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Rob Manfred Criticizes MLBPA For Resisting Changes To Improve Pace Of Play

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expects no meaningful rule changes this season "largely because of resistance" from the MLBPA, but he "vowed to continue pursuing strategies to speed up the pace of play in future seasons," according to Dave Sheinin of the WASHINGTON POST. That includes possibly "imposing unilateral rule changes over the union’s objections." Manfred yesterday said, "We have a disagreement about the need to push forward on these issues. ... I have great respect for the labor relations process, (but) I have to admit I was disappointed we could not even get the MLBPA to agree to even a modest rule changes like (limiting) trips to the mound." Manfred’s comments came two days after MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said that the players were "against most of the rule changes and argued the sport could increase the level of fans’ engagement with the sport through education instead of rule changes." Manfred said that the CBA reached in December "contains a two-year negotiating window for agreeing to rule changes." But while that process "requires agreement from both sides to make changes" in '17, management "retains the right to impose changes unilaterally in Year 2, should no agreement be reached." Manfred has been "pushing strategies for speeding up the pace of play in baseball" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/22). Clark "took exception to Manfred’s comments." He said that rule changes already are "expected to be implemented this season." USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale notes there are "plans for a two-minute limit this year for instant replay reviews," while pitchers can now "signal for an intentional walk" without having to throw the pitches. Clark in an email wrote, "Unless your definition of ‘cooperation’ is blanket approval, I don’t agree that we’ve failed to cooperate with the Commissioner's office on these issues." Nightengale notes Manfred "made it clear he still wants to receive the union’s approval and they will negotiate during the season" (USA TODAY, 2/22).

IF IT AIN'T BROKE...
: ESPN BOSTON's Scott Lauber notes Clark "isn't ready to consider rule changes that would radically alter the sport." Clark, after visiting the Red Sox in Ft. Myers, said, "I look forward to opportunities moving forward to share our game in a way to have some other folks fall in love with it, either again or for the first time. I'm always interested in trying to hear ways to make improvements, but I think the game itself is pretty sexy the way it is despite its challenges." Clark noted that there "isn't enough time to have a discussion about more significant changes, such as the definition of the strike zone" before the start of the season (ESPNBOSTON.com, 2/22). Cardinals P Adam Wainwright said, "I just don’t know why we have to change the game so much. I don’t see where everyone is coming from when they say our game isn’t good enough right where it is. It’s perfect just the way it is" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/22). Braves 1B Freddie Freeman: "I don’t think we should be changing the game at all. It’s a beautiful game the way it is" (TWITTER.com, 2/22).

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: SI.com's Tom Verducci writes Manfred yesterday "finally had enough of the union’s full-on blockade of attempts to modernize the game." Before a single game has been played under the new CBA, Manfred "put Clark in a corner: Negotiate change or have it shoved down your throat." The fact that Manfred "pulled this naked power play tells you how bad the talks have been toward modernizing the game." Verducci: "Welcome to the first real war in the tenures of this commissioner and this union chief" (SI.com, 2/22). YAHOO SPORTS' Jeff Passan noted Manfred yesterday made clear he "will not sit idly as opponents ... attempt to filibuster changes he believes will help the game." Manfred's press conference showed him "at his most forceful." While these ideas could well "define the early years of his commissionership, their potential implementation further speaks to the fashion in which the league office views the union" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/21). FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal writes the "confrontational tone" of Manfred's remarks was "stunning, considering that the two sides reached a new collective-bargaining agreement less than three months ago." Manfred "threw his figurative knockdown pitch without fear of an umpire issuing a warning." Rosenthal: "Yes, it’s that nasty in this supposed era of good feeling" (FOXSPORTS.com, 2/22). In Tacoma, John McGrath writes the MLBPA's problem "isn’t with minimally significant rule changes." Its problem is somebody "asserting his aggressiveness." McGrath: "The MLBPA yawned at him, and he got mad, and wherever this is going, I’m on his side" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 2/22).

TIMING IS INTERESTING: SPORTSNET.ca's Jeff Blair noted only Manfred "knows for certain why he ratcheted up the pressure" on the MLBPA yesterday. For the first time since replacing Bud Selig in January '15, Manfred "used the bully pulpit of his office." He certainly "wouldn’t be the first commissioner to view little wins here and there as a means of forwarding a wider agenda, to take advantage of every opportunity to chip away at the union," and there could be some "residual bitterness over recent CBA talks." However, with labor peace guaranteed through '21, it is "tough to see a reason for either side to have that as an endgame" (SPORTSNET.ca, 2/21). In K.C., Sam Mellinger writes, "Manfred did not get what he wanted from the union, and like any good pouter, he’s blaming the other side." Mellinger: "This is as close to a temper tantrum as the rules of decorum for a man with a big-boy job allow" (K.C. STAR, 2/22).

BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION: In Ft. Worth, Gil LeBreton writes Manfred's pace-of-play initiatives "are all reasonable." Pitch clocks in the minors have been an "undisputed success," as the 20-second timers have "become like an invisible drill sergeant, hurrying both pitcher and batter along." LeBreton: "The no-throw intentional walk is a no-brainer." Clark has "every right ... to dig in his spikes," but he is "wrong." Three-hour-plus baseball games "aren’t sexy -- they’re just long" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/22). But in Boston, Nick Cafardo writes, "I like the fact that Clark ... is resisting. Let’s hope he holds his ground and that the players say, 'Enough is enough'" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/22). Also in Boston, Ron Borges writes under the header, "When It Comes To Altering Our Favorite Games, Change Isn't Always A Good Thing" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/22).

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