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Triple-A Nashville Sounds working to host showcase games for free agents

Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Free-agent baseball players looking for work this summer could soon be able to show off their skills in the Music City.

The Triple-A Nashville Sounds are working on plans to host a series of summer games for professional free agents at First Horizon Park, Sounds general manager Adam Nuse told Josh Norris of Baseball America.

Assuming the city of Nashville approves the plan, games will begin on July 23 - Major League Baseball's Opening Day - and run for about 10 weeks.

The Sounds will pay all participating players $400 a week, matching the weekly stipend minor-league players are receiving from MLB teams during the pandemic stoppage. MLB is also expected to work with the Sounds to help facilitate the games, according to Norris.

The team's plan would see players divided into two teams, with games played from Thursday to Sunday each week. If the city allows, tickets will be sold for up to 25% of the stadium's capacity.

Interestingly, Nuse said extra-inning games will be decided by home run derbies.

The Sounds normally play in the Pacific Coast League as the Texas Rangers' top affiliate. Nuse said the Rangers are not directly involved in this venture.

MLB teams released several hundred minor leaguers in June, largely due to the pandemic leaving the minor-league seasons in limbo. Most teams agreed to continue paying stipends until at least the end of June to minor leaguers who remained under contract.

Though no official announcement has been made, minor leagues are not expected to stage seasons in 2020. MLB teams will designate 60 eligible players for the shortened major-league season and may also bring small taxi squads on road trips.

In addition to minor-league free agents looking for work, several big-league free agents - including former All-Stars Yasiel Puig and Russell Martin - remain unsigned.

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