The 2023 MLB free agency period was a drawn-out process for many players, resulting some of the bigger names signing lesser contracts than originally expected and others who remain unsigned.
Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell — all Scott Boras clients — were projected to sign nine-figure contracts at the start of the offseason but had to settle for short-term deals.
Meanwhile, the likes of Jordan Montgomery and J.D. Martinez are still looking for a home this season with Opening Day just one week away.
Frustration over the current state of affairs has MLB Players Association (MLBPA) representatives considering a vote to remove Tony Clark from his executive director role, via Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Some club player reps are said to be taking informal polls within their clubhouses on Clark’s future already, two people briefed on the votes said Wednesday night.
There is an increased desire to force out Clark after he ignored players’ requests to replace Bruce Meyer with Harry Marino as executive deputy director:
A group of players and agents who want a new direction at the union on Monday night asked Clark to remove Meyer — the third time that request was made recently, one person briefed on the discussions said. Their complaints are not related only to collective bargaining, but to how the union is generally run, from concerns about a lack of communication to poor vision and questionable budgeting. Some players seek an audit of the union’s spending.
Marino previously worked alongside Meyer to hammer out the first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for Minor League players. It was ratified last year when Minor Leaguers unionized and joined the MLBPA.
As noted by Drellich and Rosenthal, MLB players are concerned about a wide range of matters that go beyond collective bargaining. They are also frustrated with a lack of communication from the leaders of the union and have questioned whether their player dues are being put to good use.
Meyer originally joined the MLBPA in 2018 and has more than three decades of experience working with unions for other major sports leagues. Clark has not made a decision on Meyer’s future, but something will have to give as players seem adamant about changes being made at the top.
Tony Clark signed five-year contract extension with MLBPA in 2022
If Clark is removed from his role as MLBPA executive director, it would come less than two years after he signed a five-year contract extension to remain in the position.
Clark took over the job in December 2013 and helped negotiate two CBAs on behalf of the MLBPA.
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