Tipsheet certainly understands why MLB Players Association czar Tony Clark is lamenting the lingering availability of so many free agents in the marketplace.
But is it really an outrage that, say, Ian Desmond is still looking for work after rejecting a $15.8 million qualifying offer? Desmond is a solid player, yes, but can we throw a pity party for somebody that walked away from almost $16 million for the 2016 season?
“I think it’s disappointing when there are as many talented players still without a home,” Clark told The Associated Press. “I don’t think it’s in anyone’s best interest to be in a world where very talented players are at home for whatever reason they are there. It will likely be a part of the conversation in bargaining.”
So look for the players’ association to attack the qualifying offer provision in free agency. As it stands today, teams must sacrifice a high draft pick to sign a free agent player that rejected a qualifying offer from his team.
And teams that lose players to free agency after making a qualifying offer collect a compensatory pick. The Cardinals collected such picks for losing Jason Heyward and John Lackey to the Cubs.
“If there are considerations in areas that appear to be damaging the concept of competitive balance, then they should be reviewed and looked at, and this would appear to be one of them,” Clark said.
The Baltimore Orioles could ease some of the MLBPA angst by deciding to sign two of the remaining free agents.
Fox Sports columnist Ken Rosenthal had this take on that:
“Say this for the Orioles — no one can accuse them of tanking.
They’re close to forfeiting the No. 14 pick in the draft and accompanying pool money for free-agent righthander Yovani Gallardo, according to major-league sources. They might follow that by sacrificing the No. 29 pick (currently) for free-agent outfielder Dexter Fowler.”
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