MLB and the players’ union are still negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the 2022-2026 period.
They have been doing so for months now, and the advances have been minimal, to put it lightly.
There are many issues to solve before the MLB-imposed Monday deadline: if there is no agreement by that day, regular season games would be lost and will not be rescheduled, per the league.
Players, who are aiming to have a full, 162-game season, are obviously in disagreement.
A deal before Monday is highly unlikely, as there is too much to solve.
“Five days before the deadline MLB says will postpone regular-season games, here’s the gap between the sides in their latest proposals: CBT: $31M. Pre-arb bonus pool: $95M. Minimum salary: $135K/player. Draft lottery: 3 picks. That’s a lot to cover in less than a week. Like, a lot,” ESPN insider Jeff Passan reported this week.
Five days before the deadline MLB says will postpone regular-season games, here's the gap between the sides in their latest proposals:
CBT: $31M
Pre-arb bonus pool: $95M
Minimum salary: $135K/player
Draft lottery: 3 picksThat's a lot to cover in less than a week. Like, a lot.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 23, 2022
One can understand both sides directly fighting over money: it’s logical, as no one wants to have their pockets affected in any way.
MLB Is Fighting Over Three Picks
But failing to agree on three draft picks in the anti-tanking package is actually insulting for fans and media.
It actually sums up how talks have gone between the two sides.
We are not saying those three picks are not important: to the contrary, if it’s part of the anti-tanking measures and will make the game better, then it’s a welcome development.
It’s baffling, however, that MLB hasn’t agreed on the players’ proposal of having the first seven picks being directly affected by the draft lottery.
MLB seems set on four and to what end?
They want to keep extending this particular issue for three draft picks?
It doesn’t make sense, and it’s not fair to fans who want to, at least, see some of the issues resolved.
A deal before Monday is looking highly unlikely, because of things like this.
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