Players were reportedly grateful to Clark for making an appearance at the free-agent training campGETTY IMAGES
MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark yesterday visited the free-agent training camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., to meet with the players, "talking to many of them individually, trying to calm their fears and frustration," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. It is the "first camp the union has staged" since the spring of '95 after the work stoppage, and Clark hopes this "doesn’t become an annual affair, with about 80 free agents still unsigned." Players were "grateful for Clark’s appearance." Clark let them know they were "free to talk to the media, and express their feelings, but to try to keep the uncertainty from becoming a needless burden" (USA TODAY, 2/15). Clark said there were "upward of 30" players in attendance yesterday at the camp. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand noted there was a bit of confusion when a Royals scout "attempted to enter the facility to watch the workouts before being turned away" (MLB.com, 2/14).
NO ACCESS: MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal said it is an "interesting decision" by the union "not to allow reporters to cover the camp." Rosenthal: "I'm not sure the basis of that decision ... because you would think you'd want to hear these guys' stories and what better way to have their stories told than by having reporters in Spring Training, come to the camp, talk to the players, and get their side of it." But MLB Network's Matt Vasgersian said, "I get it. They don't want media distraction about the business of baseball. The goal is to get guys working out." MLB Network's Harold Reynolds said, "The distraction gets guys signed. The point is, it puts a spotlight on how many guys are out there" ("Hot Stove," MLBN, 2/14).
TAKING TIME: MLB Network's Christopher Russo said of the possibility Commissioner Rob Manfred may implement pace of play changes, "I don't think he will. I think, until he has a little better feel of the both sides getting along and contracts getting done, everybody is sort of on the same page." He added, "If he's going to do it, he better get going. When are you going to implement? March 20th? You have to do it for a full week to see if it works. Manfred is too smart. He will not implement it if he knows there is tension between the two side. ... He wants good camaraderie before he implements this" ("MLB Now," MLBN, 2/13).
