I would like to tell you that the labor dispute is progressing. That the return to the game is imminent. That the 2022 season will be significant.
But right now, I can’t.
Why? Because even if there are meetings that take place, the progress is very slim. On both sides, there is a big lack of flexibility in the negotiations.
The proof? Today, players responded to the bosses’ “ultimate offer” with this.
Last time, MLB did not move on CBT. Therefore, PA responded in kind with no change.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) March 6, 2022
As you can see, the minimum wage, the luxury tax threshold, the refusal to institute an international draft and the 12-team series are all aspects where the MLBPA refused to make concessions.
Players have lowered the money pool a bit for players who don’t yet have access to arbitration.
The big change is arguably the fact that players would allow MLB to mandate, in 2023, the end of special defense, pitching dials and bigger bases.
For the robot referees, it’s no, on the other hand.
– Union willing to consider pitch clock, banning shift and bigger bases for 2023, as #MLB wants. Players are a no on robo-umps however.
—David Lennon (@DPLennon) March 6, 2022
That’s why there is some progress. After all, if the players haven’t moved on the economic level, there are nevertheless advances on the level of baseball as such.
I was just talking, earlier today, about the fact that the bosses want to be able to impose a dial for pitchers.
MLB wants to impose a dial for pitchers
We are talking about 14 when the bases are empty and 19 seconds when there is at least one runner on the bases.
There will be more negotiations tomorrow, which is the good news.
Theoretically, it’s MLB’s turn to retaliate. Will this be done tomorrow? Will it be via a ridiculous offer too? That remains to be seen.
