MLB is "moving closer to a new domestic violence policy," as reps from the league and the MLBPA "have been trading drafts and working on specific language toward an agreement," according to a source cited by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. The two sides "have talked extensively to representatives from domestic violence groups to better craft a comprehensive policy." Although no agreement is imminent, the source said that the two sides "are making a 'good-faith effort' and have made considerable progress." Crasnick noted any proposal is "ultimately subject to approval by the players before it goes into effect" (ESPN.com, 7/13). MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said there is a "very positive, respectful relationship that goes deep" between the league and the union. He said, "It's not about Rob Manfred and (MLBPA Exec Dir) Tony Clark. ... We try to do positive things in-between agreements. We did a great thing yesterday: We had all this tax money that we had collected out of the international system, and we agreed to spend $30 million on the development of youth baseball and softball in the United States. Had a nice press conference and eight All-Stars showed up in the front row to support the deal Tony had made with us, and the effort that we were undertaking. It's those little things that really help you over the long haul” ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 7/14).
ASK ME ANYTHING: Manfred yesterday held his first-ever MLB.com All-Star Town Hall Chat, where he advocated for teams to have the increased ability to trade draft picks and addressed the city of Montreal's efforts to land an MLB team. Clubs currently are limited to trading international signing slots and competitive-balance picks. But Manfred advocated for an even greater liberalization to standard draft picks, marking one of the first times he has specifically mentioned a policy objective for labor negotiations with the MLBPA slated for next year. “I do believe the trading of draft picks is good for baseball,” Manfred said. “I think teams know the value of those picks and have become very sophisticated about that.” Manfred, as he has on several prior occasions, also expressed interest in Montreal’s continued pursuit to return baseball to the city. “Montreal is an important market to monitor and cultivate,” he said. “We see ourselves as a growing company, and I think it is important to identify and maintain markets that are interested in expansion.” Meanwhile, the commissioner said that conversations continue about how best to align the schedule to lessen current demands that call for teams to play 162 games in 183 days, and added he would prefer a reduction in the number of games played, despite the potential economic consequences, as opposed to more doubleheaders to provide more off days. “There is a lot of conversation in the game about the schedule and the demands we put on our players,” he said. “My own view is that if we were to do something dramatically different, we would be better off shortening it rather than adding doubleheaders” (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
PICK UP THE PACE: MLB games are being played in nine fewer minutes than in '14, and Manfred this morning said he felt "very positive about the early returns" of his pace-of-play initiatives. He called the shorter game times "good," but said, "More important … the players are positive about it." Manfred: "If you got the players with you, it's going to go well. If you don't, it's not going to go so well” ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 7/14). MLB Network’s Tom Verducci said the new rules have "actually worked." Verducci: "We have shaved some time off the game but more importantly, I think the pace of the game is better." But MLB Network's Chris Russo said, “Is there a big difference between 2:54 to 2:58? ... Do you think the average fan ... sitting in the stadium walks out of there and says, ‘You know, wow, look at this game. It was nine minutes earlier than the others?’ I don't think it is that big a deal. I know it was something baseball had to do last year and it was something they had to address because there was so much discussion about it. ... As a big baseball fan, I don't pay attention to that that much." MLB Network’s Dan O’Dowd: “It’s been really good for the industry. If we kept going in the other direction -- we start getting the three-and-a-half-hour game -- I think our industry itself has a big problem” (“Insider’s View: Mid-Season State of the Game,” MLB Network, 7/12).
