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With pitchers and catchers beginning to report to spring training camps this week, and many All-Star free agents still awaiting a team to sign them, some players are taking to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with a clearly broken system.
Among them was former Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who called out rebuilding teams for not doing enough to bolster their ranks.
100 or so free agents left unsigned. System is broken. They blame “rebuilding” but that’s BS. You’re telling me you couldn’t sign Bryce or Manny for 10 years and go from there? Seems like a good place to start a rebuild to me. 26-36 is a great performance window too.
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 11, 2019
Whether or not this is a potshot at his old club, or just general anger at the way the system has turned against long-term contracts or paying blockbuster contracts to big stars, Verlander is clearly unhappy with the sea change we are seeing in baseball.
When someone responded that they personally wouldn’t sign Machado because of his perceived bad attitude — something that got a lot of attention during the 2018 postseason — Verlander was quick to point out that armchair analysis was unwelcome.
When did you play with him? https://t.co/la8bCavfue
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 11, 2019
Whether or not you like Machado or Harper, Verlander does make a point that any rebuilding team should at least be considering making a long-term contract offer on the available roster of superstars still waiting to sign.