MLB and the Major League Players Association (MLBPA) are continuing to negotiate the structure of a possible 2020 season. The aim is to be able to begin the season in early July, assuming the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic allows that to happen. Right now, the matter of player compensation is the biggest sticking point, and negotiations may be taking a turn for the contentious.
How contentious? It seems that two figures who should be on the same side are perhaps in conflict. Here's what Reds right-hander Trevor Bauer on Tuesday tweeted about super-agent Scott Boras:
Bauer tweets:
"Hearing a LOT of rumors about a certain player agent meddling in MLBPA affairs. If true — and at this point, these are only rumors — I have one thing to say... Scott Boras, rep your clients however you want to, but keep your damn personal agenda out of union business."
Bauer then went on to tag Boras' Twitter account in order to call his attention to the remarks.
Bauer's comments are light on specifics and by his own admission are prompted by rumors, so we can only guess as to what's agitated him. The owners' most recent proposal, which called for higher-paid players to give up a higher percentage of their income in 2020, certainly has the potential to divide union membership, so perhaps that's at work. As well, the MLBPA has long been willing to negotiate away the rights of non-members (i.e., draftees and international free agents) for the benefit of members. Perhaps that's another source of tension when it comes to agents and established players like Bauer. This, of course, is all speculation.
Boras has been outspoken during these negotiations, and there's no doubt that someone of his power and resources can influence the process if he chooses to do so. Again, Boras as an agent and Bauer as a player and union member should have aligned goals right now, but something about Boras' rumored "personal agenda" has put them at cross purposes, at least for the moment.