During these CBA negotiations, we will see both the owners and the players propose many ideas to improve the game. In their recent proposal, MLB and its owners have set their sights on changing free agency. Over the past few decades, free agency has been a long, drawn-out process. We have seen many quality free agents go unsigned up until the last few weeks of spring training. So this is definitely a problem that needs to be solved. There needs to be some sort of change to prevent the hot stove from going cold.
The MLB wants a system similar to those of the other three major sports. They have proposed a three-week window, starting at the Winter Meetings in early December. Players will still be able to talk to teams at the end of the World Series, but can not sign until the window opens. After the three-week window ends, teams will not be able to sign free agents until the beginning of February. Teams will still be able to make trades throughout the offseason, except for the three-week signing period. But will this make free agency better?
Does This Proposal Make MLB Free Agency Better?
From a fan’s perspective, this would be a huge win. One of the biggest groups complaining about the state of free agency is the fans. They are tired of waiting months on end for these players to sign, either to take a one-year deal or to re-sign with their team at a discounted rate. This system would eliminate that. We would get a flurry of moves and basically know where all the big free agents are headed by Christmas. It’d be a fun, chaotic period, like Christmas morning for MLB fans.
This is also a huge boost for the owners as well. A free agency freeze would give them a marquee event during the offseason. It will be a time of year when the MLB gets national attention, even though no pitches are thrown. It will also generate more money from TV contracts, because networks will want the ratings that come with this. The Winter Meetings will also mean something again. Sure, there is normally a decent amount of activity during this period, but it has slowed down. This will help it become the marquee event of the offseason again.
However, the biggest issue with this system is that it hurts the players’ ability to negotiate. While the process is long and can drag on, it allows players to earn as much money as possible. Without a deadline, they can negotiate with teams, field offers, and try to run up their price tag. A three-week window will create a mad dash to sign everyone. Players will not have the same leverage, as they will not want to be free agents when the window closes. It’s going to force them to take a deal that may not be in their best interest.
This is the biggest reason why the MLBPA will not go for this. Losing this leverage will cause players’ salaries to stagnate and put players in a worse spot. While changes need to be made, they cannot be made at the expense of the players. This debate will be yet another layer of what is expected to be a contentious labor negotiation.
