Major League Baseball intends to give the players’ association the required one-year advance notice that could allow management to unilaterally change the strike zone, install pitch clocks, and limit trips to the pitcher’s mound starting in 2018.
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement Tuesday after union head Tony Clark said last weekend he did not foresee players agreeing to proposed changes for 2017. Under baseball’s labor contract, management can alter playing rules only with agreement from the union — unless it gives one-year notice. With the one year of notice, management can make changes on its own.
Manfred said he will send a letter to the union in the coming days and plans to continue dialogue with Clark and others in hopes of reaching agreement.
‘‘Unfortunately it now appears that there really won’t be any meaningful change for the 2017 season due to a lack of cooperation from the MLBPA,’’ Manfred said.
‘‘I’ve tried to be clear that our game is fundamentally sound, that it does not need to be fixed as some people have suggested, and I think last season was the kind of demonstration of the potential of our league to captivate the nation and of the game’s unique place in American culture.’’
Yet, he also added: ‘‘I believe it’s a mistake to stick our head in the sand and ignore the fact that our game has changed and continues to change.’’
Manfred said while he prefers an agreement, ‘‘I’m also not willing to walk away.’’ Clark met with Cactus League teams last week, five at a time over Thursday, Friday and Saturday, before departing Monday for Florida to visit each Grapefruit League club — and proposed rules changes were a topic.
‘‘I have great respect for the labor relations process, and I have a pretty good track record for getting things done with the MLBPA,’’ Manfred added. ‘‘I have to admit, however, that I am disappointed that we could not even get the MLBPA to agree to modest rule changes like limits on trips to the mound that have little effect on the competitive character of the game.’’
Clark saw talks differently.
‘‘Unless your definition of ‘cooperation’ is blanket approval, I don’t agree that we’ve failed to cooperate with the commissioner’s office on these issues,’’ he wrote in an e-mail to the Associated Press. ‘‘Two years ago we negotiated pace of play protocols that had an immediate and positive impact. Last year we took a step backward in some ways, and this offseason we’ve been in regular contact with MLB and with our members to get a better handle on why that happened. I would be surprised if those discussions with MLB don’t continue, notwithstanding today’s comments about implementation.’’
Clark added ‘‘my understanding is that MLB wants to continue with the replay changes [2-minute limit] and the no-pitch intentional walks and the pace of game warning/fine adjustments.’’
Manfred said he didn’t want to share specifics of his priorities for alterations.
‘‘There’s a variety of changes that can be undertaken,’’ Manfred said. ‘‘I’m committed to the idea that we have a set of proposals out there and we continue to discuss those proposals in private.’’
MLB has studied whether to restore the lower edge of the strike zone from just beneath the kneecap to its pre-1996 level — at the top of the kneecap. Management would like to install 20-second pitch clocks in an attempt to speed the pace of play — they have been used at Triple A and Double A for the past two seasons.
Nationals land Wieters
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with Matt Wieters on a two-year deal, one that allows the 30-year-old catcher to opt out after this season and hit free agency again next winter, and therefore amounts to a one-year deal with the possibility for a second. The deal is not official, as it is pending a physical, but would include $5 million in deferred money.
Wieters will get $10.5 million for one year with the potential for $21 million over two, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The defending NL East champion Nationals had opened spring training — the first official full-squad workout was Sunday — with Derek Norris, who batted .186 for the San Diego Padres last season, penciled in as their starting catcher. Wilson Ramos, an All-Star in 2016, left Washington as a free agent, signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Wieters had Tommy John surgery in 2014, but played in at least 130 games in every season leading up to the procedure. Last year, in his first full season back, Wieters played in 124 games for the Orioles and hit .243 with 17 homers. He has a career .801 OPS against lefthanded pitching and a .716 OPS against righties.
A-Rod: I’m not playing
Alex Rodriguez maintains he will not attempt a comeback. Released last August with more than a season left in his $275 million, 10-year contract, A-Rod worked his first day as a Yankees guest instructor. Asked whether he is retired, the 41-year-old responded: ‘‘Yes, I am.’’ Rodriguez said he received inquiries about possibly playing from ‘‘a few teams’’ after his release but decided not to pursue them . . . Baltimore acquired lefthander Richard Bleier from the Yankees for a player to be named or cash. Bleier had a 1.96 ERA in 23 games for the Yankees last season.
