NEWSLETTER
Whatever “progress” was made yesterday was flushed down the tubes today as … let’s just call it the true nature of these negotiations re-emerged. Things are as bad as they’ve ever been, and with just two days to go before MLB says it will cancel regular season games, I think you can probably safely clear your April calendar.
The MLBPA today made a comprehensive revised offer, which the owners considered very briefly, and it sounds like everything went to shit from there. Among the reports:
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
Players are currently considering walking away from the table, per a person familiar with their plans. Made what they felt was a substantive offer and owners rejected it. Players furious.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) February 26, 2022
Players offered to come down 2M on the CBT thresholds (which started at 245M) each year from 2023 to 2025. MLB countered by offering to raise the CBT threshold in year two of the agreement from 214M to 215M.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) February 26, 2022
Lots of changes on the specifics today but in total: both sides proposed comprehensive packages. MLB’s reaction to the union’s proposal—incld moves on CBT, super 2, & rev sharing—was negative, players were outraged. MLB’s counter left players considering walking away tonight.
— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) February 26, 2022
MLBPA dropped its request for arbitration eligibility expansion from 75 percent of players with 2-3 years of service time to 35 percent. MLB doesn’t want to expand it at all from current 22. No change to minimum salary or prearbitration bonus pool proposals for either side.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 26, 2022
MLB last night was attempting to tie the draft proposal, the topic that had momentum for a time yesterday, to a 14-team expanded postseason, and today made clear that was its position. Players have proposed 12 teams in expanded playoffs.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 26, 2022
That is at least one significant move right there, dropping the Super Two pool massively (frankly, to a level that is a completely reasonable ask). That is the first really significant economic move by either side this week, and it led to hostility from the owners? The same owners that locked the players out and then made no new offer for six weeks? And have yet to make any notable moves on economic issues? It’s nice to see some very small moves by the owners on substantive issues, but none of it looks particularly serious.
If – after all the BS of the last three months, and with MLB’s self-imposed deadline looming on Monday – the players were the first ones to make big economic moves this week and the owners still aren’t finally getting reasonable? If they’re trying to characterize this as more small stuff? If they are the ones acting aggrieved? Then, once again, we’re right back where we have been all week: this is just theater, and there are simply too many owners that have decided they are more than happy to have a chunk of the regular season (and the associated expenses) wiped away. The long-term risks to the sport and the feelings of the fans are a negligible factor. The only thing that matters is getting another overwhelming CBA win.
Like I said last night, I just didn’t see the reason for all the optimism. The players seem very understandably at the point of walking away. This all sucks so much. I am reminded of what the pandemic negotiations were like, when everything was ugly and a deal was never ultimately reached (people seem to forget that – the season was played based on an older, non-comprehensive agreement that is still under a grievance).
More soon, I suppose.
A few UPDATES as I see them and tweet about them:
This, perhaps more than anything else, underscores how unserious MLB has been. These items are not in the same ballpark to be traded. It's just an unserious approach. One that betrays the clear intent: either get a 3rd straight massive win, or cancel games & save some expenses. https://t.co/5hsMu5wNiC
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 26, 2022
At least there was some movement by the owners on these penalties (which are still egregious, mind you). One question is whether the draft pick penalties are still in MLB's offer. If so, 2nd tier pretty much becomes a salary cap for most teams. https://t.co/30ECkNHZv6
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 26, 2022
This Rule 5 idea was recently discussed in the media, and it seems like a good one to me: https://t.co/H9JruIUKaA https://t.co/sRhZ8MATRA
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 26, 2022
Unserious. https://t.co/jdXvOcZBCo
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 26, 2022
I got nothing else for you tonight. There are far more important things in the world, & it’s worth thinking on that.
But it’s also OK to be bummed that something you really enjoy – something designed to be a happy diversion – is being held away from you for dubious reasons. ✌️
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 27, 2022
