Well this ball is certainly rolling. Just a day after we learned that the Blue Jays were increasing their minor league pay, now we learn that MLB is pushing for a wider adoption:
MLB suggested sweeping changes to the minor leagues, including a potentially significant increase in salaries, better living conditions and improved travel, during a bargaining session with the group that oversees the minors, sources tell ESPN.
News: https://t.co/dh7M1QgKqI
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 18, 2019
Although MLB, itself, cannot control what each organization pays its minor league players, it can certainly force other improvements in its agreement with Minor League Baseball, and it can suggest to its clubs that minor league players are better compensated. Once that gets going with a few teams, more will follow suit, and then you’ll see a pretty significant uptick in pay across all of minor league baseball.
Also, just an FYI on the Blue Jays’ new minor league pay:
The breakdown for @BlueJays players:
AAA: +40% increase from $2250 to $3050 per month ($15,250 per season)
AA: +50% increase from $1800 to $2550 per month ($12,750 per season)
A: +56% increase $1400 to $2400 per month ($12,000 per season)
— MindReady (@mindready_us) March 18, 2019