They accused the union of backtracking but showed no signs of making progress to get the season back on track.
On the 95th Day of the lockout the squabbling parties talked for 95 minutes, mostly reiterating their positions. After nine days of negotiations in Jupiter Florida, talks broke down Tuesday. Commissioner Rob Manfred cancelled the first two series for each team’s season, totalling 91 games.
Manfred could cancel two more series between April 13th and 14th, which would wipe out 93 games and bring the total to 184. This would threaten players with losing service time and delayed agency.
This was the first meeting in the new season, and the first to be held since 1995. Manfred was at the MLB offices on Sunday, but he did not attend the bargaining sessions.
After the four-day recess, many of the union’s proposals were written.
Glen Caplin, a spokesperson for MLB, stated that they were expecting to see some movement in their direction. This would allow them to have more flexibility and speed up the process. “The players’ union came back with a proposal that was worse then Monday night, and it was not intended to move the process forward.” They even reversed their positions on some issues. We are at a deadlock. We will work together to find a way to respond. However, this proposal does not make it easy.
The sides were unable to reach an agreement on the luxury tax, minimum salary, and proposed bonus pool for prearbitration eligible baseball players, in order to solve the second-longest labor dispute. Although the union reduced its starting point for the bonus pool from $5 million to $80million, it did not change its proposals for luxury tax or minimum salary.
The players declined to respond publicly to MLB’s requests, but they maintained that they withdrew the proposals for expanded arbitration and free agency, and revenue sharing. They also requested a reduction in their request for the bonus pool to $120 million. They have also offered to allow helmet and uniform advertising.
After the main session, Bruce Meyer, chief negotiator of the union, and Dan Halem, deputy commissioner were able to meet one-on-one. The players suggested that the sides meet again Monday. MLB informed the union it would return with a decision about whether to meet.
Players suggested that a fast-track competition panel should be composed of four union appointees and six management members, as well as one umpire. This group would review rules changes no earlier than 2023. It would cover a pitch clock of 14 seconds without runners on base and 19 seconds with runners. The group could also recommend changes during the offseason, with 45 days notice.
Last week, MLB proposed that the committee comprise six management officials, two union representatives, and one umpire. Management can change rules only with the consent of unions or unilaterally after one year notice.
The players said that they won’t allow the committee to examine one topic MLB requested: robots to call strikes and balls.
Although the union suggested that the postseason be increased from 10 to 12, they said they were open to discussing management’s desire to have 14. If MLB would consider a “ghost victory” in the first round which management isn’t interested in, it would be a good idea. The best-of-five playoff would be opened by the higher seeds with a 1-0 series lead.
Players are asking for a rise in the luxury tax threshold. It was $210 in last season. Now it is $238 million. In 2023, $244 million, $250 million, 2024, 2025, 256 million, 2025, and 2026. MLB stands at $220 million for each of its next three seasons, $224 Million in 2025, and $230 Million in 2026.
The tax rates would not change and the direct compensation for amateur draft picks by free agents would be eliminated.
The union reduced its pre-arbitration bonus pool plan from $85 million to $5 million annually. However, it requested annual increases of $5 million for the remaining part of the agreement. MLB offered $30 million last time, an increase of $25 million from the previous year, but with no annual increases. The union suggested that it had previously orally proposed a figure lower than $80million when both sides were discussing possible trade-offs Monday night .
Players agreed to withdraw their proposal to increase salary arbitration for players who have less than two years service.
Players retained their minimum salary of $725,000 this year. They also offered $745,000 in 2023 and $765,000 respectively in 2024. The increases for the next two years were based on the Consumer Price Index (Urban Wage Earners). The owners have offered $700,000. There are also $10,000 annual increases.
MLB has a minimum of $99,400 for players who are assigned to the minors or signing a second or subsequent big league contract. Players will be paid $118,200, $124,700 and $121,400 respectively. Cost-of-living increases follow.
MLB has a $49,800 annual increase for minor league players. Players are at $59,000.
The MLB proposal for an international draft was rejected by the players. They remained in the top six picks of the proposed amateur draft lottery lottery, one more than MLB.
The players also want to reduce MLB’s international games, which include Mexico City, Melbourne, Australia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and South Korea.
If players lose more than 15 days during the 186-day seasons and they do not receive service time in the final settlemet, free agent eligibility will be delayed for many players. This includes Shohei Ohtani (2023-2024), Pete Alonso (2024-2025), Jake Cronenworth (2025-2026) and Jonathan India (2026-2027).
