LOS ANGELES — If you sign a minor league contract with the Dodgers today, and you never get promoted to the majors, the Dodgers control your rights through 2028. If you do not believe the Dodgers are giving you a fair shot over those seven years, the Dodgers are not obligated to let you find another team that might give you a better shot.
One state senator would like to change that. Sen. Josh Becker (D-San Mateo) said Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would require teams to grant a player freedom after four years in the minors instead of seven.
Becker said the bill would cover any minor leaguer who plays or lives in California and would allow those players the protections of California wage law. Under federal law, teams must pay minor leaguers the minimum wage but are exempt from having to pay for overtime, for spring training, and during the offseason.
