The fallout from the protracted CBA negotiations continues to have unique consequences as teams look to finalize their active rosters this spring. The compressed spring training schedule has thrown off the timing of the usual spring calendar. Normally, the final roster decisions would be coming through right now, with the season only days away. Instead, there are still 10 days until Opening Day, and the Tigers are just now trimming major league camp down to the likely hopefuls for their final roster spots.
Take for example, Tigers’ reliever Jacob Barnes. The big right-hander was the most notable minor league free agent the organization acquired this offseason.