For the second consecutive year, MLB teams seem to be taking somewhat of a stand against shelling out massive contracts for the game’s biggest stars. Evan Longoria is the latest to speak out about the approach teams have been using in free agency.
With Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and other star players seemingly not all those close to signing deals, Longoria took to Instagram on Friday to blast the way teams have used analytical tools to “devalue players.” He included photos of Machado, Harper, Dallas Keuechel and Craig Kimbrel.
“We are less then a month from the start of spring and once again some of our games biggest starts remain unsigned. Such a shame,” Longoria wrote. “It’s seems every day now someone is making up a new analytical tool to devalue players, especially free agents. As fans, why should “value” for your team even be a consideration? It’s not your money, it’s money that players have worked their whole lives to get to that level and be deserving of. Bottom line, fans should want the best players and product on the field for their team. And as players we need to stand strong for what we believe we are worth and continue to fight for the rights we have fought for time and time again.”
There have been reports that Harper has been offered somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 million, so you can’t really criticize teams for not giving him the $350 million he is seeking. Still, it seems like there are not many legitimate suitors for the game’s top free agents, as teams are opting to trim payroll and remain below the luxury tax. Machado’s market could be evidence of that, as he has reportedly not been offered anything close to the money he is seeking.
The MLB Players Association unloaded on teams last year for their refusal to spend money, but it does not seem like a whole lot has changed. You can understand why players like Longoria are concerned about the trend.
