MLB made a proposal to the Players Association on Thursday afternoon during talks for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
They made some slight changes in the competitive balance tax (CBT), adding to million to the last year to reach $244 million, and offered to add $10 million to the pre-arbitration bonus pool for outstanding players, to $50 million.
Owners also increased their minimum salary offer by $10,000 in the last year, 2026, but it still starts at $700,000.
It appears an important portion of the Players Association, the executive board, is against the idea of accepting.
“Union executive board appears to be voting against approval. Uncertain how this could affect full player vote,” MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted.
Union executive board appears to be voting against approval. Uncertain how this could affect full player vote.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 10, 2022
The Athletic’s writer Eno Sarris offered some clarification and important information in the MLBPA’s internal voting process.
The MLBPA’s Internal Voting Process
“There are 38 votes total in the player’s union, 30 team reps & 8 on the executive board. So, right now, if the board is against, they need two-thirds of the player reps to vote for the proposal for it to pass. Player reps are talking to their teams to determine their votes.”
There are 38 votes total in the player’s union, 30 team reps & 8 on the executive board. So, right now, if the board is against, they need two-thirds of the player reps to vote for the proposal for it to pass. Player reps are talking to their teams to determine their votes.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) March 10, 2022
As we recently pointed out, both the owners and the Players Association need to go over the other side’s proposals internally among their members, all of them, before submitting an official answer.
It’s a rather long process that is being shortened because of the rush to get a deal done and the league’s deadlines.
As of right now, the most prominent part of the union is against accepting the current proposal, but if most player representatives vote “Yes”, there could be a deal.
We may not have a final outcome in the next few hours, but negotiations could extend past the deadline.
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