Tony Clark to resign as MLBPA Executive Director
In a surprising development, Tony Clark is expected to resign from his position as the MLBPA’s Executive Director, according to reports on Tuesday morning from The Athletic and ESPN’s Jeff Passan. From The Athletic’s report:
“Clark and the MLBPA were supposed to start their annual tour of spring training camps in Arizona on Tuesday. The first stop, a meeting with the Cleveland Guardians, was canceled, which the team found out from the union at 6 a.m. local time.
“Clark, 53, has headed the union since 2013. Clark and the union have been under federal investigation since last year by the Eastern District of New York regarding using licensing money or equity to enrich themselves.
“The resignation occurs at a time of heightened rhetoric as the owners are expected to lock out the players at the conclusion of this season when the current collective bargaining agreement expires. The owners executed the same tactic after the 2021 season, which shut down the sport for 99 days. The upcoming negotiation could last longer, as owners have become vocal about the necessity for a salary cap, as sports like the NFL, NBA, and NHL use, in the wake of rampant spending by teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.”
Clark has led the MLBPA since 2013. He had a 15-year career in the league from 1995 to 2009. Clark played for six teams, including a seven-year stretch with the Detroit Tigers at the start of his career after being the 2nd overall pick in the 1990 Draft (Chipper Jones went first overall). Clark slashed .262/.339/.485 (112 OPS+) with 233 2B, 251 HR, and an All-Star appearance (2001).
ESPN reported in October that federal investigators were looking into the union and Clark’s relationship with a Florida-based company called Players Way. The union had allegedly paid the company “millions of dollars despite not serving any clear function”. An anonymous whistleblower first brought the concern to federal authorities, accusing Clark of “misusing union funds”.
While many assumed that the investigation was the primary reason for Clark’s abrupt resignation, Jeff Passan and others would report just hours later that he agreed to resign after “an internal union investigation” had discovered an “inappropriate relationship” between Clark and his sister-in-law, who had been hired by the union in 2023.
Regardless of the exact reasons for the move (it may be both issues, frankly), making such a drastic change in the union’s leadership at this point is curious. Early reports suggest that deputy director Bruce Meyer is a favorite to step into the vacated role, at least on an interim basis.
Kris Bryant isn’t expected to (ever) play again, but isn’t ready to retire
Kris Bryant has played in just 170 games in the four seasons since he joined the Rockies on a seven-year, $182 million free agent contract. Recurring injuries have kept the former Rookie of the Year and MVP Award winner off the field (he played in just 11 games last season). He’s been limited when he has been able to play, slashing just .244/.324/.370 (84 OPS+) in 632 PA with the Rockies, with 46 extra-base hits (29 2B, 17 HR).
Bryant arrived at spring training like the other Rockies players this past week, but the team has already moved him to the 60-day IL. Bryant is not expected to get into a game at all this season.
Diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disc disease (a condition that involves the wear and tear of the spine in his lower back), Bryant has been open about the discomfort he feels daily and the lack of success various treatments have resulted in. Despite the lack of any improvement, Bryant tells The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders he isn’t ready to retire and is still “holding out hope” he can play again:
“Any time my feet hit the ground, I feel like I could probably fall over. It’s unfortunate and obviously not how I want this to go. I’m here to figure things out and find out if there is a way to get better.
“Some days it’s hard to grab the toothpaste in front of me. It’s not like that every day, but those days it’s like you just wish you had some type of answer.
“Obviously, I have to [have hope]. Because it’s not just something I’m going to deal with now, I’m going to deal with this the rest of my life. I’ve talked to a lot of people about it. I know a ton of people, not just playing baseball, but people who have terrible backs, too.
“I could never have expected this or seen this coming. And now that I’m dealing with it, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. It’s miserable.”
Samurai Japan sets rotation for World Baseball Classic
Team Japan has set its starting rotation for the opening round of the World Baseball Classic, according to reports by Japanese media.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will work the opening game against Taiwan. The Dodgers right-hander is a pure workhorse, pitching to a 2.49 ERA (167 ERA+) over 173.2 innings last season before adding another 37.1 IP in the postseason. His two seasons in the big leagues have concluded with a pair of championships. Yamamoto started a game and appeared out of the bullpen for Samurai Japan in the 2023 WBC, collecting a win and allowing a pair of earned runs in 7.1 IP with 12 SO.
Yusei Kikuchi will start against Korea. The left-hander led the AL in starts (33) and hits allowed (180) last season for the Angels, while posting a 3.99 ERA (107 ERA+) over 178.1 IP and making his second All-Star Game.
Tomoyuki Sugano will start against Australia. The veteran right-hander was 10-10 with a 4.64 ERA (87 ERA+) in 157.0 IP with the Orioles last season, his first in MLB, before signing with the Rockies as a free agent this offseason.
Hiromi Ito will take the mound against the Czech Republic. The right-hander was 14-8 with a 2.52 ERA in 196.2 IP for the Nippon Ham Fighters last season, his fifth in the NPB. Ito worked out of the bullpen for Samurai Japan during the 2023 WBC (working 2.1 scoreless innings over three appearances).
Injuries impacting Team Korea’s WBC roster
Having already made concessions in assembling its WBC roster to account for injuries to infielders Ha-Seong Kim and Sung-mun Song, Team Korea is facing more trouble on the injury front.
Moon Dong-ju was expected to anchor the team’s rotation, but was left off the roster due to shoulder soreness. The 22-year-old right-hander was 11-5 with a 4.02 ERA in 121.0 IP for the Hanwha Eagles last season. Won Tae-in, who was thought to be the favorite to replace him as Team Korea’s ace, has now withdrawn from the team as well due to an unspecified injury concern (thought to be his shoulder). Won, who turns 26 in April, was 12-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 156.2 IP last year for the Samsung Lions.
Left-hander You Young-chan has been added to the WBC roster to replace Won. The southpaw had a 2.63 ERA in 41.0 IP while collecting 21 saves last season for the LG Twins.
Meanwhile, St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Riley O’Brien has been slowed in spring camp by a calf injury and, according to reports, his participation in the WBC is “still undetermined”. The 31-year-old is expected to take over the Cardinals’ closer duties this season (a role he was expected to potentially fill for Team Korea) after posting a 2.06 ERA (200 ERA+) in 48.0 IP last year.
LSU’s 300-pound first baseman steals second
Nick Yorke (6’2”, 210 pounds) has appeared in just 33 games in the majors (all with Pittsburgh over the last two seasons) since Boston selected him 17th overall in the 2020 Draft out of high school. The second baseman and corner outfielder has hit .226/.272/.340 in 114 PA but is a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts.
Zach Yorke (also 6’2”, but 295 pounds) has developed into a much different hitter than his big brother. Zach hit .328/.434/.546 with 32 HR over the last three seasons with Grand Canyon University before transferring to LSU for his senior season. The burly first baseman has never attempted to steal a base before Sunday’s game against Kent State, successfully swiping second in the third inning. (highlight via Reddit).
More words ….
Tuesday marked the five-year anniversary of the Padres' signing of Fernando Tatis Jr. to a massive contract extension.
The White Sox brought in some infield depth (and baseball pedigree) by signing Darren Baker, son of legendary manager Dusty Baker, on a minor league contract.
Around the sport ….
Twins right-hander Pablo López is likely facing Tommy John surgery after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session on Monday. López is seeking a second opinion before any further action is taken, but surgery will surely keep him out for the entire season. López is due $21.75 million this season (and next). The injury not only removes him from the top of the Twins’ rotation but also eliminates any chance the team is able to trade him to help further their rebuild.