Baseball reporters around the country have shared the good news: MLB is back, and will start on April 7 with 162 games.
Several painful months, filled with disappointing moments for players and fans were necessary to reach this day.
However, players can say they negotiated much better conditions for the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) than the last one that expired on December 1.
They achieved a $50 million bonus money pool for pre-arbitration players with excellent performance.
The minimum salary will be $700,000 in 2022, increasing by $20,000 per year until 2026.
The competitive balance tax, or CBT, will start at $230 million in 2022 and rise annually to $233 million, $237 million, $241 million, and $244 million.
The first six picks of the draft will be subject to a lottery, and there will be a universal DH.
Owners achieved some things, too, including a 12-team expanded postseason and the Association dropping the COVID-19 related grievance from 2020.
Baseball News Will Finally Take Over: Goodbye Meetings And CBA Talks
Now, to the important stuff: free agency and trades.
“If there’s an agreement and both sides ratify today, free agency can start TONIGHT, per source,” ESPN’s Jesse Rogers tweeted.
If there’s an agreement and both sides ratify today, free agency can start TONIGHT, per source.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 10, 2022
Yes, players such as Carlos Correa, Nick Castellanos, Kris Bryant, Kenley Jansen, Trevor Story, Clayton Kershaw, and Carlos Rodon, among many, many others, will be able to find a new team as soon as today if the league and the union ratify the agreement, which is expected to be a formality.
Trades will be allowed again, as well, so we can finally see, for example, where Matt Olson will play next.
It’s a good day to be a baseball fan.
The next few hours will be filled with rumors, offers, numbers being exchanged, and hopefully, some deals.
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