fredsngMLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be a popular person in the coming months as the MLB CBA negotiations are set to kick off in December. Thursday, Manfred took some time to go on New York Sports Radio Station WFAN (in which I frequent daily) with Craig Carton and Chris ‘Big Mac’ McMonigle. On the radio, he gave some updates on some issues that will be discussed in the negotiations.
MLB Commissioner Provides Updates ahead of CBA Negotiations
Manfred on the MLB Offseason
The first thing discussed was about a free agency deadline. All fans can agree that the MLB offseason is a drag, and Manfred wants to stop that. In the last CBA negotiations, one was proposed, but shot down. The Players Association thinks that if there were a deadline, it would give more powers to owners in negotiations. The idea will be brought up again this cycle. Manfred points to the fact that if free agency took place during the month of December, it would allow the MLB.
“Let’s face it,” Manfred said, “We operate in a really competitive environment… I think if you make a mistake, particularly during the offseason if you don’t push the sport in front of your fans”
Manfred on a Salary Cap
Manfred was asked if he was concerned about the Dodgers and their seemingly endless. “Everything the’ve done, completely within the rules” he said. “Being in a large market, like the Dodgers does drive your business.” Manfred went on to add that baseball is a random sport in terms or winning championships.
Manfred went on to talk about the competitive balance concerns. Some organizations are unable to spend at the level that teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mets do. He was asked if smaller-market owners, like the Pirates, need to be incentivized to spend money. Manfred brings up a salary floor being the incentive for to spend.
Manfred also added that their has been “a rush of negativity” in the media around a lockout. He continued to add that his goal is to play 162 games, and the process has not started yet and we need to “wait and see how things unfold at the table” when the negotiations begin.
Manfred on the Gambling Scandals
Carton, who has had his issues with gambling in his life, took the opportunity to ask Manfred about the gambling scandals that have plagued the game of baseball over the past year. “Integrity is number one on every commissioner’s concern list” Said Manfred. “When you have problems, it heightened that concern. I do think there are things that can be done”
The issue, according to Manfred, seems to lye in prop bets and he thinks that some types of sports betting needs to be reigned in a bit. Manfred added that MLB is working with sportsbooks to limit the “prospect of exposer” to the kind of gambling that has gone on. He also thinks we will see a reduction of gambling.
Manfred on the ABS System
Manfred said that each team will be awarded two challenges per game for the ABS system. He believes it’s “consistent with our approach to replay”, since it’s “unattainable” to get everything write within the game on replay. Manfred also added that the players, like the fans, prefer the challenge system to a full-on robot to keep the human element in the game.
He also added that ABS allows a framing oriented catcher to still have a role since not every pitch can be challenged. Manfred said if they went to a full robot system, it takes the defense first catcher away. He added that it could also have ramifications on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Manfred on the World Baseball Classic & In-Season Cup
Baseball is trying to grow baseball nationally, and the WBC is essential to that. “It’s really hard to ignore the power of nationalism in sport” Manfred said. The prospect of the injury concern in the WBC is overblown a bit, with Manfred stating that the track record for injuries in the WBC is good. Adding to that, he mentioned, specifically for team USA, that manager Mark Derosa, is in contact with the individual teams pitching departments to make sure it matches the teams plans for preparation for the season.
Manfred also said there was consideration of adding an in-season cup to baseball or a split season. “162 is a long pull” he said. Manfred also added that adding those events would be complicated due to the long-term records that players aim to achieve in an MLB season.
Manfred on Expansion and Realignment
No, the Yankees and Mets will not be in the same division (thank god) according to Manfred. MLB wants to realign based on geography. This could alleviate the travel burden on players. Manfred added that postseason games would be east-to-west based. An example would be: Yankees vs. Red Sox 7 EST, Twins vs. White Sox 7 CST, Mariners vs. Astros 7 PST. He adds that the late-night games on the west coast become a primetime game out there.
He also added that MLB wants to expand to 32 teams. Baseball has grown, and adding two new markets would continue to grow the game even more.
Manfred on Regional Sports Networks
MLB has been having issues in recent years with their regional sports networks. Just this week, FanDuel Sports Network and nine MLB teams have parted ways. MLB is seemingly set to take over those broadcast. This is something Manfred has been working towards his whole career. While teams like the Yankees and the Dodgers don’t want to give up their networks, the smaller market teams could benefit from joining MLB’s broadcasting package. Manfred added that the games, in all networks, would be televised on cable and a streaming option.
“They will never miss a game” he said.
Top Image Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images