Major League Baseball shared this statement on Spring Training games following a recent meeting about the MLB lockout.“We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of Spring Training games until no earlier than Saturday, March 5th. All 30 Clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands. The Clubs have adopted a uniform policy that provides an option for full refunds for fans who have purchased tickets from the Clubs to any Spring Training games that are not taking place. We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to each side. On Monday, members of the owners’ bargaining committee will join an in-person meeting with the Players Association and remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time.”Major League Baseball has been in a lockout since Dec. 1 and time is running out to strike a deal before the regular season starts. With spring training on the brink of starting, negotiators are scrambling to strike a deal to preserve the start of the MLB regular season on March 31.The MLB has informed the players union that a deal must be made by Feb. 28 in order to keep the start of the regular season on track. After Thursday's meeting with the players union, MLB negotiators walked out after only 15 minutes, angry over the union's latest proposal, leaving the scheduled start of the regular season in serious jeopardy. The union, incensed that the lockout was implemented in the first place, blames the MLB for the slow-moving negotiations.Considering the two sides remain so far apart, any previous optimism is rapidly waning.Experts with direct knowledge of the negotiations predict that the lockout could now extend until at least mid-March. This would guarantee the 162-game season would be shortened, providing the season is not extended into mid-November. In the most recent meeting, their sixth one since the lockout first began, the players union proposed that instead of seeking salary arbitration rights for all players with at least two years of major-league service, it would be for the top 80% of the two-year class. In exchange, the union increased their bonus pool proposal for pre-arbitration eligible players from $100 million to $115 million, covering about 150 players. It leaves the sides at least $100 million apart simply on the one issue. The MLB has offered a $15 million bonus pool, covering about 30 players, while keeping the status quo of arbitration-eligible players at two years and the top 22% of the service class.There were no other modified proposals on the minimum salary, luxury tax thresholds, draft lottery or mechanisms to curb service time manipulation.Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem and union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer met privately for 20 minutes after the meeting ended, according to New York reporters, with no date yet set for their next meeting.
Major League Baseball has been in a lockout since Dec. 1 and time is running out to strike a deal before the regular season starts.
With spring training on the brink of starting, negotiators are scrambling to strike a deal to preserve the start of the MLB regular season on March 31.
The MLB has informed the players union that a deal must be made by Feb. 28 in order to keep the start of the regular season on track.
After Thursday's meeting with the players union, MLB negotiators walked out after only 15 minutes, angry over the union's latest proposal, leaving the scheduled start of the regular season in serious jeopardy.
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The union, incensed that the lockout was implemented in the first place, blames the MLB for the slow-moving negotiations.
Considering the two sides remain so far apart, any previous optimism is rapidly waning.
Experts with direct knowledge of the negotiations predict that the lockout could now extend until at least mid-March. This would guarantee the 162-game season would be shortened, providing the season is not extended into mid-November.
In the most recent meeting, their sixth one since the lockout first began, the players union proposed that instead of seeking salary arbitration rights for all players with at least two years of major-league service, it would be for the top 80% of the two-year class.
In exchange, the union increased their bonus pool proposal for pre-arbitration eligible players from $100 million to $115 million, covering about 150 players.
It leaves the sides at least $100 million apart simply on the one issue.
The MLB has offered a $15 million bonus pool, covering about 30 players, while keeping the status quo of arbitration-eligible players at two years and the top 22% of the service class.
There were no other modified proposals on the minimum salary, luxury tax thresholds, draft lottery or mechanisms to curb service time manipulation.
Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem and union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer met privately for 20 minutes after the meeting ended, according to New York reporters, with no date yet set for their next meeting.
According to a report by the The Athletic, the Cincinnati Reds have cancelled all spring games through March 4.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
