MLB News: With Opening Day on the Line, Multiple CBA Meetings Upcoming
On Thursday, Major League baseball once again took a PR hit after an 18 minute meeting with the players union proved to be useless when it comes to getting spring training started on time.
So one day after spring training workouts were supposed to begin, almost no/no progress was made. The union obviously didn’t think much of MLB’s last offer, so they moved basically not at all. Sides are now $100M apart on the bonus pool for 0-3 players instead of $85M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2022
The doom and gloom of Jon Heyman’s tweet aside, there did seem to be a glimmer of hope for a deal getting done sooner rather than later. The MLBPA backed off on its demands on salary arbitration, something that’s been a firm sticking point in negotiations thus far.
The MLBPA backed off it’s request for arbitration for all players with 2+ years of service today, requesting instead 80% of players go into the system. Additionally, the union requested an increase in its pre-arb bonus pool ask from $100 million to $115 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 17, 2022
More detail on this courtesy of Jeff Passan.
Currently, the 22% of players with the most service among the class of those with 2-3 years go into arbitration four times instead of the typical three. They're known as Super 2s.
The MLBPA essentially wants 80% of 2+ players to be Super 2s. MLB has said it won't budge off 22%. https://t.co/ARSdcHrJjN
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 17, 2022
Saying the same thing another way, The Athletic’s Evan Drellich said it this way.
And the union, meanwhile, felt that lessening its demand to get players to arbitration sooner was and should be received as significant
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 17, 2022
Now, the next biggest sticking point seemingly involves the competitive balance tax, a revenue sharing tool that at times has acted almost like a salary cap for some teams. Additionally, cheaper teams more thrifty teams who receive some of that revenue sharing money are not spending it on players in free agency, instead opting to tank and pocket the money.
Tanking is another key sticking point for the players.
They've barely bargained on the CBT — and almost everyone with whom I talk believes luxury tax will be the issue that causes the most consternation.
MLB and the union have completely different worldviews. On, like, everything. But when they nitty-gritty CBT, we're near a deal. https://t.co/KYkwhUdaho
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 17, 2022
Last year, the CBT was set at $210 million. For the new CBA, MLBPA is seeking a $245 million CBT as where MLB is offering a small bump to $214 million.
Another key talking point that feels like one of the easier ones to come together on involves minimum salary. Baseball insiders feel that MLB owners are looking to get some sort of “win” in these CBA negotiations by steering clear of middle-grounds in salary talks, which could be the biggest hold up in a minimum salary bump.
Minimum salary: MLB at $630K, MLBPA at $775K
Pre-arb pool: MLB at $15M, MLBPA at $115M
Players offering two nine-figure revenue streams: playoff expansion (union at 12 teams, not the 14 necessary for $100M in TV $) and ads on uniforms.
League offering multiple smaller chunks. https://t.co/QWTm95A0gT
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 17, 2022
The light at the end of the spring training and, most importantly, opening day tunnel came later on Thursday night when Passan dropped the news that multiple meetings between the two sides should be on the table all of next week…
While exact plans are not finalized, MLB and the MLB Players Association intend to hold multiple bargaining sessions — perhaps every day — as early as Monday, sources told ESPN. Multiple owners and players expect to fly in for sessions leading up to MLB’s stated Feb. 28 deadline.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 18, 2022
If February 28th is viewed as a soft drop-dead date for opening day to start on time in late March, then significant strides need to happen next week. Commissioner Rob Manfred said last week that a four week spring training has and will be the goal for getting the regular season started on time.
Related: Lockout Draining Dollars from Spring Training Cities
Importantly, players would need time to report to their respective camps for games as early as the first full week of March. Additionally, free agency would need to resume and player signings would need to happen in a hurry.
One key threat to MLB from the players comes via Ben Nicholson-Smith, who revealed that the MLBPA would shut down expanded playoffs if there’s no full 162 game season in 2022.
Last thing: Heard MLBPA has told MLB not to expect expanded playoffs in 2022 if players miss the chance to play a full 162 and be compensated for the full season.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) February 18, 2022
The MLBPA has offered the 12 team expanded playoffs, as noted in a Passan tweet above, as well as uniform advertising space, much to the chagrin of fans.
So, once again, it’s you know what or get off the pot time the owners and players next week. Club owners need to swallow their pride and present a fair, good faith, middle ground proposal and the players union needs to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Most importantly, everyone needs to realize that we need baseball to be happening in Arizona and Florida by mid-March.
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