Nine consecutive days of meetings between MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) failed to produce a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by the March 1 deadline, which prompted commissioner Rob Manfred to cancel Opening Day and the first two series of the regular season.
Manfred reiterated the lost games would not be rescheduled and players wouldn’t be paid for them.
“Rob Manfred and MLB’s owners have cancelled the start of the season. Players and fans around the world who love baseball are disgusted, but sadly not surprised,” the union said in a statement after the announcement.
“From the beginning of these negotiations, Players’ objectives have been consistent — to promote competition, provide compensation for young Players, and to uphold the integrity of our market system. Against the backdrop of growing revenues and record profits, we are seeking nothing more than a fair agreement.
“What Rob Manfred characterized as a ‘defensive lockout’ is, in fact, the culmination of a decades-long attempt by owners to break our Player fraternity. As in the past, this effort will fail. We are united and committed to negotiating a fair deal that will improve the sport for Players, fans and everyone who loves our game.”
How far apart are MLB and MLBPA?
Despite reports of progress in negotiations late Monday night, significant differences remained in setting the luxury tax thresholds and establishing a pre-arbitration bonus pool, among other key areas.
The union sought a competitive balance tax line of $238 million for the 2022 season and increase to $263 million by the final year of the CBA.
In what MLB deemed their best and final offer, the luxury tax threshold was proposed at $220 million for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons; then $224 million in 2025 and $230 million in 2026.
The luxury tax threshold was set at $210 million in 2021.
With the pre-arbitration bonus pool, the MLBPA lowered their ask from $115 million to $85 million, but with $5 million annual increases. The league topped out at $30 million.
Minimum salary is yet another discrepancy, with the Players Association at $725,000 and increasing throughout the CBA. MLB has offered a $700,000 minimum salary and topping out at $740,000 over the course of the agreement.
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