Major League Baseball players are growing frustrated with the fact that some teams have begun to report for spring training while the likes of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are unsigned.
Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is certainly one of them, and he called out the “rebuilding” reasoning often cited as “BS” on a tweet on Monday.
100 or so free agents left unsigned. System is broken. They blame “rebuilding” but that’s BS. You’re telling me you couldn’t sign Bryce or Manny for 10 years and go from there? Seems like a good place to start a rebuild to me. 26-36 is a great performance window too.
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 11, 2019
Verlander took on a few fans who disputed his points as well.
So then where does the money go if the players (who drive the ticket sales, tv contracts, jersey sales, etc) don’t get it?? https://t.co/LjdXdFNu1B
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 11, 2019
Sure, but you don’t see the tanking teams with super low payrolls dropping ticket prices dramatically do you? https://t.co/j0IaxdxAFp
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 11, 2019
Everything Verlander says makes sense. Few teams are trying to spend money and compete right now, even though revenues are at an all-time high. Understandably, that does not sit well with players.
Verlander has always been pretty outspoken about issues he sees within the game. He’ll likely be quite vocal as the problem continues with potential labor negotiations looming when the current CBA expires after 2021.
