Dominican Republic players and trainers protested a possible international draft by boycotting the Dominican national showcase scheduled for today (Wednesday) and Thursday:

Following the cancellation announcement, a group known as the independent association of trainers of Latin America made the following statement: “We do not consider this a victory. We are not against MLB in any way, shape or form. We appreciate everything MLB has done. This is not a fight against MLB, this is a fight against the draft.”

Well, MLB wants the draft, and the union doesn’t really care, so like it or not, the fight is with MLB. I feel it is a fight worth waging. How about getting actual Dominican members of the MLBPA involved? David Ortiz has god like status right now. Jose Bautista isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and he’s about to suffer in free agency as he’ll get a qualifying offer. Pedro Martinez has a soapbox as a nationally broadcast baseball analyst. Baseball Tonight could have Jose Cruz, Jr. and Eduardo Perez speak about how the draft ruined baseball in Puerto Rico. The only way to stop the draft is for the MLBPA to oppose it.

Of course, there is the baptists and bootleggers problem. MLB wants the draft to save money on signing bonuses, along with money and work in developing international players. The MLBPA wants it not because they think it’s right, but because they think they can tap into that saved money for the members of their union (by getting rid of the qualifying offer, for example). We’ll see how this plays out. At least some people are actively opposing this proposal.