NEW YORK -- The war of words between MLB and the MLB Players Association regarding the freezing cold free agent market isn't about to end anytime soon.
First, it was CAA's Brodie Van Wagenen who alleged collusion on the part of owners and called for a boycott of spring training. hen it was MLBPA president Tony Clark, asserting a "breach of trust" between players and owners. All of this led to an angry commisioner Rob Manfred denying any wrongdoing or payroll decline, despite evidence to the contrary.
If there's any wrongdoing, it's on the part of the players it's because they're the ones who are sitting on multi-year deals, holding out hope for longer ones, Manfred asserted.
Does Frazier mean the end of Wright?
The Mets seem to be doing their best to end this standoff, but we'll never know if they were able to land players like Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier because of this slow market or not. Both salaries feel a little light, which is exactly how the Mets like their salaries. Van Wagenen, his agent and the representative for Mets' teammates Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Yoenis Cespedes, made it clear that he was ready to sign a deal but it also had to be in a place where he felt he could win.
Frazier made it clear that this saga isn't just tough on baseball, it's tough on the players.
"Let's not sugarcoat it, it was frustrating," he said Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field during his introductory press conference. "It was a long process but it worked out well. There's a lot of free agents out here and we're definitely thinking about those guys for sure. It's one of those things that we have to be patient, the market is where it is right now."
But some players are finding it hard to stay patient. Agents have told players seeking minor league deals that they can't find them work until the big names come off the board and the big names feel as though they're in the dark.
The Mets may be rumored to be in the mix for the services of right-hander Alex Cobb, but a source close to Cobb said he isn't close to a deal anywhere.
"Players are paying attention to this offseason and players are emotional right now," Van Wagenen said. "I think the conversation is happening both behind the scenes and out in front, and I think that's an important conversation. I think the game has enjoyed too much prosperity for both sides to not get along, and I think everyone is hopeful that we will be able to going forward."
Maybe the system is broken. Players are underpaid in their 20s only to be overpaid in their 30s when their production decreases. Owners don't want to pay for the decrease and are now devaluing them after the age of 30. Maybe there is a solution on the horizon or maybe there is just simply compromise.
Whatever it is, Van Wagenen believes this is the first step to a resulotion, but that resolution may take a battle.
"I think questions are being asked," Van Wagenen said. "And as those questions are being answered we'll know a lot more about what the future looks like."
Abbey Mastracco may be reached at amastracco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @abbeymastracco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.