The MLB owners pay minor leaguers worse rates than walmart employees.

Once again a socialist labor law looks like it will come to the aid of employees versus capitalist entrepreneurs. Steve Gardner of USA today wrote in his article "Minor league baseball players look for financial life line as MLB teams halt payments" about the struggle of minor league ball players.

"The minor leaguers, many of whom receive compensation that’s below the federal minimum wage, could soon find their only source of income cut off – while they remain under contract to their parent club.

However, the Federal Coronavirus Relief Law, known as the CARES Act, could allow those players to receive substantially more in benefits than they’re currently being paid."

According to Gardner MLB teams agreed to a weekly paycheck of $400 a week for minor leaguers but come June first, players are on their own.

Gardner writes, "On Tuesday, the Oakland A’s revealed that they will not continue those payments at the end of the month. The Chicago White Sox have said they will pay their minor-leaguers through the end of June. The San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins have pledged payments through the end of August. Other teams are expected to announce their intentions in the coming days."

Unlike the boys of summer in the majors, the minor leaguers only make between $4K-$15K a season. They would need a season part time minimum wage job or welfare assistance to live.

MLB treats minor leaguers like crap. Gardner says the players were screwed by the new tax law. "Why are they paid so little? Minor leaguers aren’t considered employees of their parent clubs, but “seasonal apprentices” under the provisions of the "Save America's Pastime Act," included in the massive 2018 federal tax cut bill."

The act even prevents the minor leaguers from collecting unemployment. The care act however protects the players until August 1st. 

Even if the players try to file, there is a lot of legal mumbo jumbo and bureaucratic red tape before they can get help.

The Oakland A's reportedly owe $1 million to its 200 minor league employees. The team is worth around $2 Billion.

At a time when the MLB is on the verge of going under, the last thing it needs is bad press. Not paying the poorest employees and making them have to seek government assistance, is just that. 

Currently there is an issue between the MLBPA and the MLB over pay. Hopefully, the MLBPA takes care the minor league employees. While the millionaires don't need more money, if they were to hold out in support of the minor leaguers; they would have support of the fans.