Battery Power - 2022 MLB Lockout Updates: Owners and players strike deal on new CBAYour one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2022-03-10T21:50:00-05:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/226756542022-03-10T21:50:00-05:002022-03-10T21:50:00-05:00Battery Power Podcast Episode 339: Play Ball!
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0oLtDLfOdUi7QliHSeIfnLIizWc=/0x0:3194x2129/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70607106/1234120518.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="e7K3k4">Baseball is back, folks. On Thursday, March 10, the owners and players came together on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that projects to hold labor peace for at least five years. In short, the 2022 season can now begin <em>almost</em> as scheduled, and fans of the sport rejoice around the world. To react to that splendid piece of news for the Atlanta Braves, the Battery Power Podcast is back for Episode 339.</p>
<p id="TaTxHz">Brad Rowland and Eric Cole discuss the following topics:</p>
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<li id="PZj2Y3">Again, we say, baseball is back.</li>
<li id="HG4JZp">
<a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971486/mlb-cba-details-expanded-postseason-universal-dh">Sifting through the details of the new CBA</a> that ended the lockout just one day shy of 100</li>
<li id="1dBkF0">Opening Day is set for early April again, and the schedule will include 162 games</li>
<li id="yWPFXz">They finally figured out the money</li>
<li id="6Rxr0V">A 12-team playoff is better than a 14-team playoff, at least</li>
<li id="PZWdNx">Hello, universal DH</li>
<li id="bO1TIK">The Freddie Freeman saga takes center stage once again</li>
<li id="3IIu2B">What’s next for the Braves now that free agency is open and trades are allowed?</li>
<li id="XeVu6c">Much, much more</li>
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<p id="BXbem4">Please check out the podcast via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/battery-power-for-atlanta-braves-fans/id1082214582?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a> (where we strongly encourage you to leave a five-star review and rating), <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2kOP27obO7BdEyzXFooMXE">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/show/talking-chop-podcast">Stitcher</a>, <a href="https://player.fm/series/battery-power-for-atlanta-braves-fans">PlayerFM</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vVk1QNjQ3ODAzOTc4Mw">Google Podcasts</a>, or you can find us at our <a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/VMP6478039783">MegaPhone page</a> for all the latest.</p>
<div id="ZFgNAQ"><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=VMP7142266911" width="100%"></iframe></div>
https://www.batterypower.com/battery-power-podcast/2022/3/10/22971823/battery-power-podcast-episode-339-atlanta-braves-cba-signed-play-ball-season-saved-mlb-negotiationsEric ColeBrad Rowland2022-03-10T18:30:22-05:002022-03-10T18:30:22-05:00Owners vote to ratify new CBA
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<figcaption>Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>And...here...we...go!</p> <p id="3W7CG7">The owners have voted to ratify the CBA agreed upon in negotiations earlier today. The vote was reportedly a unanimous 30-0 according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. <a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971486/mlb-cba-details-expanded-postseason-universal-dh">Details of the CBA are listed on a preliminary basis here</a>, and we will be pushing out more detailed coverage in the very near future. Both sides must now sign a memorandum of understanding and then the lockout will be ended, allowing trade and free agent transactions to occur. We will be around tonight and in the coming days covering both CBA details and the transaction frenzy that is sure to follow. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MLB owners have ratified the new CBA by a unanimous 30-0 vote, per source.</p>— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1502063477661347854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="Vtw8Yn">For this season, Opening Day is likely to be April 7th, spring training games will start in a week, the full 162 games will be played, and there will be 12 playoff teams. The rule 5 draft has been cancelled for this year. Please do go and check out the details and keep an eye out for our coverage of everything in the near future as we are all excited to have the sport we love back! Let’s have a great season!</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971759/atlanta-braves-news-owners-vote-to-ratify-new-cbaDaniel Hutchinson-Kausch2022-03-10T16:40:24-05:002022-03-10T16:40:24-05:00MLB arbitration dates set, Rule 5 draft reportedly cancelled
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<img alt="MLB: World Series-Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/snnIRpg7ceYbRXCUCbqKjjOCZF0=/0x0:2969x1979/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70606006/usa_today_17070710.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We now have some clarity on more of the machinations of how the transition to the start of the 2022 MLB season will go down.</p> <p id="Xi970J">With all of the chaos that is preparing to ensue now that a new CBA has finally been agreed to, it is easy to forget that the Braves have a fair number of arbitration-eligible players and there is a need to, you know, figure when the whole arbitration exchange-of-numbers-and-possibly-a-hearing thing can realistically happen with such a tight window before the start of the season. There is also the matter of the Rule 5 Draft whose fate has been in limbo given all of the other external issues baseball has been facing.</p>
<p id="cX6Iz5"><a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971089/atlanta-braves-40-man-roster-needs-mlb-lockout">As we noted earlier</a>, the Braves have nine players that are arbitration-eligible: Dansby Swanson, Max Fried, Austin Riley, Adam Duvall, Luke Jackson, AJ Minter, Mike Soroka, Sean Newcomb, and Tyler Matzek. We now know when teams and players will be exchanging salary figures.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Correction: March 22 exchange date. <a href="https://t.co/eBaO2VX1Lq">https://t.co/eBaO2VX1Lq</a></p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1502031771097047050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="aBqUAr">It has been explained elsewhere that while players wait for their hearings in-season (whenever that happens), they will be paid at the rate that the clubs’ propose up until their hearing. Then, if the player wins their arbitration case, the team will have to pay them the difference. Definitely a weird wrinkle, but given that baseball is actually happening, well, we can work with this.</p>
<p id="i7gjzu">As for the Rule 5 Draft, it has long been rumored that it was going to be going away for 2022. Well, that has all been confirmed today.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It may have been reported elsewhere already, but my understanding is the Rule 5 draft has been canceled for this year.</p>— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZHBuchanan/status/1502024119579152389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="ChjS5q">This could change as more and more detail come out in the coming hours, but our thoughts are with JJ “King of the Rule 5” Cooper during this difficult time.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971556/mlb-braves-news-arbitration-dates-set-rule-5-draft-reportedly-cancelledEric Cole2022-03-10T16:10:58-05:002022-03-10T16:10:58-05:00Details of Major League Baseball’s new CBA
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<img alt="MLB: OCT 10 NL Division Series - Braves Practice" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zpROUjrkBzUPnA8tzh8gL9Gvg5E=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70605814/1235812078.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>An updated list of the changes in MLB’s new CBA</p> <p id="Hf0ThY">Major League Baseball is back after the players and the owners agreed on a new CBA Thursday afternoon. The lockout lasted 99 days, which is the second-longest work stoppage in the game’s history. Owners are expected to ratify the agreement in a call at 6 p.m. ET tonight and the lockout will be lifted soon after. That means that the offseason will resume as soon as tonight. Prepare yourselves!</p>
<p id="k3UPDG">This is all still developing and we are reliant on oftentimes partial reports, but we wanted to put all of this information in one place to serve as a reference guide. This will be updated as we receive additional information. Omission of an element here doesn’t mean it isn’t in the new CBA, but rather that we have not yet seen information regarding that element to put in this post.</p>
<p id="hNVdLj">The competitive balance/luxury tax (CBT) was one of the biggest sticking points during the negotiation. Per the final agreement, the <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1502026376400015360?t=j1tJ6iTbl_wbo_KPjGbLIg&s=19">CBT will be set at $230 million in 2022</a> and will rise annually to $233 million, $237 million, $241 million and $244 million. </p>
<p id="2ePjcb">More details of the final deal are still coming in. <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33470321/sources-mlb-union-reach-tentative-agreement-new-cba-salvage-162-game-season">Below is a list according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan</a> and other sources.</p>
<ul>
<li id="WBIDPW">Players with less than three years of major league service will see their minimum salary jump from $570,500 to $700,000. The minimum salary will increase each year by $20,000, reaching a maximum of $780,000 over the life of the deal. </li>
<li id="5O1ujz">A pre-arbitration bonus pool of $50 million will be distributed among players who have yet to reach salary arbitration. Exact details on who qualifies for the extra salary and how the bonus pool will work are forthcoming but not yet available. Extra money will be awarded for certain honors and awards voting thresholds, and there’s apparently a reference to WAR for determining how much of pool will be spread, but it’s not clear exactly how the CBA plans to use WAR, or which formulation will be the preferred variant.</li>
<li id="kBiqBT">Postseason expanded to 12 teams. The top team in each league will get byes for the first round of the playoffs under the new system. The wild card round will be a best of three format. There will be no reseeding for division series which will have the one seed playing the winner of the 4v5 wild card series and the two seed playing the 3v6 winner. There are no ghost wins for any series. Also, there are not going to be any more game 163 tiebreakers as the league is adopting a tiebreaker system similar to the one used in the NFL.</li>
<li id="JpuG7T">Player uniforms will feature advertising for the first time. This will include patches on jerseys and decals on batting helmets. Players will be allowed to engage in arrangements with sports betting companies for the first time.</li>
<li id="MsGaZA">There will be a 45-day window for the league to implement rule changes. A pitch clock, ban on shifts and larger bases will go into effect for the 2023 season, pending action by a newly-formed committee that will be skewed towards league (that is, non-player) representatives. It is not clear whether the league plans to implement some rules changes in 2023 or later midseason.</li>
<li id="I3VtCL">The Universal Designated Hitter is coming to the National League, which slams the door on pitchers batting for the foreseeable future, or perhaps ever.</li>
<li id="1FRIOF">The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/mlb-draft">MLB Draft</a> will include a six team draft lottery. Exact details on how the lottery will work are forthcoming, and will likely be complex based on prior proposals.</li>
<li id="Pf3RTF">The MLB Draft will be cut to 20 rounds. The previous number of rounds was 40, although the last two drafts have been less, citing pandemic reasons. Bonus pools are said to be increasing, but it’s not clear whether that’s an increase relative to the past 20 rounds, or something else. </li>
<li id="8i2QGS">The league will allow compensatory draft pick inducements to discourage service time manipulation. Teams will be awarded picks if players not held down to gain an extra year of service play well enough to merit awards consideration. Exact details are forthcoming. In addition, players who finish first or second in Rookie of the Year voting will receive service time credits that presumably will grant them a year of service even if they were held down for part of the season. </li>
<li id="dhTeng">There will be a limit of no more than five times that a player can be optioned to the minor leagues in a given season. </li>
<li id="tyn1Zq">MLBPA agreed to drop the grievance that was filed in 2020 during the restart of the season due to the pandemic. The 2018 lawsuit (which was a hot topic of conversation) over revenue sharing was NOT dropped as part of the negotiations.</li>
<li id="mXBvI2">Spring training games are to start on March 17 or 18.</li>
<li id="VaN3Rs">Starting in 2023, the schedule will become more balanced, with each team playing each other team in the league for at least one series. The exact format that will reign is still being determined, but this will be a pretty substantial change that won’t be felt for a while.</li>
<li id="kEK9Xa">Improved benefits for former players (details are sparse). </li>
</ul>
<p id="k7rcBx">More to come....</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971486/mlb-cba-details-expanded-postseason-universal-dhKris Willis2022-03-10T15:50:02-05:002022-03-10T15:50:02-05:00MLBPA, MLB come to agreement on new CBA (UPDATED)
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<figcaption>The Palm Beach Post-USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Baseball is back!</p> <p id="rM6EHS">On Day 99 of the MLB lockout, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have reportedly come to an agreement on a new CBA. Details on specifics for Spring Training camps and the regular season are coming, but baseball is back. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor deal, sources tell ESPN. While it still needs to be ratified by both parties, that is expected to be a formality, and when it is:<br> <br>Baseball is back.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1502015630966415361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="hX9asS">The two sides began negotiating on Tuesday and continued into the early hours Wednesday. They reconvened later that morning and there was optimism that a deal was close. However, a proposed international draft proved to be a stumbling block the league went ahead with an announcement of the cancellation of more regular season games. </p>
<p id="4jIAg9">However, the two sides continued to talk and progress was made Thursday. The league and the union came to an agreement on the international draft where they will continue to discuss until July 25. If an agreement on the Draft isn’t reached, then draft pick compensation for free agents will remain in place next offseason. </p>
<p id="jG6vHG">That agreement set things in motion. The two sides were still apart on the CBT and the Pre-arbitration bonus pool, but were able to find common ground. </p>
<p id="vWIAQu">With the lockout over things are going to start to move quickly. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports that both sides can ratify the deal today and free agency can reopen tonight. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If there’s an agreement and both sides ratify today, free agency can start TONIGHT, per source.</p>— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1501999162442715179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="sBOPc8">Players are expected to start reporting to spring camps in Arizona and Florida as soon as Friday. <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1502001775360065543">MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports</a> that Opening Day will be April 7 with Spring Training games expected to begin on March 17 or 18. </p>
<p id="xyQcm8"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The owners are scheduled to ratify the CBA at 6 p.m. The lockout will be lifted afterwards and the offseason will resume. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: Owners call to ratify CBA is scheduled for 6pm. Free agency will begin immediate after. Holy crap, buckle up</p>— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) <a href="https://twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1502022571990171652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22971027/2022-mlb-lockout-owners-players-agree-cba-announcementKris Willis2022-03-10T14:51:41-05:002022-03-10T14:51:41-05:00Live Updates: MLB, MLBPA reportedly reach agreement on International Draft
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<figcaption>Patrick Breen / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Both sides continued to work past Wednesday’s announcement of postponed games. </p> <p id="kYveIN">Despite Wednesday’s announcement of more regular season games being postponed, Major League Baseball and the MLBPA continued to negotiate into the night and are talking again Thursday. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reports that both sides are planning to negotiate throughout the day today. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MLB, MLBPA are still discussing qualifying offer, international draft, but gaps remain on other issues too, and sides intend to talk all day today. Like yesterday, a lot of that might be by phone, but communication is constant. Players made last global counter offer yesterday.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1501935269070532612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="QFNuQD">As Drellich points out, the International Draft along with draft pick compensation seemed to be the biggest stumbling block from Wednesday. However, there are gaps that remain on other issues as well. </p>
<p id="LRi96e">Still, there has been enough reported progress on the key economic issues that have hounded the proceedings for months that there would likely be a path to a deal if they can work out their differences on the International Draft. </p>
<p id="g2MnTk">As has been the case throughout this process, nothing is certain and things could fall apart quickly. While Wednesday was the league’s stated deadline for being able to play a full 162 game regular season, there <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/1501938038988959757">is reason to believe that it is still possible</a> should they reach a deal soon. </p>
<p id="c31Clb">We will be updating this article throughout the day as more news becomes available. </p>
<p id="VIr67m"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - On the subject of the proposed International Draft. The league states that it has been a part of every major proposal. The players deny that. Here is a statement from Francisco Lindor who is part of the MLBPA’s executive council. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Get informed before jumping to conclusions. <a href="https://t.co/VA34RbC3K0">pic.twitter.com/VA34RbC3K0</a></p>— Francisco Lindor (@Lindor12BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lindor12BC/status/1501938380531064836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="HIJ5un"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The two sides reportedly have an agreement on the international draft according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MLB and the MLBPA agreed that they have until July 25 to reach a deal on an international draft that would start in 2024, a source tells ESPN. If a deal is reached, the qualifying offer will vanish. If no deal, the QO will return and the international system will remain the same.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1501957163488526338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="7iaNTX">The Players Association is waiting on a counter from the league for their most recent proposal. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The PA awaits a counter from the league to its global proposals made at 1 pm yesterday.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1501958218209243136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="MxUN56">That counter proposal is reportedly coming sometime this afternoon. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now that int’l draft/QO issue is resolved, MLB plans to make full proposal covering all issues to union, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1501960930627891202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="fk2pc2"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - These are the financial issues that remain between the two sides. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Among remaining issues:<br>• Prearb pool, both amount (MLB last known: 40, PA: 65) & whether grows annually <br>• Minimum salary ($10k gap, 700 vs 710)<br>• Luxury tax accounting—what forms of spending count in CBT. Complicated but important<br>• Amateur draft bonus pool growth/structure</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1501975600940072963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="l2SgZg"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The league has given their proposal to the players that includes an increase in the CBT and the pre-arbitration bonus pool. Deadline to accept is 3 p.m. ET. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Latest MLB proposal, per source:<br><br>Luxury-tax thresholds - $230M to $244M over course of five-year deal. (increase of $2M in final year from last offer)<br><br>Pre-arb pool: $50M (increase of $10M)<br><br>Minimum salaries, $700K to $780K. (increase of $10K in final year)<br><br>3 p.m. “deadline.”</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1501993628822085643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p id="xd30Qp"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The players are reportedly voting on the league’s latest proposal. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: players are voting now on MLB’s CBA proposal, many already have cast their vote.</p>— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) <a href="https://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/1501996360731709442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Union executive board appears to be voting against approval. Uncertain how this could affect full player vote.</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1502008990951256069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/10/22970771/2022-mlb-lockout-owners-players-continuing-negotiations-thursday-live-updatesKris Willis2022-03-09T19:21:57-05:002022-03-09T19:21:57-05:00MLB announces the cancellation of two more series pushing back potential Opening Day to April 14 (UPDATED)
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<img alt="MLB Owners Meetings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kPDhd5wQlPLs-ZiAw-tSaIsTlSg=/0x0:6746x4497/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70601819/1369785318.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Two intense days of negotiations ends in nothing. </p> <p id="AyLQcg">After two days of lengthy negotiations, Major League Baseball and the MLBPA were again unable to come to an agreement as of Wednesday afternoon. As a result, commissioner Rob Manfred has cancelled two more series from the 2022 regular season schedule, and has pushed back Opening Day until April 14. Manfred and the league released the following statement. </p>
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<p id="Za3xvY">“In a last-ditch effort to preserve a 162-game season, this week we have made good-faith proposals that address the specific concerns voiced by the MLBPA and would have allowed the players to return to the field immediately. The Clubs went to extraordinary lengths to meet the substantial demands of the MLBPA. On the key economic issues that have posed stumbling blocks, the Clubs proposed ways to bridge gaps to preserve a full schedule. Regrettably, after our second late-night bargaining session in a week, we remain without a deal.</p>
<p id="hoVl7j">“Because of the logistical realities of the calendar, another two series are being removed from the schedule, meaning that Opening Day is postponed until April 14th. We worked hard to reach an agreement and offered a fair deal with significant improvements for the players and our fans. I am saddened by this situation’s continued impact on our game and all those who are a part of it, especially our loyal fans.</p>
<p id="LMd9zB">“We have the utmost respect for our players and hope they will ultimately choose to accept the fair agreement they have been offered.”</p>
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<p id="MxAcIV">The latest stumbling block between the two sides is a proposed International Draft that was labeled as a “non starter” for the players. The league has tied the removal of draft pick forfeiture for signing free agents tagged with the Qualifying Offer to the draft and presented three options for the union to consider. <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1501662679257296898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1501662679257296898%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.batterypower.com%2F2022%2F3%2F9%2F22969475%2Fmlb-mlbpa-negotiations-hit-snag-over-international-draft-per-report">Per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers</a>, one was to sign the CBA, including removing draft pick forfeiture, and then take time to examine the international draft. If not implemented by 2024, the league would have been able to re-open the CBA.</p>
<p id="pz30KV">The second option was to do the package without the draft and with draft pick penalties intact. The third option was to just accept the deal as it was presented. The players chose to reject all three. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The international draft became the latest stumbling block in collective-bargaining negotiations. The MLBPA made the last full proposal today, but MLB said it would discuss other issues only if the players agreed to one of three options. They didn't. MLB then canceled games.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1501703497963786240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a>
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<p id="QtppSW">The question now is where do things go from here. While the league’s deadlines have proven artificial, the calendar is a problem for a full 162-game season. A shortened season will add another area of difficulty to the negotiations as season length, service time and player pay for the truncated schedule will have to be negotiated. </p>
<p id="ZIGf4E">Ultimately it is a disappointing result given that the two sides have reportedly moved much closer on the core economic issues. </p>
<p id="ANEIqG"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The MLBPA released a statement regarding the league’s decision to cancel more games. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: <a href="https://t.co/XLnAvwkFpm">pic.twitter.com/XLnAvwkFpm</a></p>— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPA_News/status/1501713664151195648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/9/22969864/mlb-lockout-2022-rob-manfred-cancels-games-april-14-opening-dayKris Willis2022-03-09T17:05:09-05:002022-03-09T17:05:09-05:00MLB, MLBPA still apart on CBT, International Draft, per report (UPDATED)
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<img alt="Syndication: USA TODAY" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e_o2ii3PLV-qpFoMfAUNBTGzHts=/0x0:5616x3744/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70600837/usa_today_17851753.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Patrick Breen / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>The hope for a deal between the two sides appears to be waning. </p> <p id="YtwdI8">After a marathon negotiating session that lasted into the early morning hours Wednesday, Major League Baseball and the MLBPA are back at the table. There has apparently been quite a bit of progress made over the last two days, but it appears that there is still one significant stumbling block. </p>
<p id="BCutMw">The league is looking <a href="https://twitter.com/chelsea_janes/status/1501618124361195522">to implement an International Draft for 2024</a> but has tied it to draft pick compensation for free agents. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the draft is a non-starter for Latin players. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">International draft “non-starter” for Latin players and might not be acceptable to union even with major MLB give, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>. Union in latest proposal still wants qualifying offer eliminated, as well as higher CBT thresholds and pre-arb pool than MLB has offered.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1501648388307267590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a>
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<p id="j8TY2X">Rosenthal adds that the union is still looking for higher CBT thresholds and pre-arbitration bonus pool money but most of the rhetoric today has been about the draft being the last major hurdle. </p>
<p id="oDKyHv">It is unclear at this moment where things will go from here. The league intended to cancel more regular season games Tuesday but pushed that back to Wednesday after the two sides met late into the night. The league’s deadlines are artificial in many ways, but should talks break off, an announcement of more games being cancelled will likely follow. </p>
<p id="6Uwvpy">The two sides are still reportedly talking so hopefully this is just a momentary setback. We will have more updates as they become available. </p>
<p id="P4uekw"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The international draft apparently isn’t the only issue remaining between the two sides. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reports that the union moved closer on the pre-arbitration bonus pool and CBT but a gap remains between the two sides. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: MLBPA proposal today moved to $65 million on prearbitration pool and $232m, $235m, $240m, $245m, $250m on CBT thresholds over the deal.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1501658827875401740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a>
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<p id="hO9o4f">For the second week in a row, it appears that the two sides are unable to sustain the momentum of a marathon bargaining session. </p>
<p id="f1ymNV"><strong>Update</strong> - ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports that the league is essentially offering three solutions. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: League offering 3 options: Sign the CBA, including eliminating draft pick compensation, and take some time to examine the international draft. If the union won’t implement within a couple years (by '24?), the league can re-open the CBA. 2/3</p>— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1501662679257296898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Second option: Do the entire package without the draft which means without draft pick compensation.<br>Third option: Take the original deal. League gets the international draft and draft pick compensation is eliminated. 3/3</p>— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1501662680641417217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a>
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<p id="NZ6p3F"><strong>UPDATE</strong> - The players are meeting internally to discuss next steps. We should have an answer soon. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Players meeting internally at 5 ET to determine next steps, source tells me and <a href="https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShiDavidi</a>. That conversation will determine whether players vote formally on owners’ latest proposals.</p>— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1501679179489759244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/3/9/22969475/mlb-mlbpa-negotiations-hit-snag-over-international-draft-per-reportKris Willis