Tensions between Major League Baseball and its players were heightened Sunday by comments from Seattle Mariners CEO Kevin Mather that prompted his resignation. In a speech to a Rotary Club that was posted online, Mather said he believed Seattle would keep top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert in the minor leagues at the start of this season to delay their right to file for free agency. The players’ association said Monday that Mather’s comments are an important window into how players are viewed by management. Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo said he’s happy Mather’s comments were made public, so people can see that “this is the way it is.”
