Tony Clark is pretty terrible at his job. Yeah you get 26 per team but you also lose 12 players getting MLB salaries and healthcare in September, per team. Then the increase to 15 days for guys sent down means teams rotate relievers less now but you also miss out on relievers getting a chance on that shuttle. Now they'll just keep them in AAA. Further, the injured list returning to 15 days minimum means players are 100% going to hide injuries.
They also get shorter breaks between innings, an "Election Day" means less pub for lesser-known players campaigning for ASG spots. Really great work, Tony! At least you got, uh, a million dollars for the Bryce Harpers of the world.
It's a complete loss if the next CBA doesn't change minor league pay and salaries during team control years. Just spitballing, I would offer something like:
- First 3 years should be $500K/$1.25M/$2M
- 2 option years similar to a franchise tag where you can pay the qualifying offer and 125% of the qualifying offer
- If you decline an option year the player hits free agency
That would shorten max team control by one year, and effectively shorten team control for role players. I especially hate the current system for pitchers, who live year-to-year at cut-rate salaries, waiting for an inevitable injury. You either live on the edge like Blake Treinen (receiving his first real big money year this season) or you're forced to take whatever a team offers you in long-term security like Felipe Vazquez, who basically signed away his entire career for little more than the top guys make in a year.
