MLBPA director: Dead time in free agency is 'threat to our game'

The executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association isn't happy about the lack of free-agent movement this winter.

Tony Clark expressed his concern over a second consecutive slow offseason while speaking to The Associated Press on Thursday.

“All the dead time in the last two free-agent markets is a larger threat to our game than any supposed dead time between pitches,” Clark said.

Franchise-altering, in-their-prime superstars such as Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned, along with other prominent free agents like front-end starter Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel, all as pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training in a few weeks.

Active players are voicing their concerns, too, with Jake Arrieta warning young players that this trend could continue in future free-agency periods.

Only 58 of the 164 free agents this offseason have signed through Thursday afternoon, a slight increase from 45 signings out of 166 free agents on this date last offseason, according to The Associated Press.