Buster Posey tweaks clubs not in 'win-now' mode, lauds Giants amid Bryce Harper pursuit

Add Giants catcher Buster Posey to the list of veteran major leaguers who are frustrated with a seeming lack of competitiveness in some corners of baseball.

Posey on Friday tweeted his reaction to Phillies manager Gabe Kapler saying his team's acquisition of catcher J.T. Realmuto was a sign the organization was in "win-now" mode. Posey was sure to mention that the Giants have a similar mindset:

Great news for Phils fans. But shouldn’t every team be in a win-right-now mode? What is the point in showing up if you’re not trying to win? Thankful for being in an organization that wants to win! pic.twitter.com/GoDYBYXpEJ

— Buster Posey (@BusterPosey) February 9, 2019

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The tweet went out after Giants team president Farhan Zaidi told reporters there was "mutual interest" between the club and free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper and that the sides met in Harper's hometown, Las Vegas, this week. San Francisco appears to be a late entrant for Harper as negotiations between other clubs and Harper's camp crawl along.

“We had a good conversation over a few hours. He’s obviously got a lot of suitors and a lot of interest and has some decisions to make, but again, I think it’s fair to say that was an expression of our interest level, to make the trip out there," Zaidi said, per NBC Sports Bay Area.

The Giants' top four outfielders at the moment are Chris Shaw, Steven Duggar, Austin Slater and Mac Williamson.

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Harper, fellow mega star Manny Machado and about 60 other major league free agents are on pace to still be unemployed when spring training begins next week. This is the second offseason in a row that players are upset with teams for not spending more money.

Posey's teammate Evan Longoria last month lamented the fact Harper, Machado and other high-profile players such as Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel were still on the market.

 

 

 

 

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We are less then a month from the start of spring and once again some of our games biggest starts remain unsigned. Such a shame. It’s seems every day now someone is making up a new analytical tool to devalue players, especially free agents. As fans, why should “value” for your team even be a consideration? It’s not your money, it’s money that players have worked their whole lives to get to that level and be deserving of. Bottom line, fans should want the best players and product on the field for their team. And as players we need to stand strong for what we believe we are worth and continue to fight for the rights we have fought for time and time again.

A post shared by evan longoria (@evan.longoria3) on Jan 18, 2019 at 10:37am PST

Kimbrel and Keuchel also remain unsigned.

The combination of decreased spending on player salaries and franchises prioritizing high draft picks over winning have added tension to labor negotiations between the players and owners. 

The Associated Press and other outlets have reported that the Players Association this month proposed a host of measures that would keep clubs from "tanking." The proposals were included in a response to an MLB proposal to change rules in an effort to quicken the pace of play.

The current collective bargaining agreement will expire in 2021.