Yankees players earlier this season elected reliever Scott Effross as their player rep to the Major League Baseball Players Association, according to Gerrit Cole.
Effross followed in the footsteps of labor heavy hitters Cole, Zack Britton and Jameson Taillon.
Brandon Nimmo is continuing as Mets player rep in 2023, Francisco Lindor said in a text message. Lindor is a member of the eight-player executive subcommittee, along with Texas’ Marcus Semien, St. Louis’ Jack FlahertyHouston’s Lance McCullers Jr., the Cubs’ Ian HappSan Francisco’s Austin Slaterthe White Sox’ Lucas Giolitoand Colorado’s Brent Suter.
Over the past few years, Cole, Britton and Taillon have been influential members of union leadership for the Yanks, participating in negotiations with MLB owners during the 2021 lockout.
As player rep in 2020, Britton was also essential in working with GM Brian Cashman on the many COVID-related issues that arose. He is currently unsigned by a team, and Taillon left as a free agent to join the Cubs.
Effross is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, mostly in Tampa, but Cole says he is around enough to serve in the role, and is part of the team’s group text.
“He has experience [when he was with the Cubs],” Cole said. “He’s a really bright guy. He was a leader on the Cubs in this regard. He knows he can learn from some of the other veteran guys who have been around here if he has any questions.”
After a decade of work with the union, Cole has stepped back. So has the Mets’ Max Scherzerwho was a face of PA leadership during the lockout.
Nimmo has previously served as player rep.