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Following the 11th discussion of the day, with MLB lead negotiator Dan Halem as the centerpiece for the league, Bob Nightengale has officially sounded the alarm. We have more movement than we’ve had in months, and baseball may soon be back.
The players have agreed to an expanded postseason situation that adds two teams, less than the league’s desire for a total of 14. The league has also agreed to a Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) structure similar to the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which sunset following the expiration of that deal.
We don’t yet have an announcement of “Play Ball” by Commissioner Rob Manfred, but also are trending away from the cancellation of up to a month’s worth of games that was suggested earlier in the day. We are about to turn the page on February, and Spring Training games have been cancelled, but the hope would be that this is where the tide turns.
It appears numbers continue needing to be exchanged regarding the pre-arbitration bonus pool. Something in the $20-$40 million range could make sense with the players conceding on two addition Postseason teams. There's a path forward but no agreed upon figure at this point.
No matter what official updates trickle out, or how much is agreed to in principle, the CBA doesn't become legal until ratified. From the league's vantage point that requires "yes" votes from 23 of the 30 owners. Opposition from just eight organizations could hold up the sport.
Although the February 28th deadline has past on the East Coast, it's still alive and well everywhere else. Rob Manfred and MLB looks to be desiring a resolution yet tonight. Lots of work being done by both sides following the 42 day waiting period imposed by the league after December 2.
No sleep til Brooklyn! Or at least until MLB has a deal done it seems.
A 12th meeting took place with four members, including Dick Monfort, from the owners contingent heading over to the union side. Things are progressing, but as Nightengale notes, there's still plenty to iron out.
The 12th meeting between the league and players was easily the longest of the night. Lots of moving pieces right now.
Is 13 lucky or unlucky? We've reached the next meeting and now the discussion has evolved to bring in rule changes such as shift restrictions. At this point it seems the sides are making these conversations comprehensive. The luxury tax is also rising something like $20 million at this stage, which is a multiple of 20 over what the league proposed in their last deal.
Here’s some industry perspective to start off deadline day 2.0. We don’t have a deal yet, but maybe, possibly?
The players have bent quite a bit regarding the Super 2 eligibility and that could wind up being a point of contention today. More than rule changes, this has an opportunity to blow things up today.
Here's some context on how the expanded postseason would work. It's going to water down regular season competition regardless, but it's good to note that there will be an emphasis put on the winningest records.
The league continues to push for a 14 team postseason, but this would water down the impact of the regular season. Players don’t want that as it would lessen the incentive to compete through spending in the offseason. The additional two teams are also a future bargaining chip. According to New York Post’s Andrew Marchand the difference in revenue from ESPN comes out to little more than $500k per team. That should be a pretty insignificant amount.
The first movement of the day has commenced!
The first proposal of the day has happened. Less than three hours until MLB’s new deadline.
This is opinion, but the union lowering their ask on the bonus pool at this juncture seems more about gaining additional funds than it does closing the gap. This is a positive step towards resolution in my mind.
And now it may all be for nothing? Or posturing? Or tempting how far we can push tiredness?
Certainly sounds like the owners aren’t up for another late night and it’s in the union’s court at this point. Maybe a take it or leave it offer.
Less than three hours until Rob Manfred’s newly imposed deadline and all progress from yesterday appears lost. The union may need to stand strong in the face of cancelled games to force action.
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