MLB is actively trying to change the rules of the game: their intentions are not always bad, but their constant desire to impose things and implement modifications quickly is starting to annoy fans.
The league recently got the green light from the Players Association to implement a pitch clock, ban the shift, and enlarge the bases in 2023.
The union only agreed to all those things in exchange for other privileges in collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
In the last 24 hours, however, the talk has focused on the league’s intention to replace the existing international free agent system with a draft.
That’s a lot to take for players, who are currently discussing the idea internally.
MLB May Be Trying To Rush Into Things
The thing is that MLB wants the new draft system for international free agents to start in 2024, which means that there would only be one remaining signing period under the existing rules.
David Ortiz, who starred in the big leagues for several seasons in a career that took him to the Hall of Fame, said that he isn’t necessarily against the idea of a draft, but more time is needed for its implementation.
Ortiz: “Taking time — that makes more sense. OK, guys, let’s keep up this pace to do it three, four years from now. We sit down with the big-time players. We listen to what they have to say. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it right. Rushing it like this is not right.”
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 9, 2022
Fans, who often side with players on the CBA conflict, mostly agree with Ortiz here: changes may be in order, but give the players, and everybody else involved in the system, some think to let things sink in and make adjustments.
“I actually 100% agree with Big Papi here. An IFA draft seems like a logical thing to do….but to rush and ram it through right away would be a horrible idea,” Christopher Soto tweeted, giving his input on the matter.
I actually 100% agree with Big Papi here.
An IFA draft seems like a logical thing to do….but to rush and ram it through right away would be a horrible idea. https://t.co/vzpqA0YN5M
— Christopher Soto (@SotoC803) March 9, 2022
Changes need to happen slowly, and with time to analyze things thoroughly.
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