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Proposed minor league cuts hurt Oakland A’s

By David Hill

Aug 13, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a baseball on the pitcher's mound during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Astros defeat the Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a baseball on the pitcher's mound during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Astros defeat the Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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To say that the Oakland A’s rely upon their minor leagues would be an understatement. They have a cycle of trading off their most expensive players for prospects, hoping that between those deals and their draft picks, they will be able to build a contender. It may take a couple of years each time, but the A’s eventually find their way to the postseason, only to begin the cycle once again.

As such, the A’s need every minor league spot they can get. It takes time to develop those players, especially when a team is as active in the international free agent market as the A’s are. Major League Baseball’s latest proposal to the Player’s Union, which would allow them to cut minor league rosters by 30 players, would be a hindrance to those plans.

MLB plan to cut minor league spots hurts Oakland A’s

For the league, this is about money. It is a matter of finding a way to reduce costs so that the owners can put more money into their pockets. After all, developing these players and having all of those minor league teams just is not profitable to the league, so why does it matter?

It matters for the A’s. In order to keep that process going, they need those minor league spots. They need to have those teams to be able to develop players and get them ready for the next step in their journey, which will hopefully end up in Oakland.

This does not just hurt the A’s. Other smaller market teams that rely upon their ability to develop players, such as the Rays, need to have those minor league spots. Likewise, having those minor league teams, and players in areas where the nearest major league team is far away, will help grow the game. But the league is too shortsighted to understand those dynamics.

Next. Diekman has perfect response to MLB proposal. dark

The Oakland A’s need all the minor league spots they can get. Major League Baseball’s latest proposal would hurt their ability to contend in the future.