Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this baseball free agency period taking so long?
Both owners and players are to blame - owners don't want to put competitive teams on the field to save money, while players are gaming the system by drawing out contract negotiations. Elite players aren't getting the money they expected, which is prolonging the process even further.
What deadline does the author propose for MLB free agency?
The author suggests a deadline from November 1st to February 1st for players to sign with new organizations, which would be before pitchers and catchers report. This would be similar to basketball's hard free agent deadline.
How are cheap MLB owners different from teams doing honest rebuilds?
Teams like the White Sox are doing legitimate rebuilds, but teams like the Pirates are purposely tanking with a $70M payroll while still collecting shared revenue money. The cheap owners aren't truly rebuilding, they're just pocketing profits without putting a competitive product on the field.
Could another MLB strike happen over these free agency issues?
The author believes the next collective bargaining agreement will be contentious between owners, players, and agents. If baseball endures another strike, it could permanently cripple the game.
Why does this long free agency hurt baseball fans?
Fans can't get excited in the offseason or plan like mini-GMs when elite players are still unsigned weeks into spring training. Fans deserve to know who's on their team so they can buy tickets, grab jerseys, and plan road trips.