Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper could play in Japan should the MLB season be delayed any further. Would he be allowed to do so?
A lockout means no baseball, which is a lot of wasted talent from Bryce Harper’s point of view.
So, if Harper were to play baseball somewhere else — say, Japan’s Nippon League — would he be allowed to? Is there an MLB-version of a non-compete?
The Players’ Association has stated they would back any player’s attempt to play professionally elsewhere during the lockout. Harper’s veiled threat could become a reality shortly, if he’s serious.
Harper would bring plenty of viewership with him to Japan, should he be allowed to do so. During a sports hiatus at the beginning of the pandemic in the U.S., the KBO gained popularity among American baseball fans. The same could occur if Harper and other professional baseball stars at the highest level opted to play in their own league — or another, such as in Japan or the KBO.
Bryce Harper Japan: Would MLB or the Phillies allow it?
Per Ken Rosenthal, the MLBPA would challenge any attempt from the league to limit the number of players playing elsewhere during the lockout.
Obviously, were the lockout to come to a close, said players would have to return — but it’s a risk the owners are taking by dragging this process out.
Hopefully, a new CBA is reached early this week but should it drag on, expect some talented MLB’ers to play overseas. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the game’s best to expand their brand, and play in environments they never thought possible.
All thanks to the greed of MLB owners.