There are two sides to the MLB right now, including the disagreement between players and team owners on a 2020 regular season and draft picks/free agents being added to the minor-league system. Recently for the New York Yankees, they signed a bevy of undrafted free agent players and landed a few talented prospects in the draft. One of them was Elijah Dunham from Indiana.
Dunham forwent his final year of college eligibility to sign with the Yankees. He stated, according to the IndyStar:
“I thought for an undrafted free agent, this was a lot of effort,” Dunham told the Courier & Press on Wednesday. “I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity of being a Yankee.â€
“The main reason for me, being an older kid, the numbers just didn’t really add up for 23-year-olds getting drafted — the probability of making the MLB is lower than a 22-year-old getting into a pro system,” he said. “Their chance to make it to the MLB is a lot higher than waiting another year.”
The Pittsburgh Pirates actually drafted Dunham in his sophomore season in the 40th round, but since this year was much different and only had five rounds, he was inevitably left behind. At 22 years old, his goal was to go pro regardless, and joining the Yankees gives him a goal to work toward. In his junior year, he hit .390 with 11 walks, eight strikeouts, and 11 runs batted in. If the season hadn’t been cut short, scouts believe he would have ranked higher on their list of prospects.
In other news: New York Yankees’ Randy Levine takes shot at Scott Boras
Who is the MLB and MLB PA negotiating financials regarding a potential season this year, super-agent Scott Boras has reportedly gotten in the middle of things.
“I happen to like Scott Boras. I’ve done a lot of business with him. He’s very smart,†Levine told The Post. “I haven’t talked to him on this matter, but I’m really disappointed because I’m hearing from everywhere — on both sides of this matter — that he is trying to impede this thing.â€
Trevor Bauer stated recently that Boras had been meddling in player-affairs.
“Hearing a LOT of rumors about a certain player agent meddling in MLBPA affairs. If true — and at this point, these are only rumors — I have one thing to say… Scott Boras, rep your clients however you want to, but keep your damn personal agenda out of union business.â€
Levine had some advice for the way the two sides approach things, stating:
“Now what has to happen is the players have to agree with owners on the health and safety protocols. … What I would suggest that the clubs do is, we have a remedy [to unilaterally implement the schedule at prorated pay]. ‘We’ve sent you all this other stuff, let’s figure this out. I’ll publish a schedule, and let’s play.’