2014 – In the first salary arbitration cases to be decided in two years, P Andrew Cashner wins against the San Diego Padres while Vinnie Pestano is a loser in his dispute with the Cleveland Indians. In 2013, all potential cases had been settled before a final decision by the arbitrator.
A class action suit is brought to federal court by former minor league players, who allege the Major League Baseball and all 30 of its teams have violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and other state wage laws by not paying the players performing in the minor leagues overtime and minimum wage. The case filed as Senne v. the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, which was initially scheduled to be heard in heard in February of 2017, will be postponed indefinitely until U.S. district court Joseph C. Spero decides the question of class certification.
In a major reversal, Alex Rodriguez decides to drop his lawsuit against Major League Baseball and the Players Association. He will serve his one-year suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal and will attempt to come back in 2015. He will also not attend the Yankees spring training opening shortly, where his presence would have been a major distraction.
P Bronson Arroyo signs a two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner dies at age 91; in addition to his on-field exploits, Kiner was a New York Mets broadcaster from the team’s inaugural season in 1962, although he had slowed his pace considerably following health issues in recent years.
Reports indicate that former Rays closer Fernando Rodney has inked a two-year contract with the Mariners.
The Braves sign 1B Freddie Freeman to the largest deal in franchise history, for 8 years and $135 million. The 24-year-old was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
The Diamondbacks announce the contracts of general manager Kevin Towers and skipper Kirk Gibson have been extended, but do not disclose the length and financial terms that were given. The extensions prevent the club’s brain trust from being lame ducks, with both men having just a year remaining on their current deal with Arizona, which they signed after the team’s 2011 National League West championship season.
Michael Young announces his retirement after 14 seasons at a news conference at the Ballpark in Arlington. Young retires as the Texas Rangers’ all-time leader for games played, hits and runs scored, among others.
San Diego’s Petco Park gets transformed into a tennis stadium to host the USA’s first-round Davis Cup match against the United Kingdom. The ballpark gets rave reviews in its new configuration, but the U.S. ends the day down two matches to none.
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