Hendriks: MLB treating us like 'dumb jocks' during negotiations
Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks is confused by MLB's decision to implement another self-imposed deadline Tuesday to save the 162-game season after the league already canceled the first two regular-season series amid the ongoing lockout.
"It's an interesting concept that's been floated of 'OK, we're banging this.' 'OK, well, it's now back on but now we're gonna really bang it,'" Hendriks said, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. "It's an interesting concept. It's been frustrating from a player's point of view. ... We're all working to make this game as competitive and as fun for fans and everything going forward.
"I don't understand why it's taken so long to get to a point where - we're somewhat close, we're close, and then certain things are thrown in there in the end just to try to beat us. And I think Ross Stripling said it best - we're being treated as kind of those dumb jocks."
The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander said a competitive balance tax proposal on March 1 contained "stuff we had never seen before" and accused the league of "trying to sneak things through."
The league reportedly plans to cancel more regular-season contests if a deal for a new collective bargaining agreement can't be reached.