Major League Baseball, trying to create a similar free-agent frenzy that the NFL and NBA have each offseason, proposed a window and a December deadline for players to sign, freezing further signings until the first week of February.
The proposal, which MLB formally sent to the players union Thursday, would have a “quiet period" from five days after the World Series until the first day of the winter meetings in December. Teams could re-sign their own free agents in that window, but would only be able sign others from the first day of the winter meetings until Dec. 21. If a free agent is not signed by that date, he would have to wait until the first week of February.
Trades and negotiations with free agents still would exist during the month-long
“quiet period" but teams would be prohibited from finalizing an agreement.
Bruce Meyer, interim executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, quickly rejected the proposal, saying it’s only a different way to reduce salaries.
“MLB expressly conditioned these proposals on the players’ agreement to a salary cap system, which would drastically reduce overall player compensation, eliminate fully guaranteed contracts through escrow, and turn back the clock on fundamental player rights," Meyer said in a statement. “Their latest proposals regarding free agency would eliminate player rights by establishing an artificial free agency window, subject to a salary cap, which would reduce player leverage and create a game of musical chairs pitting player vs. player."
There would also be a complete ban on all transactions and contracts involving Major League players until the first Monday in February, giving players about two weeks to finalize deals before spring training.
MLB also is proposing that teams be permitted to carry an extra pitcher on their roster, from 13 to 14, but the 26-man roster limit would remain the same.
There also would be a creation of weekly rosters, allowing teams to re-set their 26-man roster on Monday each week, preventing clubs from shuttling pitchers with options back and forth players from the big leagues to the minor leagues. MLB’s research shows that Major League transactions have nearly doubled since 2011, with teams averaging 57 players last season, led by Atlanta with 72 players.
MLB also wants to modify the injured list, reducing the minimum from 10 days to one week for position players, and 15 days to two weeks for pitchers. The 60-day IL would be increased to a 12-week minimum (84 days).
“The suggestion that the only way to limit roster churn, or incentivize earlier free-agent signings is with a salary cap is entirely unserious," Meyer said. "Players have proposed changes that would address these priorities, but the league is not interested in any changes that don’t directly reduce the rights of all players and shift leverage to the owners."
MLB proposed that players selected in the Rule 5 Draft no longer would have to remain on the major league roster all season, and could be optioned to the minors during the season. Players coming out of college also could be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft one or two years earlier.
Players under the age of 20 also would be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft four years following the signing of their first professional contract, while players 20 or older would be eligible at the third Rule 5 Draft after signing their first contract.
The proposals, of course, are all under the umbrella of a salary cap and salary floor, which has been adamantly rejected by the players union.
“A cap-and-floor system would unlock additional opportunities to improve the game for players and fans, creating more stability in rosters, getting the best players to the Major Leagues more quickly, and accelerating the pace of the offseason,” MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin said in a statement. “In our current economic system, these changes would be too harmful to competitive balance and would not be practical.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB makes radical proposal on free agency as lockout looms
