How Long Must This Go On?

[Game7-91]

It's T-Day week, and I get to start time off early this week! Yahoo!

So I find myself perusing TD today, as well as MLB.com, and MLBTR, looking for news about free agent comings and goings. And not surprisingly, there is none. So I ask myself, and TD community, what gives with MLB and their excruciatingly interminable annual interregnum known as free agency?

Aaron Judge was quoted saying not much will happen with him, and not much generally until the winter meetings, because things traditionally don't start moving until then. (Note to Aaron: not even then Aaron, not even then.) Winter meetings are 3 weeks after the start of free agency. 3 flippin weeks. And crickets.

Jon Heyman says the Twins have a real shot at signing Correa, but it will be "awhile" before anything moves with him, because, well, just because I guess....Boras and all.  "Awhile" could mean March for all we know, and as a matter of fact, probably does.

So I wondered, what else can happen in the period of time it takes MLB to process their annual free agent class?

1. A peace treaty negotiated and finalized  ending the Russian war on Ukraine.

2. The James Webb telescope could travel an additional 3-4 million miles into space.

3. 3.5 million babies born throughout the world, on average. 

4. Regime change in Iran.

5. The final 60% of the NFL regular season, its playoffs, and Super Bowl. And Super Bowl post-game show. And Super Bowl parade. And Super Bowl merchandise setting new sales records for Super Bowl merch.

6. 50 thousand young people will begin and complete basic training in the five branches of USA military.

7. World peace and universal love and respect break out everywhere.

8. Tom Cruise will complete filming Mission Impossible 8 Dead Reckoning Part II.

    Speaking of Mission Impossible, is there any good reason in the world MLB could not have a reduced time frame to settle FA contracts? Should it really take more time to agree on Aaron Judges parking benefits than it does to negotiate nuclear test ban treaties? How is it possible Tom Cruise can complete a movie, on the international space station,  before you guys can sign a friggin' baseball contract? Come on........

    So I just ask the TD community, am I off base here, or is this a legit complaint? If so, what can be done to rectify the situation. Because, I feel exactly the same way as does the late, great Tom Petty who, with a big assist from the hooky riff off of  the magical fingertips of Mike Campbell, declares the lament of baseball fans everywhere; are you listening MLB?

8.

 

 

[CRF]

I'd love to see the war in the Ukraine end. Please get the little dictator away from the nukes. I personally know people who are from the Ukraine and my heart goes out to them and their country.  The Waiting is a great song! 

[Vanimal46]

The frenzy of signings before the lockout last year was really exciting for baseball fans. I wish they would replicate that excitement each season. Some fans enjoy the long game and the potential of a major signing on a random Tuesday in January. I prefer more structure and would implement a system like this:

First wave of free agency lasting 2 weeks starting the day after arbitration tenders need to be submitted. 

Dead period over the holidays and January.

2nd wave of free agency starts a month before spring training. 

[old nurse]

Is it we have an immediate gratification society now?  There is no need to sign anything right now unless it is a severe overpay. Players and management know that

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

Heck, basketball has their players in verbal agreements BEFORE FA even starts.  Maybe BB's FA period is in line with the game of BB in general, slow-paced with periods of excitment.

In reality, I think that the Winter Meetings seem to be a kickoff point for all the FO folks to get together, have a few drinks, and get creative.  Maybe those meetings need to be moved up to November to get this started earlier.  That, or some sort of deadline needs to be developed.  Not sure what that would be.

[Mike Sixel]

I have no issue with baseball off season pace. 

[chaderic20]

Is there any reason, other than we fans don't like waiting, for things to move faster? If not, then there's no need to artificially accelerate the FA market.