TORONTO — I think the players should — sorry for the word choice — take ownership of the pace-of-play issue.

They are furious, particularly about how underwhelming free agents have been treated this go-around and worry how that projects to future classes.

Still, pace of play should not be a bargaining chip. Players are most impacted by how the game is legislated. They should not just let the commissioner, now or in the future, impose rules because either they did not want to cooperate with the central office or because they could not come to consensus.

This is not easy. Pitchers and hitters, in particular, have different agendas and different belief systems on what is creating greater patches of dead time. But it is generally accepted that there is too much dead time. And simply having MLB declare new rules on the number of mound visits and how quickly a batter must be up to the plate is merely a surface scratched.

The best athletes in the world will acclimate to whatever rules are put in front of them, which is one of the reasons they are the best in the world. They can adapt quickly. Still, it is better that they tell MLB “we’ve got this,” that they recognize the need to reduce dead time, generate better flow in the games. Keeping the game appealing and popular for a next generation is ultimately self-beneficial.

The Players Association and its thoughtful constituents should use this season to speak frequently about more than what they don’t like (which seems to be a pitch clock) and formulate a blueprint of how to attack dead time. Again, they are going to have to live under this, and they should take ownership of the issue.

Here are a few other things I think as another season begins this week:

— I think the Commissioner’s Office should not see service-time manipulation as a shrewd maneuver by teams to delay free agency by a year and get most of seven years with a player rather than six. The Commissioner’s Office is in the business of protecting the integrity of the sport, and when, for example, the Braves send down a player like Ronald Acuna for a few weeks, it is not fair to the player, the process or the fans.

It was revealed just how ludicrous this is when the Phillies recently signed Scott Kingery to a six-year deal with three options before he ever took a major league at-bat. Had he not signed, he was getting sent to the minors to manipulate his service time.

The best 750 players available to major league teams should be on rosters when at all possible and MLB should be the police enforcing this.

— I think players deserve to be paid well, but negotiating a contract — like selling a house — has a gambling aspect to it. If you turn down a $1 million offer for your house thinking it should sell for $1.25 million and ultimately have to settle for $750,000 because the market either didn’t materialize or changed, such is life. Players such as Mike Moustakas and Neil Walker had opportunities through either the qualifying offer or multi-year bids to assure themselves money, but believed they would get more. They didn’t. Such is life.

— I think this is a season in which several established managers are facing the brink. We saw after last year just how badly front offices now want to go with younger, less expensive and more in the way of thinking with their baseball operations bosses. Joe Girardi, a championship manager, was not renewed after surprisingly leading the Yanks to ALCS Game 7. John Farrell, a championship manager, was dismissed by the Red Sox after winning the AL East the past two years. Dusty Baker, after bringing stability and two straight NL East crowns to the Nationals, was not brought back.

Who is next?

Mike Scioscia’s 10-year, $50 million pact expires finally, and unless the Angels excel it might be over. It was hard to ignore that the Angels hired both Josh Paul and Brad Ausmus this past offseason.

With three titles on his ledger, Bruce Bochy could probably name his retirement date. But his recent health problems and the reality that the Giants — if 2018 does not go right — might have to more seriously pursue a reset makes a change more possible. There is belief in the sport that Hensley Meulens was moved from hitting coach to bench coach as a prep.

Mike Matheny is signed through 2020, but if the Cardinals miss the playoffs for a third straight year, this might end up being the landing place for Girardi, who is said to have a good relationship with St. Louis GM John Mozeliak.

Joe Maddon is entering Year 4 of a five-year, $25 million pact. I actually asked him if all the high-profile changes to his staff after last season was a shot over the bow — this time them, next time you. He said he did not believe that, and that the changes were about talented folks like Brian Butterfield, Chili Davis and Jim Hickey being available. But forgive me if I think things are not as great in paradise as it is offered.

— I think the third-base market, or lack thereof, will be fascinating in July. Historically, pitching receives the biggest returns in-season, so already it is difficult to expect big returns on position players. But what happens if the AL East plays out as expected — with the Yankees and Red Sox forging a gulf between them and the rest of the division? Does that move the Orioles with Manny Machado and Blue Jays with Josh Donaldson to market their best players before they lose them for less a return in free agency?

And, even in that scenario, how many teams will need a third baseman (or a shortstop, since that is where Machado is playing this season)? And might this come down to who jumps the market first — could someone try to sell in late June or early July? And what if it is Kansas City with Moustakas, who is an inferior player, but comes from a clearly rebuilding team who can potentially act quicker?

— I think Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout just had brilliant springs and it would be great for the sport if the preeminent pitcher and hitter of his era both were spectacular as ever in 2018.

— I think on Opening Day the Astros have the best team on paper. Will they become the first repeat champs since the 1998-2000 Yankees three-peaters? Now, we begin to stop thinking and begin knowing what happens this season. Play ball!