It has now been two and a half months since MLB declared a lockout following the expiration of the labor contract between the league and the Players Association. And yet, a few weeks before the start of the season, it still seems very far from an agreement.
I confess that, like Ken Rosenthal, I’m starting to get used to the idea that the season will start late.
Ken Rosenthal not optimistic for the start of the season
The journalist believes that the chances of seeing the season start on time are practically nil.
In fact, what seems to be a big point of contention between the two parties is the remuneration of young players. Whether they are the young stars or the players of the minors, they pocket almost derisory salaries which, in some cases, are close to the minimum wage.
And considering that the owners of organizations have deep pockets, there has to be a fine balance in that.
However, according to what ESPN has learned, we could be downright backtracking on the file. In fact, MLB would like to cut back to the minor leagues (again), this time at the level of players that teams can have in their organization.
Major League Baseball asked for the ability to eliminate hundreds of minor league playing jobs in its latest labor proposal, sources told ESPN. The league would not be allowed to implement the plan until after 2022.
Details, free and unlocked, at ESPN: https://t.co/ZkKNE7LhsG
—Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 15, 2022
In fact, as Jeff Passan explains, teams can currently have 180 minor league players under contract. However, MLB wants to give itself the right to cut fat, even decreasing to less than 150 within a few years if necessary.
What disturbs me in this story is to see the relentlessness of MLB in wanting to continue to cut in the development systems. Already that the players are underpaid, we also want to give ourselves the luxury of cutting positions if we ever feel the need.
And considering that the league doesn’t even want to pay minor players during training camps, I think we’ll “feel the need” quickly.
MLB won’t pay underage players during camp
This shows that major league baseball doesn’t care about young players. This is not good for collective bargaining.
This really doesn’t smell good. The two parties have entrenched positions and, rather than getting closer, they are constantly drifting apart.
We are even going to play in the number of times a player can be demoted in the minors right now.
MLB has proposed limiting the number of times a player can be optioned in a season to 5. The players have proposed limiting to 4, and the players are also concerned about what else comes along with MLB’s proposal to limit to 5. It has other changes attached to it.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 12, 2022
Note that this offer will obviously be refused by the players.
I hope this will all be settled soon (and that the young players will make significant gains), but I think we will have to be patient. Right now, I sincerely expect a shortened season unless there’s a drastic change in direction imminently.
