Talks between MLB and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) finally showed some momentum on Monday night.
As it turns out, MLB finally showed a sense of urgency last night, nearing the deadline they set themselves to sort out a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
They had stated that if there was no agreement by Monday, February 28, regular season games would be cancelled and wouldn’t be rescheduled.
It was a measure to put some pressure on the players, but as it turns out, it also prompted quicker talks and a more open stance by owners, who had been very stubborn to this point.
The deadline was extended to Tuesday, so there is a chance we have a new CBA deal today.
The key for the shift in momentum was Monday night, as the sides talked well into the night.
“2:11 am EST update: Another round of talks begin. No.13 on the day,” ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported.
2:11 am EST update: Another round of talks begin. No.13 on the day
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 1, 2022
Finally, Some Progress
The league finally engaged into a serious negotiation: it hasn’t met all of the players’ demands yet, but both sides are now making serious concessions with the hope of having a deal done by Tuesday.
If there is no CBA done by today, then the possibility of missing regular season games becomes very real again.
The sides remain optimistic.
It is more of a cautious optimism, though.
The union feels progress was finally made but they are still far apart on the competitive balance tax (CBT), minimum salary, and pre-arbitration bonus pool.
Per Rogers, “all the issues are tied together but CBT offer from league starts at 220 mil, pre arb at 25 mil, minimums start at $675k.”
All the issues are tied together but CBT offer from league starts at 220 mil, pre arb at 25 mil, minimums start at $675k.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 1, 2022
Considering the owners started offering around $620,000 per year as the minimum salary, at least now we can say they moved.
Will they move enough to secure a deal today?
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