Rob Manfred is dead-set on changing the entire minor-league structure

Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty ImagesMost of us are familiar with the word "tribute." At Gale Sayers' upcoming funeral, many classy tributes figure to be given. As good as he was on the field, he seemed a better person off the field. However, another meaning of the word “tribute” is to give a payment as an admission of dependence. Earlier this week Major League Baseball announced a continuation of an agreement with the Atlantic League into the future as a “partner league,” though what that means is ill-defined. They also added two other indy leagues, the American Association and Frontier Leagues, as “partner leagues.” As I read the press releases announcing these, a loud gonging bell sounded inside my head. I understood One Baseball, Rob Manfred's plan to redo baseball, as a series of tributes of minor league owners to Manfred.

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