The union's bigger problem, by far, will be the second-tier free agents who already were getting squeezed. Teams now might take even more of a hard-line position with such players, again forcing them to scramble for jobs.
Several general managers mentioned to me last week that they plan to wait out the market, believing that bargains will develop. As for major signings, it's still early. But one prominent agent says the market is indeed moving more slowly than usual.
