This will end the sport’s ninth stoppage after 99 days, and open the door to a 162-game regular season.
What happens next?
Baseball, in short. There is still much to be done.
The opening day was moved up one week to April 7. Clubs must prepare their players for six months before Max Scherzer’s New York Mets debut, or Cleveland plays with the new Guardians name.
There are still 138 major league agents who are free to find homes, including All Star shortstop Carlos Correa.
Here are some things to know about the baseball labor lockout.
WHAT TIME WILL SPRING TRAINING COMMENCE?
MLB requires players to report to camp by Sunday. However, some players will be available for optional workouts as early as Friday — exactly four weeks prior the start of the regular season.
There won’t be any split arrivals for catchers and pitchers, unlike a normal spring camp. Expect the entire roster, or as fast as possible, to report.
WHAT READY ARE THE PLAYERS
For the most part, yes. When camps weren’t opened as planned in February, players have been gathering on fields and other facilities to keep their sharp edges. Aaron Judge and other Yankees teammates have been working to prepare at Vanderbilt. Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt coach, invited former players and their friends to use Vanderbilt’s facilities in Nashville. The union also opened a Mesa facility for players.
There might still be some hurdles. Visa issues can cause delays for international players. Although it’s not a major problem during the six-week spring, with international camps being shortened and coronavirus concerns still affecting international traveling, some players may find themselves with a very short runway. Although it’s not clear if the union and league have created a new set COVID-19 protocols or not, some players might be slowed down if intake testing is performed.
There are also concerns about the health and safety of pitchers and players. It is the second time that players have been thrown out of their spring routine in three seasons. After only 60 games in 2020, the schedule was rearranged to 162 games. The injury rate spiked again last year.
In the beginning, communication between players as well as training staffs will be crucial. Major league players have been barred from speaking with teams during the lockout. This is a particularly difficult situation for rehab workers who are trying to recover from injuries.
WHAT ABOUT FACILITIES & COACHES?
This is actually a simpler one. Minor league players have reported already, as the lockout was only for players on major league contracts. While they wait for the lockout to end, many minor league players have been working alongside coaches, trainers, and other staff members of major leagues. The majority of equipment required to run camps is also available.
WHEN WILL THEY GET STARTED TO PLAY GAMES
Although Commissioner Rob Manfred previously cancelled spring exhibitions up to March 18, some games could be added next week. Even though most major league players won’t be available for game action until camps officially open, minor league players could fill in rosters during the initial stages of the exhibition schedule. The businesses and ballparks of Arizona and Florida would love to see some games restored.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE FREE AGENTS?
Kris Bryant, Freddie Freeman, and Correa are the top three free agents still looking for a team following the lockout when rosters were frozen.
In the hours leading up to the lockout, teams spent a record $1.4 trillion on free agents — do you remember Marcus Semien and Corey Seager going to the Texas Rangers in those days? Javier Baez to Detroit Tigers?
However, there are still many stars who have not been assigned to a team and it is likely that there will be a fast-paced game of musical chairs. A few names to keep an eye on: Clayton Kershaw could be forced to choose between a reunion with Los Angeles Dodgers and a chance to remain close to home with the Rangers. Seiya Suzuki, a Japanese outfielder, was posted in November, but his 30-day signing window was interrupted by the lockout. Suzuki will have 20 days in which to reach a deal before the freeze expires.
