The Athletic: In extended spring training, minor leaguers lament lack of pay: ‘Just a mess’

[Lou]

Just now, Stradling said:

Correct, but if you didn’t read it, they spend money to buy a loaf of bread and ham to make multiple ham sandwiches.

Oh, the horror! 

That's what everyone does. 

[eligrba]

2 minutes ago, Lou said:

I think all players should be paid for playing. 

At the very least, Congress needs to remove MLB's exemption for paying minimum wage.  I actually don't know what the players get for being at extended spring training.  I am guessing marginal players are probably mostly impacted.

[eligrba]

16 minutes ago, CaliAngel said:

Not the same article but pretty sure this says about the same thing, and it's not paywalled:

https://www.audacy.com/national/sports/players-compare-extended-spring-training-to-hunger-games

“When we look at the demographics of the players on extended spring training rosters, whether that be racial, educational or otherwise, it’s clear that MLB teams are taking advantage of a particularly precariously positioned group of players by not paying extended spring training salaries, and that is very problematic,” said Marino, horrified at MLB’s treatment of Latin players, many of whom barely speak English. “There’s absolutely no excuse for these five teams to continue to refuse to pay their lowest-paid employees for months of work.”

I think we should give MLB and its owners a break, after all they support BLM, amirite?

Does anyone know the rationale for not paying players on extended spring training rosters?  Who are players on the extended spring training rosters?  Are they prospects or invitees?

[eligrba]

7 minutes ago, Lou said:

Oh, the horror! 

That's what everyone does. 

Sometimes I use a tortilla instead of bread and make a ham wrap.  Does that count?

[Stradling]

2 minutes ago, eligrba said:

At the very least, Congress needs to remove MLB's exemption for paying minimum wage.  I actually don't know what the players get for being at extended spring training.  I am guessing marginal players are probably mostly impacted.

The article is written that some players are getting $20 a day plus a place to stay.  They seem to get fed at the ball park as well.  I could be mistaken, but it feels like extended spring training is almost a holding ground for guys that come over from other countries, or guys that are in limbo between injury and healthy enough to play.  It also seems that we are reading more about extended spring training since they eliminated minor league teams, which could mean that putting guys in extended spring training is how they are keeping about the same overall roster size as before when they had more teams.  

[Stradling]

Just now, eligrba said:

Sometimes I use a tortilla instead of bread and make a ham wrap.  Does that count?

I think either way if you complain or mention it that means you are entitled to Lou.  

[Lou]

Just now, Stradling said:

I think either way if you complain or mention it that means you are entitled to Lou.  

What the hell are you talking about? I said no such thing. 

[eligrba]

1 minute ago, Stradling said:

I think either way if you complain or mention it that means you are entitled to Lou.  

[Lou]

Just now, eligrba said:

[Stradling]

3 minutes ago, Lou said:

What the hell are you talking about? I said no such thing. 

You have a well documented opinion of such things at least as it relates to minor league baseball players.  I assumed (incorrectly) that that opinion doesn’t apply to some other facets of life.

[Lou]

3 minutes ago, Stradling said:

You have a well documented opinion of such things at least as it relates to minor league baseball players.  I assumed (incorrectly) that that opinion doesn’t apply to some other facets of life.

My opinion is that if you get paid a certain amount you should do whatever you can to live within those means. That's what everyone should aspire to do, not just minor leaguers. 

If you are getting 2 meals a day provided plus $20/day, you probably shouldn't be ordering $25 from UberEats every day. 

It's common sense. 

[CaliAngel]

I think we can all agree these players deserve to get more than they're currently receiving.

I don't know how much these guys should be getting paid because I don't know how much time they're actually working and/or training, but I feel like at least $100/day or $20/hr would be a fair wage. And I don't think that's asking too much from the owners for players that will potentially be moving up through the system for an organization. Reading stuff like this article makes me sick. 

That being said, I have been between jobs before living on a budget and there are ways to get by but you have to make some sacrifices. Rice, beans, tortillas, cheese, meat. Maybe cheap fast food but rarely. Good bye soda, hello water. Even today, Sam's club has a 2 pound pack of variety cheese for $10, and 36oz of charcuterie meat for $12 that could probably last me a week if need be. 

Even now having a job and plenty of money, I would be damned to flush $20-$25 down the toilet for a meal from stupid UberEats or DoorDash and I don't have any sympathy for anyone that does. The entitlement on display when people bitch and moan about how much it costs is baffling. Go get your food on your own like a freaking adult. 

 

[Blarg]

49 minutes ago, Lou said:

Entitled is ordering UberEats every day. 

@Taylor? 

[Angel Oracle]

1 hour ago, Lou said:

Entitled is ordering UberEats every day. 

From Ruth Chris

[Taylor]

7 hours ago, Blarg said:

@Taylor? 

Huh? I used DoorDash a few times after the baby was born.

[tdawg87]

8 hours ago, Lou said:

My opinion is that if you get paid a certain amount you should do whatever you can to live within those means. That's what everyone should aspire to do, not just minor leaguers. 

If you are getting 2 meals a day provided plus $20/day, you probably shouldn't be ordering $25 from UberEats every day. 

It's common sense. 

It's just that easy!

[Taylor]

Lou, how have you dealt with a situation in your life when you had less money than you felt you needed? Be specific.

 

[Stradling]

I lived within my means

-Lou 

[tdawg87]

I never got to that point because I always used common sense.

-Lou

[Lou]

21 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Lou, how have you dealt with a situation in your life when you had less money than you felt you needed? Be specific.

 

Needed?

Never happened.

[Lou]

8 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

I never got to that point because I always used common sense. lived within my means. 

-Lou

 

[Lou]

51 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

It's just that easy!

It really is. 

I'll be happy to teach you how to budget if you need any help.

[tdawg87]

2 minutes ago, Lou said:

It really is. 

I'll be happy to teach you how to budget if you need any help.

I'm fine thanks. I've done it and still cannot afford rent at this time. 

[Lou]

Just now, tdawg87 said:

I'm fine thanks. I've done it and still cannot afford rent at this time. 

How happy would you be if you received free rent and 2 meals per day? 

Would that make thing easier for you? 

[ten ocho recon scout]

23 hours ago, True Grich said:

You get what you pay for. 

 

22 hours ago, Lou said:

Paywalled