MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark yesterday said that the union is “continuing to monitor the Mets' payroll situation, which remains unusually low” for a major-market team. The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Jared Diamond noted Clark “stayed away from specifics, declining to say if the union has spoken with the Mets' ownership or front office about the team's payroll, which will likely land” at around $87M in ‘14. Clark said that he is “‘not aware’ of any external bodies, such as banks, dictating how much the Mets can spend.” Clark: “Is New York one of the marquee franchises? Yes. Will they always be? Yes. Are we paying attention in general? Yes” (WSJ.com, 3/4).
CHANGING SOX: ESPN.com’s Doug Padilla reported the White Sox’ expected Opening Day payroll of approximately $90M "represents an astronomical savings" from the $118M-plus Opening Day total last year. While “undergoing the process of getting those finances in line," the White Sox have created "hope for a brighter future by bringing aboard new faces” such as RF Avisail Garcia, LF Adam Eaton, 3B Matt Davidson and 1B Jose Abreu (ESPN.com, 3/4).
NATIONAL LANDSCAPE: In DC, Adam Kilgore noted the Nationals will soon have a choice -- either their "payroll will skyrocket more than it already has and push past $150 million," or their young core "will begin to break apart.” The Nationals will have about $90M “committed to eight players” in ‘15, depending on which team options they pick up. By that time, the Nationals “will be facing steep raises and potential extension negotiations” with P Stephen Strasburg, CF Bryce Harper and C Wilson Ramos (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/4).
TIME TO MOVE FORWARD: A Cleveland PLAIN DEALER editorial stated it is “time to acknowledge once and for all that the caricature” of the Indians’ Chief Wahoo “represents a racially insensitive stereotype of Native Americans.” It is “time for a clean break.” The editorial: “Take the heat. Deal with the backlash. Move on. It can be done thoughtfully, by simply acknowledging the mixed emotions of all involved” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/1).
