The MLBPA has created a "special fund to support veteran players whose nonroster status this spring made them ineligible" for shares of the $170M being distributed to players during the major league shutdown as part of the union's agreement with MLB, according to Dave Sheinin of the WASHINGTON POST. The fund was "described by one union official as a pet project" of MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark, who "wanted to take care of players who, in some cases, had paid union dues for many years but didn't stand to benefit from the deal with MLB." There are 371 veterans who "stand to benefit from the union fund" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/4). Distributions to non-roster players will be tiered based on a player's career Major League service time. Players with six or more years will be eligible to receive $50,000 on the high end and players with one day to one year can receive $5,000 on the low end. The monies are meant to supplement, and not replace, the $400 a week that MLB has agreed to pay minor league players (Liz Mullen, THE DAILY).
HELPING HAND: In N.Y., Joel Sherman noted the MLBPA on Friday agreed to "offer assistance to the 371 players who fell in the category of still in a major league camp March 13 and having had MLB service time, even if it was a little as one day." None of the players "have to accept the money." Those who do have to "apply though the union and will receive a payout in two installments." The union "looks at this as additional funds beyond the $400 a week that MLB has agreed to pay minor leaguers through May" (N.Y. POST, 4/4). In L.A., Bill Shaikin noted levels of service aside from the threshold of at least six years of major league service "call for payments of $7,500, $15,000 and $25,000." If a longtime player "believes he is financially set, he can decline the payment" (L.A. TIMES, 4/4).
