MLBPA Settles Signing Deadline Grievances with Commissioner’s Office
New York, NY, Wednesday, September 24, 2008 … The Major League Baseball Players Association announced today it has resolved two related grievances recently filed against the Office of the Commissioner. One challenged the unilateral decision of the Commissioner’s Office to extend the August 15, 2008 signing deadline for drafted players and the other challenged the Commissioner’s directive that removed Eric Hosmer from the field pending resolution of the first grievance.
“The agreement reached today fully satisfies the union’s objective, made clear from the outset of this dispute, which was to defend the integrity of its collectively bargained agreements and to make certain that those agreements are respected and honored by the Clubs,” stated MLBPA General Counsel, Michael Weiner.
The agreement makes plain that the Commissioner’s Office may not unilaterally extend or modify the signing deadline agreed to in collective bargaining. It makes plain that the Arbitration Panel may remedy any future Basic Agreement violation by voiding contracts agreed to or reported after the deadline.
As part of the resolution, Eric Hosmer will be permitted to resume his career with the Kansas City Royals and will be made whole for the time missed. In connection with the resolution of the grievances, Pedro Alvarez and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed on a Major League contract, and Pedro will be removed from the Restricted List. The Association wishes Eric and Pedro the best of luck with their professional careers.
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As an aside, Alvarez and agent Scott Boras are in Pittsburgh today, and expect a press conference on his signing soon — likely tonight.
Kevin: My concern is that this "settlement" still leaves the playing field tilted in Boras' favor. Why: He represents so many (seems to me) of the first (and even second) rounders that teams are under a great deal of pressure to get signed. Boras' tactic: delay, delay, delay. August 15 comes looming, and teams get in a mad scramble to get their deals done. Pittsburgh so anxious that they responded (foolishly) to a Boras suggestion (I'm dreaming this, of course, it could not happen in the real world) to "not worry about the deadline", then, when his client still didn't like the ultimate deal, blowing the whistle. Could I be wrong on this? So what is to prevent Boras (or a club) from doing this all over again?
It seems to me the guy shorted here is the player? Losing (as I think it's clear Alvarez has) a summer's worth of minor league seasoning. But then I may just be a paranoid ranter....
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Kevin: My concern is that this "settlement" still leaves the playing field tilted in Boras' favor. Why: He represents so many (seems to me) of the first (and even second) rounders that teams are under a great deal of pressure to get signed. Boras' tactic: delay, delay, delay. August 15 comes looming, and teams get in a mad scramble to get their deals done. Pittsburgh so anxious that they responded (foolishly) to a Boras suggestion (I'm dreaming this, of course, it could not happen in the real world) to "not worry about the deadline", then, when his client still didn't like the ultimate deal, blowing the whistle. Could I be wrong on this? So what is to prevent Boras (or a club) from doing this all over again?
It seems to me the guy shorted here is the player? Losing (as I think it's clear Alvarez has) a summer's worth of minor league seasoning. But then I may just be a paranoid ranter....