MiLB's new rhetoric comes after several back-and-forth contentious public statements from both sidesGETTY IMAGES
MiLB over the weekend "struck a slightly more conciliatory tone" regarding the proposed contraction plan after MLB "threatened to walk away from the current minor-league format and forge a new system with independent leagues and teams," according to Michael Silverman of the BOSTON GLOBE. MiLB in a statement on Saturday said, “MiLB agrees with MLB that contentious public statements are not conducive to the ability to conduct serious and good faith negotiations.” MiLB’s statement was a "direct response to MLB’s late-night salvo Friday, which decried MiLB’s preference 'to engage in a continued public debate with the obvious goal of preserving a heavily subsidized system that is very beneficial to them.'" MiLB took issue with MLB's "simplistic framing of their differences as stemming from MiLB’s refusal to negotiate on substantive issues." MiLB: "We believe all should agree as well that accuracy in the public commentary is of the utmost importance and that the dissemination of non-conforming ‘information’ serves no proper purpose" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/15).
THE END TIMES? In L.A., Bill Shaikin noted MLB on Friday threatened to "end minor league baseball as we know it," after MiLB earlier that night "issued a four-page memo blaming MLB for 'repeatedly and inaccurately' describing the MiLB stance on a variety of critical issues in negotiations." MLB's statement in part read, "If the National Association (of Minor League Clubs) has an interest in an agreement with Major League Baseball, it must address the very significant issues with the current system at the bargaining table. Otherwise, MLB clubs will be free to affiliate with any minor league team or potential team in the United States." The current MLB-MiLB agreement expires after the '20 season (L.A. TIMES, 12/14). In N.Y., Bill Madden cited a source as saying that Commissioner Rob Manfred is “dug in” on the MiLB contraction plan "despite increasing outrage from Congress, fans and civic leaders in the many communities affected across the country." The source added that it has become a "very emotional issue for Manfred," and if the minor leagues "do not capitulate to the contraction plan, MLB is prepared to blow up the whole system" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/15).
THE BIG PICTURE: On Long Island, David Lennon wrote, "It’s difficult to pick a side in this escalating war." With "such animosity from both sides, big changes seem inevitable." Lennon: "While it’s tough to predict a winner here, the loser could be the sport itself" (NEWSDAY, 12/15). In Baltimore, Jon Meoli notes while each side has painted the other’s negotiators as "stubborn at one turn or another, the scope of what’s been proposed and what significant changes could mean should be plenty to allow for an agreement." Double-A Eastern League Bowie Baysox GM Brian Shallcross: "This has been one of the great relationships in American sports history." He added, "At the end of the day, that’s still going to be intact, and we’ve got to make sure that we respect the wishes of our major league partners and certainly that the game of baseball takes top priority, for what’s good for the game" (BALTIMORE SUN, 12/16).
POLITICAL TIES: In Des Moines, Nick Coltrain notes U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind-Vt.) yesterday "brought former minor league baseball players, Iowa team leaders and advocates to his bully pulpit" as part of his fight to save MiLB affiliates of 42 teams, including three in Iowa. Sanders in a letter to Manfred wrote, "Threatening to walk away from the entire minor league system is the exact opposite of negotiating in good faith" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 12/16). MiLB President Pat O’Conner said that he "spoke with" U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s staff regarding MLB’s contraction plan. However, O’Conner thinks McConnell’s responsibilities in the ongoing impeachment proceedings will "keep him from being outspoken on the baseball matter." MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem said of the growing number of congressional members who are joining MiLB's cause, “I’ve met with a lot of them; you have to remember that public messaging always may be different than private messaging. The meetings I’ve had have generally been fine meetings with politicians" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/14).
VOICES OF REASON: O'Conner said that he "left the negotiating team" that is working on a new Professional Baseball Agreement in the fall at the request of MiLB's BOT, and it is now "composed of four MiLB team owners" in addition to MiLB Senior VP/Legal Affairs and General Counsel Scott Poley. SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL's Eric Prisbell notes O’Conner "remains involved even though he is not at the negotiating table." Sources said that the "tone in private negotiations has been cordial and constructive." One source said MiLB’s new team includes “no flamethrowers.” Prisbell: "Rather than painting with a broad brush, both sides would like to take a more granular examination of circumstances surrounding each of the 42 teams at risk, looking for ways to save baseball in their respective communities while addressing factors unique to their situations" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/16 issue).
