Bernie Sanders is standing up for MiLB.
The U.S. senator and presidential hopeful published a letter Monday, addressed to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, condemning the proposed plan to eliminate 42 minor league squads across the country, citing "greed" as the main motive behind the plan.
.@MLB is proposing to cut 42 Minor League Baseball clubs.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 25, 2019
This has nothing to do with what's good for baseball and everything to do with greed.
It would destroy thousands of jobs and devastate local economies.
I'm urging @MLB Commissioner Manfred to stop this proposal. pic.twitter.com/89AZduYrlT
"Shutting down 25 percent of Minor League Baseball teams, as you have proposed, would be an absolute disaster for baseball fans, workers and communities throughout the country," Sanders' letter reads. "Not only would your extreme proposal destroy thousands of jobs and devastate local economies, it would be terrible for baseball."
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Sanders also cites the small pay of minor leaguers, damning the sport's billionaire owners for wanting to pad their pockets before paying minor leaguers a fair, living wage.
The plan, proposed by MLB, would eliminate 42 minor league teams (of 160) across the country, most from rookie leagues. Also part of the plan would be setting a franchise limit of 150 players in a minor league system and shortening the MLB Draft to 20 rounds.
Sanders (D, Vt.), spoke out on the subject Nov. 17, doubling down on pitcher Sean Doolittle's comments; Doolittle condemned the idea of contracting MiLB.
Sean is absolutely right. Closing down Minor League teams, like the Vermont Lake Monsters, would be a disaster for baseball fans, workers, and communities across the country. We must protect these teams from corporate greed. https://t.co/g8BZi6HGeH
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 19, 2019
The plan was spearheaded by Houston Astros front-office staffers.
