MLB‘s intentions of cutting minor league jobs after the 2022 season was really controversial.
It was the topic of the day for baseball fans, instead of talking about pitchers and catchers reporting to training camps – which would have been the case if the lockout wasn’t in place.
The league said it wants to have the ability to cut minor league playing jobs starting in 2023 as part of their new proposal to players in CBA (collective bargaining agreement) talks.
Right now, the Domestic Reserve List for minor league teams is at 180, but the league wants the number to be around 150.
Minor league advocates, fans, former and current players have heavily criticized that plan, as it threatens the growth of the game.
That was the exact thought of Kansas City Royals president Dayton Moore back in 2020.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic published an extract of an interview with Moore from the pandemic year.
Minor Leagues Contribute To The Growth Of The Game
The executive recognizes the importance of the minor league ecosystem as a way to nurture the whole baseball universe with talent.
This Dayton Moore quote from 2020 remains profound. https://t.co/Ivel5zexgO pic.twitter.com/5SODd4JtQS
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) February 15, 2022
He said, among other things, that the “minor league players, the players you’ll never know about, the players that never get out of rookie ball or High-A, those players have as much impact on the growth of our game (as) 10-year or 15-year veteran players.”
He said that the reason they have such a big impact in the growth of the game is because “they go back into their communities and teach the game, work in academies, are JUCO coaches, college coaches, scouts, coaches in pro baseball.”
They will even do their job with more passion than a 10-year veteran.
You may not find a more accurate quote today.
Let’s just hope MLB understands that it can’t keep messing with the minor leagues if it wants to grow.
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