By now, we know what each side wants in the MLB – Players Association feud.
The league wants to pay a maximum of $700,000 as the minimum salary, and some owners don’t even want to offer a competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold of $220 million.
MLB additionally insists on expanded playoffs and won’t accept anything lower than 12 teams in the playoffs.
Players, on the other hand, want MLB’s minimum salary to start at $775,000 in 2022, and won’t accept the CBT being lower than $230 million (and that’s pushing it).
They don’t love the idea of expanded playoffs, but may accept 12 teams in October.
There is still a huge difference, worth millions, in the bonus pool for outstanding pre-arbitration players.
No Resolutions Seems To Be In Place
Each side, however, remains highly unhappy with the other’s offer, and no deal seems to be on the horizon.
How long is each side willing to stomach the absence of a season?
According to MLB analyst Ryan Spaeder, things could get ugly.
“MLB owners are willing to sacrifice some revenue up front, throwing away, say, 4-8 weeks of this season – which would still be profitable for them – in order to protect massive projected, future earnings. I do not think that a deal gets done, nor do I think owners want it to,” he said in an interesting thread.
MLB owners are willing to sacrifice some revenue up front, throwing away, say, 4-8 weeks of this season – which would still be profitable for them – in order to protect massive projected, future earnings. I do not think that a deal gets done, nor do I think owners want it to.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) February 28, 2022
He also said that part of the owners’ plan is to divide the union, trying to break the patience of some players to create internal feuds and forcing the association to eventually accept a deal they don’t quite want.
It’s certainly possible, but prominent voices on the union side, such as Francisco Lindor and Andrew Miller, have said they are willing to miss games to get a better deal.
Things could get out of hand eventually.
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