MLB likens Minor League players to unpaid interns in court arguments

With little movement coming out of the league’s latest proposal to the MLBPA – leaving players ‘unimpressed’ – the last thing we need is another report that’s likely to cause strife between the two sides. But that’s exactly what we got, courtesy of MLB putting its foot in its mouth yet again.

There’s an ongoing lawsuit that will head to trial this summer over whether or not Minor League players have to be paid during spring training. We know the major – and frankly, disturbing – issues related to minor league pay during the season. But throw in the fact they have to quit their other jobs when at camp each spring and it’s just a slap in the face.

And now that the lawyer MLB hired in the case has argued that those players are simply ‘trainees’ who actually receive their ‘payment’ in the form of valuable training and instruction. That’s all fine and dandy, but last I checked that time on the diamond or in the weight room won’t put food on the table or keep the lights on.

It’s important to note that Minor League players are not part of the MLBPA – and, thus, operate in a sphere well outside what’s being discussed in the ongoing CBA talks. But that doesn’t meant that the union is going to love this approach by the league, especially when several of the key economic tenants they’re fighting for in talks include pay for players early in the career when they’re not yet arbitration-eligible.

MLB need to step back and re-align its priorities moving forward

MLB has had absolutely no issue talking about the ‘kids’ in recent years – a wave of generational talent headlined by players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. But, apparently, until you’re in a big league uniform and become a valuable marketing commodity, you have very little value.

It’s a pretty despicable approach from the league, which hardly comes as a shock these days. This lawsuit just reaffirms how a lot of folks feel about MLB leadership, which continues to shoot itself in the foot at literally every possible turn. And these folks hold the future of our game in their hands – lovely.