The baseball universe was in shock when it learned, in the last few hours, that MLB could make yet another low move (yes, even for its standards).
MLB announced its intention to have the ability to eliminate lots of minor league playing jobs.
That plan (which has been rejected by the Players Association in the past) is still not approved, but it could give the league the chance to increase or decrease the minor league’s Domestic Reserve List.
At the moment, said list is at 180, but they could potentially shove some jobs out and get it to around 150.
That could leave hundreds of minor leaguers without a job.
Fans are, not surprisingly, reacting negatively to the news.
MLB World Reacts To Concerning Minor League Update
Lol cuz, you know, we cost them so much money 😂 would the MLB product suffer from shrinking the minor leagues (again)? Probably not.
But my god man, why? Why cut a huge part of the game that fans in smaller cities love to save a few bucks? https://t.co/RBYwQr2SR4
— Parker Curry (@parkercurry2) February 15, 2022
MLB apparently fails to understand that baseball goes well beyond the big markets: minor league affiliates are often in the small cities and towns, and people who live there and are three or four hours away from the city need to have easy access to a game.
In late 2020, the league already eliminated over 40 minor league teams, for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic in what was a difficult year.
But this measure really comes from nowhere, and it’s really a low blow for minor leaguers.
Commissioner Rob Manfred and owners have shown little respect for the minor leagues, which is baffling since it’s the source of all the major league-ready talent we see every day.
Rob Manfred and the owners are ruining the game of baseball, especially the Minor Leagues where teams are part of the fabric of the community. https://t.co/VoGT6OvIiJ
— Doogie Stardust âš¡ (@DoogieStardust) February 15, 2022
In baseball, players don’t go straight from college or high school to The Show: they need seasoning.
But the league doesn’t care.
MLB is really the only professional league in the world actively trying to go backwards rather than growing.
MLB is the only league out there actively trying to shrink their sport. https://t.co/ZVlbvPvUoE
— Brent Rooker (@Brent_Rooker19) February 15, 2022
Seems pretty apparent that whenever MLB and the players sort out how to divide their bounty, the minor leagues will take it on the chin again in the form of more contraction, fewer opportunities per team.
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) February 15, 2022
It’s extremely disappointing.
NEXT: Noah Syndergaard Reminds MLB Fans What They Are Missing
