The fate of Minor League Baseball is in jeopardy

At a time when the world is on pause, major changes will be coming to baseball. Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) negotiators met on Wednesday, April 22, with multiple sources from the conference reporting that MiLB will agree with MLB to cut the 160 minor league teams to 120. Two independent teams will also be added to affiliated ball, the St. Paul Saints and Sugar Land Skeeters, if the deal is finalized.

This proposal would eliminate 42 teams, which would affect thousands of players all across the country. The cut could see the demise of four Double A teams, four High A teams, six Low A teams, 17 rookie ball teams and 11 short-season teams.

Major League Baseball hopes that these cuts will improve the facilities of more Minor League teams, which could also benefit the development of players more quickly. NBC Sports reported, “This deal will include the reorganization of leagues and even levels in an effort bring the most geographic cohesion.”

The deal will reorganize certain leagues so that each Major League affiliate has closer geographical teams. Most baseball fans acknowledge the fact that travel and other expenses are mostly paid by minor leaguers themselves, so if the teams within the league are closer this could cut the cost of expenses. Geography also correlates to which Minor League team is affiliated with Major League teams. It has been reported that rookie ball teams will instead proceed in teams’ spring training facilities rather than a league.

Unfortunately, for thousands of minor league baseball players across the nation, this proposed deal could be finalized during a time when economic issues will only worsen because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MiLB and MLB released this joint statement in response to the possible agreement:

"The respective negotiating teams of Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball held a constructive meeting on Wednesday. The parties are continuing their discussions, with the goal of concluding a mutually beneficial long-term agreement in the near future.”

The Minor League system also took another hit recently after the MLB announced that the 2020 Draft will be reduced to five rounds instead of the original 40 rounds seen in previous drafts. Shin-Soo Choo offered to help the minor leaguers that are currently facing economic hardship by donating $1,000 to every minor leaguer in the Texas Rangers’ organization.

Could this create a trend of more Major League ballplayers coming out to help those in the Minor League system? Only time will tell.

Photo courtesy of Al Yellon