Sanders meets with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) met with Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday after pushing him not to go through with a plan to cut 42 minor league teams.

Sanders said in a statement that Manfred was “committed to a good faith negotiation” to maintain the 42 teams and discuss working conditions, facilities and wages for players in the minor league.

“I very much hope that Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball can resolve their differences in a way that maintains professional baseball in all of the communities that currently have it,” Sanders said in the statement.

He also wrote that Congress would be “carefully monitoring” the negotiations for fans.

“As mayor, I helped bring minor league baseball to Burlington, know how important it is to the people of our community and will do everything I can to maintain that vital community activity,” he said.

The presidential candidate voiced his concerns about the proposed MLB cuts last week when he wrote to Manfred, saying it could be detrimental for the team’s communities. He criticized the wages MLB owners pay minor league players, with 20 of the wealthiest owners being worth more than $50 billion combined. 

Sanders’s viewpoint on the MLB cuts was condemned by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who said his fight on income inequality is “requiring” team owners to “distribute their income” to minor league players.