Nationals Minor Leaguer: Wish Owners Would Weigh Impact of Our Cut Wages

Megan ArmstrongSenior Analyst IIMay 31, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 07: A detailed view of a Washington Nationals postseason baseball hat in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park on October 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Will Newton/Getty Images

The Washington Nationals released 30 minor league players and committed $300 per week to the remaining rostered players, according to The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli on Sunday.

"I really feel for the guys that were let go," one Nationals minor leaguer told Ghiroli. "Most of us live paycheck to paycheck at best, and in this situation, I'm not sure there is much they can do. For us lucky ones still getting help, it's bittersweet. I wish the owners really weighed how much that $100 they cut us back is saving them versus how much it helps put food on the table for us and our families."

Ghiroli added that the Nats "are the only known team to cut down to $300 [per week] for all of its minor leaguers," including Triple-A players.

Several MLB clubs have announced updates for paying their respective minor leaguers over the weekend, as relayed by ESPN's Jeff Passan:

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Even better news from the Twins: As teams around baseball cut hundreds of minor league players, Minnesota does not plan on releasing any minor leaguers, a source tells ESPN. If there is no minor league season, all the players currently in the farm system will get the $400 a week. https://t.co/fAavhlkUhM

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Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Additionally, the Royals will not have any layoffs or furloughs. Nearly 150 employees will not take pay cuts. Higher-level employees will take tiered cuts, but the organization plans to make them whole when greater revenues start coming in next year. https://t.co/yZCcMT6ecr

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Two other teams that have committed to paying their minor leaguers $400-a-week stipends: the Cincinnati Reds through Sept. 7 and the Houston Astros through Aug. 31. Good on both of them.

However, bad news has emerged in the minor leagues from teams other than Washington:

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
In normal years, cuts happen but not en masse like this. The fallout from the coronavirus, expected minor league contraction and the anticipated cancellation of the 2020 minor league season prompted organizations each to release dozens of players, who were being paid $400 a week.

Former New York Mets second-round pick Andrew Church slammed the organization after his release last week:

Jacob Resnick @Jacob_Resnick
Former #Mets second round draft pick Andrew Church, who was among those released today, offered some honest opinions on the state of the organization and player development system via Instagram. It’s worth reading. https://t.co/5Rzf2vkxPh

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price will reportedly pay $1,000 to every minor leaguer in the organization's farm system.

The 2020 Minor League Baseball season was scheduled to have its Opening Day for full-season leagues April 9.