If MLB and the players want to salvage a 162-game season in 2022, it’s happening today. Otherwise, Rob Manfred will no doubt cut more games and it will start to get late to resume them all.
That said, because MLB wants to impose an international draft (which the players refuse), there is a conflict on the horizon.
International draft: the big file of the moment
Right now, it can go either way.
What you have to understand is that the prospects who evolve elsewhere than in Canada, the United States or Puerto Rico do not have to go through the draft. They can sign with the formation of their choice.
And this, for better or for worse…
This mafia is the daily life that exists in our country (DR), which harms thousands of young people who, at just 17 and 18 years old, feel human waste because of this aberrant practice. The international draft would put an end to this mafia. https://t.co/AMLiTNH7qP
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) March 9, 2022
Under MLB’s plan, prospects would no longer be able to sign where they want and signing bonuses would be less significant.
It’s clear that players don’t want to see half of their fellow players lose such a privilege, right?
A worldwide draft is one of the remaining issues in MLB/players talks that resumes today. MLB wants one, union and many agents would prefer not. (Though, a few agents are concerned talented foreign kids r taken advantage of and wonder whether a world draft may reduce problem.)
—Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 9, 2022
If MLB does not want to back down on this, I am convinced that the players will not sign the collective agreement. I can’t believe they would give up such an achievement.
Fernando Tatis Jr. notably stood up to talk about it. The Padres player, who signed with the White Sox at the time, believes it would kill baseball in the Dominican Republic because the level of signing bonuses for guys with a draft simply wouldn’t be the same.
Fernando Tatis Jr.: “The International Draft is going to kill baseball in DR. It’s going to affect us a lot, because there will be many young people who used to give them the opportunity to get a bonus and with the draft it will not be the same”, per @ElCaribeRD. pic.twitter.com/KpUm6KEazb
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) March 9, 2022
He’s probably not the only one to think like that.
Note that many prospects there (as well as in other South American countries) need a good bonus to financially support their families.
As I have said repeatedly, almost every single Latin player that I have ever spoken about this topic opposes an international draft, particularly from Venezuela and the DR. Puerto Rican players blame entering the draft for seriously affecting the development of baseball in PR. https://t.co/afBPSW4kc2
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 9, 2022
I have a feeling that if both parties agree on the international draft (it doesn’t matter which way it goes), the rest can be worked out. After all, we are getting closer to the truth in terms of the financial aspects and the playoffs should be at 12 clubs.
But I don’t see which party will want to give in today regarding the international draft, sincerely. It’s really the sinews of war right now.
