s preference for another site, Manfred said, “My conversations with the mayor have led me to believe she’s supportive of a plan to keep the Oakland A’s in Oakland. She’s been unwavering in that position.”
Manfred said he didn’t have enough details to discuss A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell, who pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Arizona to charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. MLB will conduct an investigation.
Maxwell, who was arrested Oct. 28 and accused of pointing a gun at a delivery person in Scottsdale, was the first and only big-leaguer to kneel during the national anthem, protesting racial injustice.
Manfred wouldn’t address Maxwell in particular but said, “I’m really proud of the way our players have conducted themselves with respect to the anthem. They’ve been respectful, and that respect is completely consistent with the kind of good work they’re doing in their communities every day.”
The commissioner’s office is considering ways to quicken the pace of games, including instituting a 20-second pitch clock and limiting catchers’ trips to the mound. The union hasn’t signed off, but owners can implement the rule changes unilaterally.
“My preferred path is a negotiated agreement with the players,” Manfred said, “but if we can’t get an agreement, we are going to have rule changes in 2018 one way or the other.”
With Japan’s Shohei Otani waiting for clearance to play in the majors, a new posting system still isn’t set. MLB and Nippon Pro Baseball agreed to grandfather in Otani under the previous system, and MLB’s lead negotiator, Dan Halem, said he anticipates a deal in early December.
But the union is wavering and reportedly set a Monday deadline for a resolution.
“It’s a cumbersome process when you have three parties,” Manfred said. “There are issues, but I don’t think they’re earth-shattering.”