With spring training nearly upon us and many of the offseason’s top free agents still unsigned, it’s only natural to wonder where they might go to get ready for the season. According to a report, the MLBPA is exploring the possibility of having a site for the remaining free agents.
“With 30 camps set to open early next week and an unusual number of players still without contracts – some among the top free agents on the market – the union is investigating sites in Florida and Arizona in case it determines a 31st camp is necessary,” Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported. “The IMG baseball academy in Bradenton, Florida, was believed to be among at least three options. The union also is identifying coaches and other personnel to staff the facility.”
If recent words are accurate, this likely will be necessary.
Tuesday featured MLB and executive director to the player’s union, Tony Clark engaging in a war of words. On the same day, an MLB agent noted that he thought the lack of signings would continue into March. By that point, spring training will be well underway. In fact, the regular season begins on March 29.
While this would be new for this generation, it’s not entirely without precedent. As Brown noted, this was also done in the final days of the most-recent work stoppage in 1995.