[Jim Porter]

Really, it's about MLB trying maintain control of the game in some way. The players' union has become so powerful that it has total control over the game. The players' union controls all rules that govern free agency and contracts, they control the majority of the money, they have veto power on playing rules changes, they control player suspensions and when they are carried out, they impact fines and get them reduced, they can veto any attempt by MLB to impose a salary cap, and they have shown the power, ability, and willingness to completely destroy professional baseball after their strike nearly ruined the game.

While the players' union became more powerful, MLB had to exert its control over other aspects of baseball. That's when the labor dispute occurred among the umpires and many of them lost their jobs. It was MLB's front office making an attempt to exert their control over the last aspect of the game not controlled by the players' union.