MLB threatens to drop MiLB affiliation as tensions rise in negotiations
Negotiations between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball aren't going smoothly.
On Friday night, MiLB released a statement criticizing MLB for how it's handling this round of Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) negotiations, as Josh Norris of Baseball America outlined.
Later on Friday, MLB fired back, threatening to sever ties with MiLB entirely, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
"If the National Association (of Minor League Clubs) has an interest in an agreement with Major League Baseball, it must address the very significant issues with the current system at the bargaining table," the statement read.
"Otherwise, MLB clubs will be free to affiliate with any minor-league team or potential team in the United States, including independent league teams and cities which are not permitted to compete for an affiliate under the current agreement."
That agreement is set to expire following the 2020 season, and MLB's proposal to cut 42 teams from the minor leagues is fueling tensions between the two sides.
Rob Manfred recently criticized owners for going public with their concerns, prompting one owner to critique the commissioner further.
"Rob is attempting to decimate the industry, destroy baseball in communities and eliminate thousands of jobs, and he’s upset that the owners of the teams have gone public with that information in an effort to save their teams," the owner said. "That’s rich."
In addition to minor-league owners, the proposal has drawn the ire of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. In Friday's statement, MLB said that, unlike the minor leagues, it's working to improve baseball.
"MLB has assured every public official who has contacted us that MLB will work diligently to preserve organized baseball in a compelling, fan-friendly format in every American city that currently has an affiliate,” the statement read. “MiLB has not made such a commitment."
MiLB responded with another statement Saturday evening, this time saying that both sides will benefit if the public feuding ends. The minor leagues added that accuracy in the public commentary is "of the utmost importance" and disseminating non-conforming information "serves no proper purpose."
"We sincerely hope that we can move forward with MiLB in the spirit of the excellent partnership we have enjoyed for so many years and reach an agreement on a new Professional Baseball Agreement that is in the best interests of baseball and its future in communities across America," the statement read, according to Michael Silverman of The Boston Globe.