At this time, MLB is in the process of filing an offer to the players for a new collective bargaining agreement. If the two parties agree today, there could be a 162-game season.
And if the negotiations go well, it could stretch until tomorrow.
MLB hasn’t set a firm deadline today for the MLBPA to respond to the league’s latest proposal.
—Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 8, 2022
Not signing a deal would have big implications, like officially preventing a 162-game season.
That said, at the moment, without saying that an agreement is imminent, things are going quite well between MLB and the players, who seem to be approaching the common goal. Bob Nightengale, who has had good news for a week, believes in an agreement.
“I think we will have a deal done by tomorrow, I do” – @BNightengale
Bob gives @BenVerlander a VERY optimistic update on the MLB/MLBPA CBA negotiations! 🤞 pic.twitter.com/loqHzT8Z34
— Flippin’ Bats Podcast (@FlippinBatsPod) March 8, 2022
So what does the bosses’ offer contain? Let the informants guide us.
MLB would agree to raise the luxury tax threshold to $230 million for the next season and to $242 million in the fifth year of the agreement. That said, it wouldn’t be free.
MLB’s proposed luxury tax thresholds now start at $230 million and run to $242 million, sources tell me and @ByMcCullough. But there remain strings attached to CBT and other issues players are concerned with in MLB’s offer. Full proposal not immediately known.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022
I don’t think the 12-team series is in danger, but Rob Manfred would like to add another tier to the luxury tax, a fourth. Before, there were only three.
The additional threshold would be $60 million above the original threshold (so $290 million for 2022) and the club that exceeds it would be really punished hard.
MLB’s proposed 3rd CBT surcharge would be $60 million above base level in a given year. As was the case in the last CBA, the 1st surcharge would be $20 million over, the 2nd $40 million over.
Take MLB’s proposed 2022 as example:
Basis: $230m
1st: $250m
2nd: $270m
New 3rd: $290m— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022
Why ask this? To prevent Steve Cohen from deciding to spend like crazy and disrupting the market. It also targets the Dodgers a bit.
It is said however that if it is for the common good, Steve Cohen would agree with the idea.
MLB seeks to add a 4th tier for the very biggest spending teams that r way over the luxury tax threshold, to be taxed at the highest rate. This is likely to affect only Mets and Dodgers in ’22. Word is, Mets owner Steve Cohen is OK with it if MLB thinks it’s for the greater good.
—Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 9, 2022
For the players, this is a victory. After all, teams could spend quite a bit more.
MLB seems to be watering down its wine on issues like minimum wage and the pool of money for young players. Will this appeal to gamers?
MLB’s proposal, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal:
• Luxury tax thresholds: 230, 232, 236, 240, 242⁰
• Prearb pool: 40m, flat over time
• Pool counts against CBT (1.33m per team)
•Minimum salary: 700, 715, 730, 750, 770(cont’d)
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022
MLB’s written proposal has been submitted to the union. Everything remains fluid as they negotiate deep into the night:
_Luxury tax: $230 million that escalates to about $242 million.
_Minimum salary: $700,000 that escalates to about $770,000
_Pre-arbitration pool: $40 million— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 9, 2022
Note that the pool for young people would count, still according to the offer of the bosses, against the salary ceiling.
Don’t forget that this text is to summarize the bosses’ offer, which is much closer to the truth.
Midpoints as of 12 days ago:
Minimum salary: 2022 $707.5k 2026 $787.5k
CBT base thresholds: 2022 $229.5m 2026 $247.5m
Pre-arb bonus pool: 2022 $67.5mLatest reported MLB offer per @BNightengale :
Min: $700k to $770k in ’26
CBT: $230m to $242m in ’26
Bonus Pool: $40m— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) March 9, 2022
In return, MLB wants to introduce rules as it sees fit (during an off-season) such as “end of special defense and dial pitchers”.
She also wants an international draft.
In MLB’s proposal, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal, all rule changes MLB would want could be expedited, not just select ones like pitch clock, larger bases and shift. Can’t be expedited in season though — only in offseason
• Draft lottery at 6 picks. MLB was at 5 previously.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022
How will players respond to all of this? Will a work contract be signed?
To be continued.
- Allan Walsh believes that new agreements like the one with Apple will be announced once the conflict is behind us.
Spoke to someone in the baseball industry today who said MLB has several big revenue deals in the hopper. MLB is waiting for a new CBA with players to announce. Only reason Apple deal came to light is Apple disclosed MLB streaming deal at their event.
—Allan Walsh (@walsha) March 8, 2022
- The Mets want to add pieces. Can they?
(New daily feature: actual baseball news) Mets would still like to add another hitter (preferably lefthanded but not necessarily) and also another starting pitcher. Steve Cohen wants to win. Uncertain if a new luxury tax arrangement (presuming deal gets done) could affect plans,
—Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 9, 2022
