An increasing part of the conversation amid the MLB lockout is how it’s impacting the mid-tier rank-and-file players.
The Max Scherzers of the league already are set financially. Now, they’re intent on taking care of younger players first breaking into the league. Lost in the shuffle are those good-not-great veterans, especially those who serve roles that don’t generally garner huge contracts – like middle relief pitchers and utility players.
Take it a step further, and you find guys like Steven Brault. After breaking into the big leagues with the Pirates in 2016 and spending every season with Pittsburgh since, the swingman pitcher was DFA’d by the Pirates right before the lockout started, ultimately becoming a free agent. Brault was limited to seven games last season due to injuries, so he’s now a serviceable 29-year-old reliever with an injury history who has played on nothing but average or bad Pirates teams.
We keep hearing about the flurry of moves that will come with the conclusion of the lockout, but getting teams to notice players like Brault could be challenging. He was up front about that hurdle during an appearance on the “Chris Rose Rotation” podcast.
“I’ve been able to get fully, 100 percent, ready to go. Because of how far we’ve gotten (into the lockout), I’ve already thrown live BPs of three innings,” Brault said. “But after the lockout ends, most likely it's going to be a whirlwind of activity, right? The hard part is not getting lost in the mix, but also making yourself known that you're healthy and ready.
“A way to do that is to throw for teams, a good, old-fashioned tryout. … and that’s probably what we’re going to do (when the lockout ends),” Brault said. “It’s going to be go, go, go immediately when it ends. So it’s going to come down to, hopefully, teams are willing and ready to take the time, the 30 minute it takes to watch a bullpen.”
Brault lives in Arizona, and he pointed out that he’s in a decent spot because so many teams have spring training sites in Arizona that it won’t be hard for potentially interested teams to watch him throw a bullpen. Still, there is a lot of uncertainty for players like him.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram