Free agents Bonds, Lofton key parts of MLBPA investigation
By Buster Olney


Updated: May 6, 2008, 7:32 PM ET

The MLB players' association has opened an investigation into the free-agent market. The MLBPA has been investigating for several weeks what has taken place in free agency, in relation to Barry Bonds, Kenny Lofton and other players who have gone unsigned. It is something they have done in the past.

MLBPA general counsel Michael Weiner, when asked if they were near a resolution, said, "I really don't know. We're still waiting for some information."

If the MLBPA determines that there is something untoward, it could file a grievance on the issue of collusion at the end of the investigation.

"The union notified us that it was investigating potential collusion regarding Barry Bonds and asked for information, and we told them that there was absolutely no collusion with respect to Barry Bonds or any other free agent," said Dan Halem, MLB senior vice president and general labor counsel. "We are aware of no facts which would support a collusion claim regarding Bonds or any other free agents."

Jeff Borris, the agent for Bonds, said, "No team has made me an offer for any amount at any time since Barry became a free agent."

Borris added that "Barry continues to work out," but when asked about his client's prospects for this season, he said, "I'm not optimistic that he will be in a major league uniform in 2008."

Recently, the Mariners and the Tigers have developed what would seem to be a classic situation for Bonds -- the need for a left-handed hitter and an opening at designated hitter -- and still no offers have come in.

Buster Olney is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

I have often thought that teams have colluded against players. Not only here, but in the NBA as well. Case in point...Latrelle Sprewell. Barry should be on somebody's team.

quote:

Originally posted by The Camera:
I have often thought that teams have colluded against players. Not only here, but in the NBA as well. Case in point...Latrelle Sprewell. Barry should be on somebody's team.

Barry is viewed as a cancer. Team managements do not want him in their clubhouse. Nobody would want Clemens either.

AN IGNORANT QUESTION: WHY IS IT COLLUSION WHEN A TEAM NEITHER NEEDS, NOR WANTS A BONDS, OR CAN'T AFFORD A FREE AGENT?

DOES FREE AGENCY MEAN A TEAM "HAS"TO, OR LEGALLY OBLIGATED
TO SIGN A FREE AGENT?