Red Sox Bring Back JBJ Just Before The Player’s Strike!

STRIIIIIKKKE! 

It has been a little more than 25 years since Major League Baseball has seen a work stoppage, a streak that has now ended. Fortunately for the league and its fans, this work stoppage has been enforced in December and not mid-season like the 1994-95 strike that canceled the World Series.

Red Sox working up to the last minute

Just before MLB enforced the work stoppage, the Boston Red Sox were active in making some moves before the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expired. 2018 ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. Is returning to the Red Sox after he was traded for slugging outfielder Hunter Renfroe. JBJ brings back his generational defensive talent to Fenway where he began his career. Earlier in the day the Red Sox resigned relieve Ryan Braiser and signed free agent pitcher James Paxton to a one-year deal with two club options. 

What's the issue? 

At the heart of this work stoppage is the apparent gap in MLB players' salaries. There are some players who feel that the use of analytics in management has caused there to be a large gap in salaries between top tier players and those who are seen as second and third tier players. Another issue in the system is that it currently makes more sense for players to be kept in the minor leagues for several weeks to limit their "Years of Service "which is used to determine when a player becomes eligible for free agency. 

When will we know about next season? 

There is no need to panic just yet, but if we get to February 1 and there is no progress in talks, we could be looking at the 2022 season being disrupted in some form. While there is a disconnect right now between the players union and the owners, the two sides are not being petty. There appears to be some dialogue behind the scenes that leads many to believe we will be watching the Boys of Summer next year. Stay tuned!