It is "time to start mulling solutions" to MLB's current CBA before the sport "gets any closer to a shutdown when the current contract expires" after the '21 season, according to Jeff Gordon of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The issue for the slow offseason was "not collusion, as some players and their agents complain." It instead was that front offices are "simply smarter than they used to be." Boosting minimum salaries "would be one fix," as teams are "favoring youth movements and jamming as many pre-arbitration players on their roster as possible." Another "glaring problem is minor league pay." Most prospects "outside the 40-man roster barely earn enough to cover their expenses." Compensating experienced players is "another challenge." Rather than "trusting the owners to pass shared revenue to players through higher salaries, perhaps more of that money could go directly to players through annual bonuses scaled to service time in the majors" (STLTODAY.com, 4/3).
Clark could seek help from former MLBPA execs as negotiations for a new CBA loomGetty Images
CHANGE AT THE TOP? ESPN.com's Buster Olney wrote MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark "needs to drive the changes that are needed, as soon as possible," and a letter of resignation from Clark "would push the players’ executive committee into needed action." This "wouldn’t necessarily mean that the letter would be accepted or that Clark’s role or title would even change," but it would "give the players an immediate opportunity to reassess, to restructure, to strengthen their side." It was reported last week that some players are in favor of removing Clark from his current position. With that "proffer of resignation, Clark should recommend that the players create an advisory board -- a legal brain trust -- that could evaluate the union’s position and challenges, and offer suggestions." The counsel of NHLPA Exec Dir and former MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr, former MLBPA COO Gene Orza and attorney Virginia Seitz "could be gleaned in this way." Clark is "well-liked and well-respected as a person, and some players respect how much he cares for them," but the players "should not wait to start the engine of change." Clark would "help the players he really cares about by leading them to the changes the union needs" (ESPN.com, 4/1).
