MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred does not believe there will be "any fundamental, economic re-allocation" between the owners and players as part of the new CBA. Appearing on MLB Network from the winter meetings, Manfred said, "We’ll probably continue to spend that 51, whatever percent on players, but I do think that there’s a bunch of things in the agreement that will promote competitive balance. I do think that the competitive balance tax was set at a level that will prevent runaway teams, and yet encourage teams below the threshold to continue to spend, which is really important.” Pace of play was not directly addressed in the new agreement, but Manfred said it will continue to be an "ongoing topic of discussion with the MLBPA." He said, "There’s a general understanding that we need to be proactive on this issue. I think once we’re past the ratification process with a basic agreement, we’ll re-engage and have some conversations about what we want to do for ‘17 and beyond.” Meanwhile, the CBA does eliminate the All-Star Game determining home-field advantage during the World Series. Manfred referenced the Cubs' great regular season in saying, "You went into a postseason where you had a 103-win team not having home-field advantage in the World Series, and I think the momentum built for a change." He said the changes around the game, including the introduction of a pool of bonus money for the winning team, "will keep it as a great mid-summer event."
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: The fourth iteration of the World Baseball Classic will take place in March, and Manfred said he is "thrilled about the early returns" around the event. He said, "We started much earlier with the ownership group in terms of stressing the importance of this event to the growth of our game internationally. We got commitments from ownership in terms of making players available. I think (MLBPA Exec Dir) Tony Clark at the MLBPA has done a really good job of engaging with his players at the right point in the calendar, and obviously they have a little better feel for that than we do. I think that teamwork has produced some really good results” ("MLB Tonight,” MLB Network, 12/5).
PART OF NEGOTIATING: MLB.com's Richard Justice noted Manfred yesterday took part in a Q&A session at the George Washington Univ. School of Business, where he admitted the owners and players "seemed on their way to agreeing to expand regular-season rosters from 25 to 26 players and decrease September roster limits from 40 to 28." However, the sides ultimately "stepped back" from that in part because owners were concerned "giving every team an additional relief pitcher could mean more pitching changes and longer games." The players also were concerned that a 26-man roster "would take away playing time from some players." Manfred said, "This issue is an example of the maturation of our labor relations. We will revisit the topic. I think it's certainly possible that during the term we will end up changing this rule without the time pressure of the overall Basic Agreement" (MLB.com, 12/5).
SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN: In Tampa, Marc Topkin reports Manfred yesterday made it known that there "eventually has to be some action" on the Rays' ballpark situation. He "did not set any deadlines or issue any ultimatums, but said that at some point if there is no progress the potential of relocation would have to be raised." He said, "All professional sports have had their challenges in Florida. Having said that, there is a good TV market in Tampa. I think getting, not only a new facility, but a facility that is more appropriately located within the Tampa-St. Pete market would be good" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/6).
