Players Union Alleges MLB Collusion Against Free Agents

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is alleging that during the baseball winter General Managers' meetings, the GM's may have violated baseballs basic agreement - the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLBPA - by sharing information, including amounts of money set aside for individual free agents. MLB's executive vice-president of labor relations and human resources, Robert Manfred, contends that no information about players was shared and that what occurred was a basic discussion of "needs" and "goals" of the clubs comprising baseball's major leagues. These discussions were reportedly around positions, not players, although several teams did apparently mention specific players they may be interested in dealing.

Of specific interest to the union is one specific free agent - Alex Rodriguez - who opted out of the remaining years of his $252 Million contract with the Yankees, of which $72 Million remained, to seek free agency. During the course of the winter meetings, several teams have publicly downplayed or denied interest in signing Rodriguez and the union contends this information sharing has changed the market for this player. For it's part, the union did not specifically name Rodriguez, instead referring only to "at least one player," but did state their concern about the Commissioner attempting to influence the potential market which would be collusion.

During the 1980's, in the aftermath of the 1975 arbitration award granting players free agency and subsequent strike, the players' association filed three grievances against MLB around collusion to suppress free agent salaries. These grievances are commonly referred to as "Collusion I," "Collusion II," and "Collusion III."