Rule changes, work stoppage, Pitch Clock, New Uniforms, Automated Balls + Strikes, Manfred Salary Cap, Harper says GTFO, realignment, Gambling?

[kalinecountry]

'I'm not even not in the top 28. I'm not in the top 29': MLB managers on rule changes, clutch players and each other

With all 30 skippers in one place at last week's winter meetings, we asked for their thoughts on the state of the game and more.

www.espn.com

MLB managers survey: Skippers on rules, players, each other.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

Sources: Main Street misses Cardinals payment, will shutter if it cannot sell to DAZN

Main Street Sports Group has missed a December payment to the St. Louis Cardinals as it continues to pursue a last-ditch sale to DAZN, and sources told SBJ late Saturday that if the DAZN purchase does not close by January, Main Street will wind down and dissolve its business at the end of this year.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

Main Street misses Cardinals payment, will shutter if it cannot sell to DAZN.
Detroit teams here.
SportsBusinessJournal

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.mlb.com/news/important-dates-ahead-of-2026-mlb-season

With February comes baseball! Here's what to look forward to.
MLB.com

 

[kalinecountry]

NBC hires Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo, Joey Votto as analysts

Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto have been hired as analysts by NBC when it returns to broadcasting Major League Baseball this season.

www.espn.com

NBC hires Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo, Joey Votto as analysts.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

MLB owners vote in favor of enforcing rule to curb pitch stealing

MLB base coaches will have to remain in their respective coaches' boxes until the pitch is thrown after owners voted to enforce the rule.

www.espn.com

MLB owners vote in favor of enforcing rule to curb pitch stealing.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

MLB Sent Memo to Players in August About Kalshi, Polymarket

In a letter to players obtained by FOS, the league warned that its rules against gambling on baseball also apply to prediction markets.

frontofficesports.com

MLB Sent Memo Warning Players About Prediction Markets.
In a letter to players obtained by FOS, the league warned that its rules against gambling on baseball also apply to prediction markets.
FrontOfficeSports

 

[kalinecountry]

MLB details the ABS challenge system coming in 2026

After years of minor league testing, ABS challenges are getting called up to the majors.

www.blessyouboys.com

MLB details the ABS challenge system coming in 2026.
After years of minor league testing, ABS challenges are getting called up to the majors.
BYBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

Tony Clark plans to resign as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, sources tell DVNJr. and me. Clark’s resignation comes in the wake of the Eastern District of New York’s investigation into alleged financial improprieties at the union.
Jeff Passan

A lot of chatter about the MLBPA being neutered in the wake of Tony Clark resigning. I see this the other way around. If the players elect Bruce Meyer as interim exec director, expect the PA’s position to be more as it was during Don Fehr and Marvin Miller’s tenures. Anyone that remembers how labor negotiations went between Meyer and Dan Halem know it was a dog fight. The 2020 negotiations for a shortened season became so heated that Manfred and Clark met separately in Phoenix to try and break the impasse. Now, we have a situation in which Meyer could ultimately be the one to get a deal across the finish line with Manfred. Meyer is old-school union and is going to bare knuckle any fight around talk of a cap. He’s a no bullshit kind of guy.
Maury Brown

 

[kalinecountry]

MLBPA director Tony Clark to resign, per report

This is going to put the union in a tricky spot per the next CBA negotiations.

www.blessyouboys.com

MLBPA director Tony Clark to resigns.
This is going to put the union in a tricky spot per the next CBA negotiations.
BYBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

Tarik Skubal calms baseball fans' fears amid Tony Clark's resignation from MLBPA

Tarik Skubal weighed in on Tony Clark's MLBPA resignation and the future of CBA negotiations.

motorcitybengals.com

Tarik Skubal calms baseball fans' fears amid Tony Clark's resignation from MLBPA.
Do we believe him, though?
MCBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/other/2026/02/17/mlb-players-association-chief-tony-clark-stepping-down-ahead-of-upcoming-labor-war/88716723007/

MLBPA chief Tony Clark stepping down ahead of upcoming labor war.
Detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

Clark's 'unforeseen' MLBPA exit won't hurt CBA plan, exec says

The sudden resignation of MLBPA executive director Tony Clark won't weaken or distract the players' association as it prepares for negotiations on a new CBA, deputy executive director Bruce Meyer says.

www.espn.com

Clark's 'unforeseen' MLBPA exit won't hurt CBA plan, exec says.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

UNION DRAMA MAY CHANGE THE KARMA

by Holly Horning Who knew that the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) would prove to be troublesome before the end of the 2026 season? You may be asking why we should even care.…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

UNION DRAMA MAY CHANGE THE KARMA.
Totally Tigers

 

[kalinecountry]

How the MLBPA can rebuild after Tony Clark scandal

With labor negotiations ahead, losing the union president is a shock. But the MLBPA has an opportunity to come out of this stronger.

www.espn.com

How the MLBPA can rebuild after Tony Clark scandal.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

MLBPA Player Board appoints Bruce Meyer as Interim Executive Director, Matt Nussbaum as Interim Deputy Executive Director.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HBe6NMUbUAATMCH?format=jpg&name=medium

 

[kalinecountry]

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

by Holly Horning Yesterday’s blog covered the news that the head of MLBPA, Tony Clark, resigned over having an inappropriate affair. However, he has also been under federal investigatio…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Yesterday’s blog covered the news that the head of MLBPA, Tony Clark, resigned over having an inappropriate affair. However, he has also been under federal investigation since October for a number of issues including financial misuse. His #2, Bruce Meyer, is now the interim head.
While few generally are interested in the union side of baseball, these reports are particularly newsworthy given the expectation that a lockout of significant length will happen at the end of the year.
For the most part, the media has been focused on Clark’s resignation and not on the situations his departure will create. This is where I come in because it’s important to dig below the surface and analyze what else may be happening.
The change in leadership within the union will create a ripple effect, impacting players, teams and fans. Things are about to get more complicated and I’ve got the 5 biggest issues that will raise their heads sooner rather than later.

 

[kalinecountry]

New MLBPA chief Meyer 'passionate' in backing player rights

New MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer says he is dedicated to "protecting and advancing player rights" ahead of negotiations with the league on a new CBA.

www.espn.com

New MLBPA chief Meyer 'passionate' in backing player rights.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2026/02/23/detroit-tigers-slowly-starting-to-get-handle-on-abs-challenge-system/88819033007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11xx34p119750l004450c119750v11xx34d--32--b--32--&gca-ft=61&gca-ds=sophi

Tigers are slowly starting to get a handle on ABS challenge system. Paywall.
Detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

Bruce Meyer, the interim executive director of the MLB Players Association, after meeting with Tigers players in spring training:
Lockout when CBA expires? "Almost guaranteed."
Salary cap? "It's bad for players."

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HCWEAGhX0AEZkIW?format=jpg&name=medium

 

[kalinecountry]

SATURDAY SURVEY

MLB has just introduced the Automated Ball Strike system (ABS) which uses technology to determine whether pitches are in the strike zone. Human umpires will still make the initial calls but teams w…

totallytigers.wordpress.com

SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

MLB has just introduced the Automated Ball Strike system (ABS) which uses technology to determine whether pitches are in the strike zone.
Human umpires will still make the initial calls but teams will be given a limited challenge system. The players may only challenge while managers cannot.
The ABS system was developed to answer fans’ concerns about inaccurate umpire calls that can determine the outcome of a game. It is expected to help resolve the most obvious and incorrect calls.
But is this a good idea to allow technology to start taking over more of the game? Will it take some of the spirit and spontenaity out of the game? It may end up eliminating the infamous manager vs umpire arguments.
What do you think? Is the ABS system a good idea?

Do you like the concept of the ABS system?

1. Yes, anything that will make umpiring calls more accurate.

2. No, it will diminish the soul and spontaneity of the game.

VOTE