During negotiations to approve a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the 2022-2026 period, MLB has shown its worst side more than a few times.
One of the things the Players Association hates the most about the owners is the fact they want to unilaterally approve changes if the union does not agree with them.
So, basically, if they want to approve something, they will run it by the union first to seek approval and make people believe they “engaged” with the players.
If they disapprove, well, they aren’t afraid of using their power to approve things and changes unilaterally.
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the league reminded the union that they have such power.
“MLB says it has the right to unilaterally implement rule changes for 2023 providing they make a formal proposal to the union before Opening Day,” Nightengale reported.
MLB says it has the right to unilaterally implement rule changes for 2023 providing they make a formal proposal to the union before Opening Day. https://t.co/Weul6eQ7T2
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 3, 2022
MLB Wants To Ban The Shift And Use A Pitch Clock
Per Nightengale, there are the three rule changes that MLB wants to implement: “Banning shifts, a pitch clock, and oversized bases.”
It’s not clear if players are necessarily against all those changes, but they definitely could negotiate including them if they are included in CBA talks.
Per the reporters, the changes cannot begin before the 2024 season unless the union agrees, and MLB wants the rules to go into effect in 2023.
Fans are still divided in most of those changes, as some don’t consider them necessary at all.
Owners insist, though, and sometimes, they project the image of a spoiled child that throws a temper tantrum when it doesn’t get what it wants.
If they don’t get their wish at that exact moment, they don’t behave well: yes, we are talking about MLB owners, all grown men.
NEXT: MLB Trying To Reduce The Noise Surrounding Lockout Talks