G Fiume/Getty ImagesChicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said Friday that players are "pretty upset" outfielder Bryce Harper and shortstop Manny Machado http://www.marinersfanproshop.com/authentic-edgar-martinez-jersey , the offseason's most notable free agents, remain unsigned with spring training less than a month away.Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com provided comments about the situation from Bryant, who suggested there are "not enough teams trying to be competitive.""It's really weird," he said. "Two of the best players in the game, and they have very little interest in them, from just what I hear. It's not good. It's something that will have to change. I know a lot of the other players are pretty upset about it."Fellow third baseman Evan Longoria of the San Francisco Giants also weighed in on the situation with an Instagram post Friday featuring pictures of Harper, Machado, closer Craig Kimbrel and starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel:"We are less then a month from the start of spring and once again some of our games biggest stars remain unsigned. Such a shame. It's seems every day now someone is making up a new analytical tool to devalue players http://www.marinersfanproshop.com/authentic-edgar-martinez-jersey , especially free agents. As fans, why should 'value' for your team even be a consideration? It's not your money, it's money that players have worked their whole lives to get to that level and be deserving of. Bottom line, fans should want the best players and product on the field for their team. And as players we need to stand strong for what we believe we are worth and continue to fight for the rights we have fought for time and time again."Bryant and Harper are both represented by famed agent Scott Boras, and the Cubs star's comment about the lack ofcompetitiveness is likely music to Boras' ears.The agent has lamented the rise of tanking in recent years as numerous MLB clubs have sold off veteran assets for prospects in hopes of replicating the Houston Astros' successful rebuild."We have to get rid of the noncompetitive cancer," Boras toldKen Rosenthalof The Athletic last January. "We can't go to our fanbases and sell the promise of losing to win later. That is destructive to our sport because it has removed one-third of the competition."He once again referred to losing games to improve draft position as a "cancer" during amedia scrumin November.The Astros feature one of MLB's most talented rosters but are only projected to have a $128.5 million payroll in 2019, a mere $10.6 million above the league average, perSpotrac.Other teams have witnessed Houston's success by building through the draft. In many cases Felix Hernandez Jersey , they have accepted the short-term losses in exchange for chances to win big in the future without having to compete financially with the game's big spenders, led by the Boston Red Sox at $225 million.In turn, a limited number of clubs can seriously compete for the likes of Harper and Machado, who are expected to receive lucrative long-term contracts as free agents.The ultimate litmus test could come after the 2020 season when Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, MLB's gold standard for the past seven years, could hit the open market.If Trout doesn't create a massive bidding war amid interest from virtually every franchise, the MLB Players Association is going to have a serious problem to rectify.Coincidentally, the currentcollective bargaining agreementends following the 2021 season. The Seattle Mariners are trying to stay on the fringe of the American League wild-card race and will get another chance to do so when they take on the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of their series on Tuesday at Safeco Field.Seattle won the first contest of this three-game series by edging the Orioles 2-1 Monday night. The Mariners got the winning run in the fifth on a Dee Gordon sacrifice fly that snapped a 1-1 tie and handed Baltimore its fourth straight loss.The Mariners came into Monday’s series six games behind the final wild-card spot Hisashi Iwakuma Jersey , so they don’t have much room to play with as the season is in its final month. But they’ve been perfect against the Orioles in 2018, coming into this game with a 5-0 record.Article continues below ...Alex Cobb (4-15, 5.11) will start for Baltimore on Tuesday against Wade LeBlanc of Seattle. LeBlanc (8-3, 3.71) has been having a strong season while helping the Mariners remain in the playoff hunt.The second half of the season has been much kinder to Cobb. He had some problems with a blister and being able to grip the ball right in his last start, where the right-hander came away with a no-decision in a 10-5 victory over the Blue Jays even though he allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings.Cobb has a 2-4 career record with a 7.14 ERA versus Seattle.LeBlanc has changed from a relief pitcher back to a starter for the first time in several years this season, and it’s a move that’s paid off handsomely for the Mariners.He’s been effective in most of his starts and a pleasant surprise for Seattle this season. LeBlanc has a 1-2 career record with a 4.58 ERA versus Baltimore.The Mariners kept Nelson Cruz in the lineup Monday despite the former Oriole dealing with a sore ankle and struggling while running. He was pulled for a pinch-runner in the eighth.“It was pretty sore,” Mariners manager Scott Servais told the media. “You’re not going to get Nelson out (of) the lineup, but it wasn’t pretty on the bases.”Josh Rogers (1-1) may be shut down for the season after his start for Baltimore on Monday night. He went 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs in his second major league start and appearance with the Orioles — but the club doesn’t want to push him any harder.Also Ken Griffey Jersey , for Baltimore, first baseman Chris Davis (illness) was pulled from the lineup before Monday’s game. He appears to be day-to-day.“He wants to play but he’s dragging,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter told the media. “(I’m) going to seize that opportunity to get a young player some at-bats.”The Orioles also made a few roster moves on Monday. They called up catcher Chance Sisco from Triple-A Norfolk. He’s been with Baltimore a few times this season but struggled badly at the plate, hitting only .158 in 68 games.Baltimore also brought up pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis from Norfolk. They’ve been converting him into a starter this season, and Yacabonis has pitched in seven games for the Orioles this season — making his third appearance in relief Monday with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.He’s now got an 0-2 record along with a 7.71 ERA. Yacabonis made 21 starts in Triple-A.