Union worried Selig, teams might collude to keep A-Rod's price down

[He Hate Me]

:rolleyes: oh no, noone wants to pay $350 million for one guy, it's a conspiracy!!!!! Serious question, is there any player in baseball right now (outside of Bonds) who is a bigger prima donna than A-Rod?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3101262

 

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The baseball players' union is worried commissioner Bud Selig is trying to hold down the price of Alex Rodriguez's next contract and that teams might be sharing information about their free-agent plans.

 

General managers, in an innovation, each spoke at their annual meeting Tuesday about their offseason goals, and many mentioned what players they were making available. The idea was suggested by this year's co-chairs, Boston's Theo Epstein and Florida's Larry Beinfest, and many GMs said they found it to be useful.

 

"Over the past few days, press reports coming out of the general managers' meetings relating to the sharing of information between clubs as to their plans regarding players potentially raise serious questions concerning the fairness and integrity of the free-agent market," the union said in a statement Thursday night after the four-day session ended. "Such questions are amplified by reports stating that the commissioner is attempting to influence the market for at least one player."

 

A person familiar with the union's statement said the player in question was Rodriguez. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the statement didn't refer to A-Rod by name.

 

Rob Manfred, executive vice president of labor relations in the commissioner's office, denied that there was any improper conduct.

 

Baseball's labor contract says teams may not act in concert with regard to free agents. Union head Donald Fehr did not specify which reports concerned him but was clearly concerned a team's action might not be based solely on its own determinations.

 

"Any such activity with respect to free agents is clearly improper," Fehr said in a statement. "We expect to look into the situation and are prepared to take the appropriate action to respond to any collusive behavior and to make sure that the rights of free-agent players under the Basic Agreement are fully protected."

 

Fehr was traveling Thursday night and could not be reached.

 

"I am at a loss to understand Mr. Fehr's inflammatory allegations," Manfred said. "In response to an inquiry, the MLBPA was informed early today that there has been no exchange of information among the clubs about players -- free agent or otherwise.

 

"The union was also told that the press report in question was based on a very general discussion of club 'needs' and 'goals' in the offseason to facilitate trade discussions. Any suggestion that such a discussion violates the Basic Agreement is absurd," Manfred said.

 

In the 1980s, players won three collusion grievances against management, cases that were settled for $280 million.

 

Rodriguez opted out of a record $252 million, 10-year contract with the New York Yankees, forfeiting $72 million he was owed during the final three seasons. When the Yankees attempted to get a meeting with A-Rod, agent Scott Boras told them they had to make a $350 million offer if they wished to speak with the third baseman.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Honestly, what the f*** is there to have with 35 million that you couldn't have with 28?

[He Hate Me]

Honestly' date=' what the f*** is there to have with 35 million that you couldn't have with 28?[/quote']

 

TWO transexual strippers.

 

Also the better question may be what is there to have at $10M that you couldn't have at $5M per year or whatever percentage it is that Broass gets from ARod

[rician blast]

As I said in the "Where Will ARod Land" thread...

 

heh' date=' heh, heh.....no. It would be absolutely fkn beautiful. But if that were to happen you could almost guarantee that there'd by cries of collusion. In fact, in this case, I'm all for collusion.[/quote']

 

Just the idea of ARod not getting every dollar he can scares the union.

 

I've read in the past that players EXPECT every FA to maximize their salary...that they and the union actually get pissed when players take home-town discounts and such because of the potential trickle-down effect. Sounds like the union is trying to pre-empt any shenannigans by the owners and their FOs.

[Ray10]

I say if a team is willing to pay the guy what he wants then let them it's not hurting any of us. It's really just hurting the team that pays for him when it comes to the postseason and he can't produce.

[Thumper]

I say if a team is willing to pay the guy what he wants then let them it's not hurting any of us. It's really just hurting the team that pays for him when it comes to the postseason and he can't produce.

 

Wurd.

[riverside sluggers]

Im thinking down the road, late 30s/early 40s. Will he come close to being worth $35 million per year at the end of his career?

[TheKilo]

Im thinking down the road' date=' late 30s/early 40s. Will he come close to being worth $35 million per year at the end of his career?[/quote']

 

If anyone will, it will be ARod.

[Gom]

The truth is, he's not worth what he's asking for. You know, I hope the Red Sox sign Lowell, and that the Angels trade for Cabrera. At that point, who's left?

 

Mets....why play second fiddle in New York? Secondly, as much as Minaya wants to make a splash, he already has All-Stars at both 3B and SS. Doesn't make fiscal sense for the Mets or a logical one for Arod.

 

Dodgers...Even with Arod, the Dodgers are not the class of the West. In fact, the Arod signing puts them ahead of the Giants. That's it. Goodbye post-season for the next three years.

 

Marlins...please.

 

Giants...even with Arod, the worst team in the division. Wonder if they have a good school system.

 

Doesn't make sense. Unless he signs with the Red Sox, or Angels, he is not making the playoffs year after year. The Mets would be a downgrade for him, but seeing how they choked in September, he would be a good fit there.

 

I really think that Boras made a mistake by opting him out. I think this mistake will cost his client millions.

[jacksonianmarch]

If ARod goes to the Mets, then i expect them to deal for Santana using Reyes as a major chip.

[BSN07]

If ARod goes to the Mets' date=' then i expect them to deal for Santana using Reyes as a major chip.[/quote']

 

I was going to say same exact thing:thumbsup: