USA Today Sports spoke to Kenley Jansen about the state of the free agent market this offseason, in which he had a very interesting response to what is occurring.
His response: “Maybe we need to go on strike, to be honest with you.”
That is a response that could have significant ramifications for the league. In 2021, the collective bargaining agreement will expire and among things to be discussed heavily, the 2017-2018 free agency period will certainly top the list.
Many players this offseason have pointed to collusion among MLB organizations this offseason. While it is possible, it will be very difficult for them to prove.
However, this is not the first time this has happened in the league as the owners were accused and proven to be doing the same thing back in the 1980s.
Jansen also touched on how the Marlins have just given up and traded away outfield from 2017, which has completely depressed the market for outfielders in free agency. He had this to say on the matter:
That is something we might have to address, so you don’t have a lot of Miami Marlins doing this. Maybe it’s an adjustment for us, as the players’ union.”
Jansen was not subject to the same issues as many of these free agents last offseason, as he inked a very lucrative five-year, $80 million contract, which actually only made him the second-highest paid reliever in his free agent class with Aroldis Chapman receiving a record five-year, $86 million contract.
The market has just not progressed to that extent this offseason, though, which has left many of the big names on the market among over 100 free agents left on the board with two weeks until Spring Training.
