MLB, players’ union meeting for first CBA talks, sources say

Leaders of Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association met on Tuesday for their first official negotiation session, just over six months before the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expires, sources told ESPN.

The long-awaited meeting between the sides was the first attack on what many in the sport fear could be a controversial and protracted negotiation, with the possibility of strike action following the expiration of the current agreement on 1 December. The relationship between the league and the players has become belligerent over the past few years, and both sides have accused the other of operating in vain amid several attempts to achieve business.

The league and union declined to comment on the discussions.

At the same time, baseball has achieved unprecedented economic success amid more than a quarter-century of labor peace, and players and officials also continue to express the hope that the differences between the sides can be bridged during the next half year of discussions. Owners and players both understand that the $ 10 billion a year can be seriously harmed by a labor dispute.

The video conference meeting included dozens of people, including player leadership. It was the first negotiation session between the parties since the union turned down MLB’s offer for a full-pay break and shortened season, which includes extensive play-offs. Between these discussions and the failed negotiations on when to resume the delayed season in 2020, which led to Commissioner Rob Manfred implementing a 60-match season, mistrust between the sides deepened pessimism about the chances of a timely agreement. the game.

The negative feelings on the part of the players have diminished since the last basic agreement was introduced on 1 December 2016, and have further tipped the sport’s economy in favor of the teams. Player salaries have fallen for three consecutive seasons – and are expected to fall in 2021 as well. While the best players in the sport are still catching up – from the $ 300 million plus contracts of Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr., Francisco Lindor and Gerrit Cole to the $ 40 million salary this year for Trevor Bauer – MLB’s middle class has contracted significantly .

A overhaul of the basic economic system of baseball is highly unlikely, sources said, citing the limited amount of time to enter into an agreement and keep labor peace uninterrupted since 1995. The union nonetheless intends to pursue spending and competitive integrity – especially the promotion of competition by all teams – among its priorities with a new agreement. Players are also in favor of having to supply players with money earlier in their careers, the possibility of free agency before six years of service and a solution to – or at least a solution to – service-time manipulation.

MLB, whose efforts to halt an extensive post-season hiatus this season have been repulsed by the union, are expected to chase a bigger playing field than the ten teams that will compete in October. The league has also spent a lot of time and effort helping potential rule changes to increase and accelerate action in games, measures that can be considered at the negotiating table.