Quiet GM meetings end without hint of CBA resolution

CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) — A looming lockout at the expiration of baseball's collective bargaining agreement Dec. 1 didn't change much at the general manager's meetings this week.

“I’m not part of the negotiating team, so I mean, business as usual for us,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

"Business as usual," Indians baseball boss Chris Antonetti echoed. Credit the same quote to Seattle's Jerry DiPoto, Houston's James Click and Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn, among others.

“Same thing we say every year," the Cubs' Jed Hoyer said.

Despite an offseason that figures to be different than any since baseball's last labor stoppage in 1994-95, the GM meetings went on as planned in Southern California.

Heads of baseball operations departments sat for presentations from league officials on the progress of rules experiments in the minor leagues, were pitched by Players Alliance reps — including former players CC Sabathia and Curtis Granderson — on ways to help diversity efforts, and laid the groundwork for deals that might be struck later this winter.

Agents roamed the premise as usual, too. Scott Boras said he was meeting with teams until 3 a.m. most nights, and of course, he came ready with his usual quips for his scrum with reporters. Given that next month's winter meetings may be impacted by a lockout, this might have been his only chance for a high-profile news conference.

Just four roster moves were made during the two-day meetings — the Dodgers finalized a deal for left-hander Andrew Heaney, the Yankees brought back lefty Joely Rodríguez, the Rays released lefty Adam Conley and righty Drew Carlton was assigned outright to Triple-A by Detroit.

Of course, the GM meetings aren't usually where deals are finished.

“It’s the same,” Cashman said. “You try to connect,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Quiet-GM-meetings-end-without-hint-of-CBA-16613512.php