MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark has made it clear that he'd like both sides -- the players' union and MLB -- to move forward with changes to the Joint Drug Agreement (JDA) between them, and is willing to disturb labor peace to do what's best for the players, according to a series of statements made by Clark to Fox Sports 1 and MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
MLBPA’s Tony Clark prioritizes game’s ‘best interests’ over labor peace
According to statements by MLBPA executive director, it appears that making changes to the Joint Drug Agreement is a top priority, ranking above even labor peace.
Patrick McDermott
In the statements, made by Clark during a discussion with Morosi on a variety topics, it’s clear that he has chosen to echo the sentiments of former MLBPA leader, the late Michael Weiner. Clark, who is the first former player to head what is consider by many to be the most powerful union in the country, was very direct in his desire to follow in his predecessor’s extremely well-respected footsteps, “Michael Weiner always said labor peace is not the goal. An agreement in best interest of game, players and management is always the goal.”
These statements are also part of a proactive month for the former first baseman, who took over the beloved Weiner. He's made it clear that he, and the MLBPA, are monitoring closely monitoring situations as disparate as the Phillies turning in pitching prospect Ben Wetzler to the NCAA and the disproportionate spending habits of the Mets. And he's also made getting changes in the JDA a top priority along with possibly changing the draft-pick compensation structure that has left several key free agents waiting to be signed.
Must Reads
According to Morosi, Clark would like to see changes made to the JDA "sooner rather than later", but despite the offseason issues discussed above, that the relationship between the two sides is "Very respectful, very professional, very good. We're fine." Though, as the time before Opening rapidly dwindles without players like Kendrys Morales, Ervin Santana or Stephen Drew on major league rosters, it's clear that they still have a lot of work to do something Clark is acutely aware of.
In fact, it's something he brought up publicly just a few weeks ago in a meeting with the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, 'We believe it's in everyone's best interests that the teams who want the best players have an opportunity to access those best players. The idea that there is a climate right now that doesn't appear to afford everybody an opportunity to do so for whatever reason is a concern. How we change that going forward, we'll have to see.''
But he’s not just following in the footsteps of Weiner. Needless to say, while he’s the head of a major union, he’s also a baseball player, and the recent ruling regarding home plate collisions is something that has piqued his interest, especially on the lower levels. According to Morosi, Clark simply responded “That’s a good question” when asked about implementation of the rule throughout baseball, which was interpreted by Morosi as Clark making it clear that “If MLB wants a more restrictive collision rule, they can implement and teach in minors without MLBPA approval.”
So, while the reasons behind his ascension to the position couldn’t be less pleasant, it appears that the MLBPA may have found a worthy replacement for one of its most well-liked leaders.
See More:
