Manfred confirms rules changes

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphatically said Thursday that there will be rule changes to improve the pace of play before the start of spring training games, whether he receives the union’s approval or not. Manfred also said he’s not concerned with the abundance of unsigned free agents, acknowledging the marketplace is slower than usual but thinks they will be signed. “There’s a difference between not having a job and having an offer for a job,” Manfred said, “and not being prepared to accept that offer. There’s a lot of activity out there in the market.”