Sports

Clark: Players still concerned about unsigned free agents

24 of February 2018

FIEL - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Players Association, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. A proposal collapsed that would have put a runner on second base to start the 10th inning of spring training games, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because no statements were authorized. Management thinks the union backed off because players were upset Commissioner Rob Manfred described new pace-of-game rules that apply to the regular season as an agreement, the person said. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File),FIEL - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Players Association, answers questions at a news conference in Phoenix. A proposal collapsed that would have put a runner on second base to start the 10th inning of spring training games, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because no statements were authorized. Management thinks the union backed off because players were upset Commissioner Rob Manfred described new pace-of-game rules that apply to the regular season as an agreement, the person said. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Union leader Tony Clark says major league players remain concerned about the unusual amount of unsigned free agents with spring training nearing the end of its second week. Clark has begun his annual tour of camps, starting with the Boston Red Sox. Clark says a potential tanking tax or a payroll floor for teams for a future collective bargaining agreement is worthy of more discussion.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Union leader Tony Clark says major league players remain concerned about the unusual amount of unsigned free agents with spring training nearing the end of its second week.

Clark began his annual tour of camps on Saturday with Boston in Fort Myers. Clark said after his session in the Red Sox clubhouse that the union’s special training camp for free agents in Bradenton will stay open indefinitely.

About one-third of the 166 players who exercised free agency rights last November have not reached a contract agreement with a team. That includes stars like starting pitcher Jake Arrieta and third baseman Mike Moustakas.

Clark said “everything’s worthy of more discussion” on the subject of a potential tanking tax or a payroll floor for a future collective bargaining agreement.

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