Happier A’s with CBA changes, new team president

Teams are now responsible for making sure their players are acceptably fed, rather than players paying for clubhouse fare out of their meal money and then discovering that, in some places, that doesn’t equate to nutritious or appetizing choices.

For example: having hot food options rather than sandwiches and wraps; or offering grass-fed beef vs. spaghetti and meatballs.

[...] teams will provide $70 a day per head, including coaches and other traveling staff members, for meals and other items, such as grooming products.

There were concerns that clubhouse managers would take a hit to their income with the new system, but many teams are making up most, if not all, the difference.

Previously, some players had tried to ensure better options by providing bigger tips to clubhouse staff, but there was a perception that, on the road, big-money teams were getting fancier fare than small-market teams.

Teams will send visiting clubs menus in advance of their arrival for approval, something on which A’s visiting clubhouse manager Mike Thalblum is already working.

There were raised eyebrows last season when the Mariners started trying to collect the players’ dues themselves to cover clubhouse costs, rather than the time-honored system of the players paying the clubhouse managers directly.

The A’s have some built-in drawbacks, including the fact that cramped conditions mean they can’t have a full kitchen on the clubhouse level, but the team has made strong efforts to focus on better nutrition and more appealing menus.

Gray said that some of the CBA changes to standardize clubhouses, plus Kaval’s commitment to eliminating some stresses on players, could pay dividends down the road when it comes to attracting free agents who otherwise might be worried about amenities at an aging stadium.