Manfred advises MLBPA to save arguments for the bargaining table

Upset with the barrage of comments the union and players have made over the state of free agency this winter, commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred has attempted to restore order.

"(I) would advise (MLBPA executive director Tony) Clark and the players to save what they have to say for the bargaining table," Manfred said in a press conference, transcribed by Jayson Stark of The Athletic.

Manfred's presser comes one day after the MLBPA issued a statement in response to the commissioner's comments suggesting there is no correlation between shrinking payrolls and a lack of league parity.

The current collective bargaining agreement - originally ratified prior to the 2017 campaign - is set to expire following the 2021 season. Since signing the new deal, players have been openly critical of the latest CBA. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright recently suggested a strike could be necessary, and Philadelphia Phillies reliever Pat Neshek said the union agreed to a bad deal.