MLB players have organized their own spring training for free agents who remain unsigned during an unusually slow offseason, but it’s unclear how those players are supposed to showcase their talents to teams.
The MLBPA-sanctioned training camp began workouts Wednesday at IMG Academy in Florida, and at least one team sent a scout to take a look at some of the players. That scout was escorted off the premises.
From a club executive: “A special assistant to the General Manager was asked to leave the workout (of unsigned free agents) today at IMG. Was escorted out. I cannot believe the players wouldn't want scouts at their workout to see who's in shape.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2018
Rosenthal was later told that the general training sessions — which were attended by 30 free agents on Wednesday — are not open to the public. If teams want to see a specific player, they will have to set up a private workout.
Union source: General training sessions not open to public. Person who attempted to gain access was told if he had interest in a particular player, a private workout could be arranged. As one free agent put it, “Spring training for all the unsigned guys isn’t a tryout camp.” https://t.co/whBVJMJNit
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2018
Tension is obviously extremely high between teams and players at the moment, with the latter accusing the former of collusion to keep salary numbers lower. The free agent training camp is more about making a point to MLB teams that free agent players don’t need them to stay in shape — not to showcase the skills that they believe have already proven they are worthy of market value deals.
We know at least some of the top free agents on the market will not be attending the camp, and there’s a chance more dominos could fall now that Yu Darvish has inked a deal with the Cubs. Still, MLB scouts apparently aren’t going to be able to use the camp to gauge what certain players are worth.
