The Washington Nationals ownership has agreed to fully pay players of their minor league affiliates under contract after public backlash that included players from the Nationals’ MLB team.
Initially, the Nationals ownership led by Ted Lerner had plan to follow the trend set by teams in Major League Baseball by reducing the weekly stipend of minor league players within the organization by $100 per week.
Minor league players were receiving $400 per week. But the Nationals wanted to reduce the stipend to $300 per week. Ownership’s decision was met by a great deal of criticism. Critics noted founding owner Ted Lerner is considered the richest man in Maryland. He was listed with a net worth of $5.3 in October, according to Forbes.
After learning of the situation, the Nationals’ MLB players agreed to fund the minor league players the reduced $100 per week. Relief pitcher Sean Doolittle released a statement on behalf of the players via Twitter, Sunday evening.
However, the Lerner family has decided to change plans and will commit to the full stipend through June. There is no clarity beyond the month of June.
Meanwhile, smaller market teams, the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins, have committed to pay their minor league players their full stipends through August. August is relatively the end of minor league season.
