PEORIA, Ariz. -- The D-backs are one of 22 teams named in a grievance the Major League Baseball Players Association filed against Major League clubs.
Citing MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred, the Los Angeles Times reported that the union is claiming that at least 109 players on 22 teams should not have to make a combined $6 million in charitable donations this season.
D-backs team president and CEO Derrick Hall was not pleased to learn the D-backs were one of the teams named in the grievance.
"A few of our players have charitable clauses in their contracts, but it was not mandated by the club," Hall said. "The players and their agents brought those suggestions to us during negotiations. We have good guys on this team who care about the community and want to give back. It is sad that the Players Association would file a grievance based on charitable giving, particularly at this time when so many need so much help. In my opinion, the union should be ashamed of itself."
Michael Weiner, the Players Association's general counsel, told The Associated Press, "Players are free to choose to make donations to club charities, but clubs can't require such donations by contract."
