Players’ Association Files Grievance in Beltre Case

Adrian Beltre’s pursuit of free agency resumed Monday.

The major league players’ association filed a grievance against Commissioner Bud Selig, who two weeks ago ordered that Beltre remain property of the Dodgers, though the club was found to have signed him before his 16th birthday, in violation of major league rules.

A hearing date was not established, and the possibility remained that the third baseman will report to spring training in Vero Beach, Fla., as a lame duck.

Union official Gene Orza estimated that the grievance process would take at least a month, barring a settlement.

The Dodgers could end the litigation procedure by negotiating a contract with Beltre. A preliminary talk in the fall with Beltre’s agent, Scott Boras, proved fruitless, however, and it appears the grievance process will run its course.

“We didn’t file the grievance to settle it,” Orza said.

The grievance seeks free agency and unspecified damages. Independent arbitrator Shaym Das will hear the case, probably over a two-day period. Typically, up to 10 days are required for a decision.

Beltre’s argument will rely heavily on baseball precedent. Five previous cases, all similar in nature, though involving minor league players, concluded with the players being granted free agency.

On Dec. 21, Selig ruled that Beltre had knowledge of the Dodgers’ deception and, on several occasions, cooperated in it. Among the penalties, the club was ordered out of its Dominican Republic baseball school, Campo Las Palmas, for one year, but it did not lose Beltre, 20.

Boras denied his client’s complicity. “This is the first element where you understand that players with representation at the major league level are not required to accept the judgment, jury and prosecution elements that minor league players must abide by,” Boras said.

Regardless of the grievance’s status, Boras said, Beltre will be in camp, perhaps the Dodgers’.

“Adrian Beltre is a baseball player,” Boras said, then alluded to the Dodgers’ recent change in ownership, adding, “This was something done not by this club, it was done by another club. I’m not going to injure him in any way. He has to get ready to play baseball.”