MLB Players Are Very Unhappy With Free Agency

Spring training is well underway, the first game of the 2024 season is on Thursday, the regular season starts in a month…and there are a ton of impact players who have yet to find new teams. And the rest of the league isn't happy about it.

READ: What The Heck Is Happening With Unsigned MLB Free Agents Blake Snell And Cody Bellinger?

Justin Turner is one of the few free agents to have found a new home; after years in Los Angeles with the Dodgers, he signed with Boston for the 2023 season, before moving to Toronto for 2024. But as one of the league's most well-respected players, he took the opportunity recently to voice the concerns of many players frustrated with the current signing process.

It's just frustrating," Turner said Monday, according to Sportsnet. "It's frustrating, obviously, for the guys in the free-agency class. It's frustrating for a lot of teams around the league trying to figure out where some of these guys are going to go. It's kind of a little bit of a black eye on baseball.

"You have all these guys that are All-Star, Cy Young, batting title, Rookie of the Year guys on the free-agent market, and they're having a hard time finding a job. I don't think it's a good look."

And he's right, it is a black eye for the sport that so many players are still looking for teams in late February. But what can be done about it?

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger. (Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports)

How Can MLB Fix Free Agency?

Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, J.D. Martinez, Jordan Montgomery, Matt Chapman, Tim Anderson, Tommy Pham…all have played major roles on competitive teams in the past few season. All are still unsigned with Opening Day right around the corner.

What's the explanation for the inaction and interminable timeline?

Teams, players and agents all shoulder some of the blame; unrealistic expectations, television money uncertainty, and overconfidence certainly play a role. But especially for most teams, saving every possible dollar is viewed as the most desirable option, far ahead of putting together a competitive team.

The middle class of free agency has become undesirable, too expensive to sign, and not impactful enough to justify bigger outlays. So they sit, stuck in purgatory.

MLB may not be able to force the issue, but they could encourage or incentivize teams to sign players early, instead of defending cheapness or blaming players. Maybe add competitive balance picks to teams willing to sign players, with a "to-be-determined" criteria. Something to spur action and create interest in the offseason.

Or, as Turner says, let everyone continue to be frustrated. Given Rob Manfred and the league's spotty track record, it's fairly obvious which path they'll take.