MLB, MLBPA Will Meet At 1 PM Sunday
Update:
Major League Baseball and the MLBPA will meet once again on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The news comes after a day when MLB was not thrilled with MLBPA’s latest proposal, as Metsmerized covered here. The players reportedly weren’t happy either as the two sides continue to struggle to reach an agreement. There was marginal progress on Friday, but Saturday was a step back. It’s nearing “do or die” mode for negotiations.
They will be meeting just one day before the Feb. 28 deadline to salvage an on-time opening day.
With a lot to settle and not a lot of time to settle it, there will need to be substantial progress if MLB wants to start the season on time.
Original post:
Major League Baseball and the Players Association met for the sixth consecutive day Saturday in Jupiter, Florida with just two days remaining until the Feb. 28 deadline to start the MLB season on time.
After marginal progress on Friday, it’s getting into “do or die” territory. While there was no conclusion one way or the other Saturday, MLB reportedly did not handle the MLBPA’s latest proposal well.
The two sides met at noon ET, with the players meeting and congregating shortly beforehand. The news cycle remained quiet for a while; for much of the day, the only update was that Jameson Taillon had arrived with Starbucks for everyone.
Update: Jameson Taillon just arrived with Starbucks for everyone. https://t.co/GJKXBKz4ng
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 26, 2022
The first substantial update came at 2:27 ET. League officials were reportedly caucusing with each other for nearly two and a half hours according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The players were also meeting with each other. It wasn’t until then the actual negotiations between the two sides began.
After 145 minutes to start the day in their own caucus, league officials just walked over to talk with players.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 26, 2022
The meeting didn’t last long, but the MLBPA did make a “comprehensive offer,” according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The sides then reverted back to caucusing.
The MLBPA made a comprehensive offer during the short meeting with MLB today. The sides are now caucusing.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2022
Among the adjustments to the MLBPA’s latest offer were backing off Super Two and revenue sharing asks, along with changes to the CBT request, Passan reported. Bob Nightengale of USA Today added that the MLBPA requested luxury penalties to stay the same from the last CBA.
One thing MLB prospered was allowing the Rookie of the Year to receive a full year of service team regardless of when they come up to the majors, according to Rogers.
After more caucusing and deliberating, the verdict came in, and it wasn’t promising. MLB “did not respond well,” per Passan, leaving opening day in “significant jeopardy.”
MLB did not respond well to the union's proposal, sources tell ESPN. There are two days left to get a deal, but opening day remains in significant jeopardy. Multiple officials believe a deal will not get done by the league's Monday deadline to cancel games.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2022
The last line is particularly troubling, with officials believing a deal will not be reached by the deadline. There are still two days, so all hope is not completely lost, but it’s less likely than it was after Friday’s marginal progress.
The only issue the sides agreed on Saturday, according to Nightengale, was the number of times a player can be optioned to the minors in one season. But among other disagreements, MLB insisted on a 14-team playoff pool, while the MLBPA proposed 12. They also considered the revenue sharing proposal a “non-starter.”
The players were reportedly furious about what transpired.
The next step is unclear. Evan Drellich of The Athletic wrote that there’s no meeting officially planned for Sunday yet, with the players planning to further discuss. Obviously, time is running out.
No meeting was immediately scheduled for tomorrow between MLB and MLBPA. Players plan to discuss. But speculatively: it would be difficult for either side to end these talks prior to Monday, which is the day of MLB’s imposed deadline for the regular season to start on time.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 26, 2022
Stay tuned to Metsmerized for more updates as the Feb. 28 deadline draws nearer.
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