MLB labor meetings continue with deadline fast approaching
In the midst of the league’s first work stoppage since the 1994 strike, MLB and the MLBPA continue to meet with the hopes of reaching a deal by February 28. An agreement by this date keeps the goal of starting the season on time intact.
On Tuesday, player salary took center stage in Jupiter, Fla. The two sides made small strides from previous proposals, but the discussion still marked progress.
Another day of small moves on the labor front. MLBPA dropped its ask from 80% of 2+ players receiving salary arbitration to 75%. Additionally, the union bumped the major league minimums slightly while sticking with $775K in the first year and went from 8 picks in lottery to 7.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 22, 2022
Discussions continued across topics of player service time and how many draft picks will be determined by a draft lottery system that is already implemented in the NBA and NHL, as reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Both MLB and the MLBPA are set to meet every day leading up until Feb. 28. If a deal is not reached by then, baseball will most likely see a shortened season with an off-schedule start as labor tensions continued.
While minor league players and coaches are already at spring training facilities, the league missed a deadline when major league pitchers and catchers were supposed to report to camp last Tuesday. Until a new deal is reached between the two sides, spring training sites will not feature major league representation.
The next few days of meetings will determine other aspects of the new CBA, with more player financials in addition to new implementations such as the universal designated hitter.
Realistically, the two sides have five days to save a full season and a scheduled start time at the end of March.
MLB looks to avoid the fate of the previous work stoppage that delayed the start of the 1995 season following the 1994 strike that canceled the postseason and the World Series.