NEW YORK — The head of the baseball players’ association expressed concern over a second straight offseason that has seen many Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and many other free agents remain without deals less than a month before spring training.

“All the dead time in the last two free-agent markets is a larger threat to our game than any supposed dead time between pitches,” Tony Clark said Thursday.

Just 58 of the 164 players who exercised the right to become free agents following the World Series had announced deals through Thursday afternoon. That is up from 45 of 166 on the same date last offseason, but this year’s free-agent class contains far more accomplished players.