Ken Rosenthal outlines the CBA’s reasons for spending in a small market this offseason

This MLB free agency season has been very interesting, as many teams appear to be more willing to spend than ever before — with smaller-market teams appearing to become more active in the market. For example, the The Baltimore Orioles defeated the New York Mets to Pete Alonso’s shot. The The Pittsburgh Pirates were very aggressive in search of Kyle Schwarber. Even the Miami Marlins were more open to splashing the cash.

While nothing is concrete in terms of possible reasons for this uptick in spending from teams in smaller markets, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletics seems to agree with Foul Territory TV host and former MLB catcher AJ Pierzinski that perhaps with the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks, they can prove that these teams can prove that spend at will to avoid being forced to do so at a standard level by some form of legislation.

“Is it because, as you suggested AJ, there are CBA talks coming up, and these teams want to prove they can spend to maybe avoid the floor? Who knows what the motivation might be?” Rosenthal asked. “I believe it’s related to the CBA. Maybe these teams are at least pushed in a direction where MLB is like, ‘Hey guys, we’re not going to be able to make a strong case when you’re pulling what you’re pulling.'”

More spending by each team is healthier for MLB

At this point, every major free agent is expected to go to a a big market team like the Los Angeles DodgersNew York Yankees, Mets or Boston Red Sox. The sport is gradually becoming more and more, and that is not very healthy for the parity of the sport.

If teams like the Pirates, Marlins and Orioles, among others, decide not only to spend on free agents, but also to spend on keeping their stars, then the sport should be in a better place moving forward – with or without the impact of the upcoming CBA negotiations.