Union files grievance against Pirates, others

BRANDETON, Fla.

The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance against the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, accusing the teams of failing to appropriately spend revenue-sharing money.

Union spokesman Chris Dahl, speaking at the union’s training camp for free agents, said the grievance was filed Friday.

If the case is not settled, it would proceed to a hearing before Mark Irvings, baseball’s independent arbitrator.

Pirates President Frank Coonelly called the grievance “patently baseless” and said the team spent revenue-sharing money consistent with the rules in baseball’s labor contract.