MLB owners spent several hours Thursday at the conclusion of quarterly owners’ meetings in Coral Gables, Fla., discussing labor policy in advance of formal bargaining with the MLBPA. This was the last owners meeting before labor talks are slated to begin in earnest, and the league shifted its typical meeting schedule to accommodate a longer session between MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and one representative from each club to discuss labor matters. Manfred declined to outline specifics of the session, but said, “We did spend considerable time on bargaining preparation efforts. It is that time when we’re proximate to the expiration of the agreement, and we need to spend time with the clubs to get ready for that process.” The current five-year deal expires in December, and significant changes are likely, particularly with regard to the acquisition of amateur talent and player accrual of benefits. The owners also discussed revenue sharing at length as part of the labor discussion. “I think that every one of the 30 [owners] recognize that revenue sharing is part of the legacy of [Commissioner Emeritus] Bud Selig,” Manfred said. “It’s helped produce tremendous competitive balance in our sport, and I think as a result of those two realizations, it’s less controversial among the clubs than it probably was 20 years ago.”
MORE FROM MANFRED: Manfred did make several announcements at the conclusion of the meetings. Rays Owner Stu Sternberg and Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts were each elected to full four-year terms to MLB’s Exec Council, the league’s top owner committee. Each were placed on the panel last January on one-year terms following a Manfred-led reorganization of the entire council. MLB will also shift the non-waiver trade deadline by one day this year from July 31 to Aug. 1, as the traditional July 31 deadline this year falls on a Sunday, in turn creating logistical issues for clubs finishing weekend series and traveling. Manfred additionally said an equity investment deal for BAM Tech could be “weeks away.” The league has spent nearly a year reviewing possible investment options from outside partners for the portion of MLBAM that services non-baseball clients, and has been presented with various scenarios by industry bankers. Manfred, however, declined to outline the specifics of such a potential transaction. “We remain interested in a transaction that might brings us a partner that will put us in a position to grow what we think is a great business into an even greater business,” Manfred said.
HITTER MISS? Manfred signaled a potential openness among NL clubs toward adopting the DH after resisting it for the 43 years the AL has used it. He declined to predict whether that would be an outcome of this year’s labor talks. “Twenty years ago, when you talked to National League owners about the DH, you’d think you were talking some heretical comment,” Manfred said. “But we have a new group. There has been turnover, and I think our owners in general have demonstrated a willingness to change the game in ways that we think would be good for the fans, always respecting the history and traditions of the sport.” At the same time, Manfred cautioned that going to a universal use of the DH would erode the distinct identities of the AL and NL. “The biggest remnant of league identity is the difference between DH and no DH. I think that’s a significant issue. I really do,” he said.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Monday marks the one-year anniversary of Manfred formally becoming MLB’s 10th commissioner, and he said the initial year “has gone better than I could have hoped for.” He credited the strong unity of the 30 owners following a contentious election process during August ’14. “It doesn’t feel like a year. It went by really, really fast.”
