MLB lockout: Delay to season looms with little progress in talks

If it wasn't clear already, spring training isn't going to start on time next week as scheduled.

And following Saturday's labor meeting between MLB and the players union, an on-time start to the regular season appears to be in serious doubt too.

MLB and union met in New York on Saturday as the league made its latest economic proposal, which "underwhelmed" the union, according to The Athletic's Evan Drellich.

The meeting has ended. Union officials are underwhelmed. MLB made a large proposal (compiling some previous ones) on economics & otherwise. Pre-arb bonus pool went up $5 million, to $15m. Slight increases to CBT thresholds, no changes to CBT tax rates. Players will fully review.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 12, 2022

Multiple reports characterized the meeting — the fifth of the league-implemented lockout — as making little progress in labor negotiations.

According to reports, MLB made a 130-page proposal that includes slight increases to the luxury tax threshold from previous negotiations, as well as two proposals to increase the minimum player salary.

On league minimum salary, MLB made two proposals. One for a flat amount of $630,000 (and teams could pay more if they wish).

Or tiered proposal with an increase in year 3: now, $615k for 0-1 service time, $650k for 1-2 yrs, $725k for 2-3 yrs. Increase is in 2-3: used to be 700k
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 12, 2022

MLB presented a 130-page proposal, raising the minimum salary to $630,000 and the CBT to $222 million in 2026. The union's last proposal was a minimum salary of $775,000 and a $245 million CBT beginning now. So yes, spring training will be delayed.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 12, 2022

MLB also modified its proposal regarding teams surrendering draft picks for exceeding each of the three luxury tax tiers. Teams would still lose a second- and first-round pick for exceeding the second and third tier, respectively, but no longer would surrender a third-round pick for exceeding the first tier.

The league also increased its proposal regarding a pre-arbitration bonus pool for productive young players from $10 million to $15 million — still miles apart from the union's last proposal of $100 million.

Tax rates are still 50, 75, 100 for the 3 tiers of the CBT. MLB had previously proposed that if you go over 1st tier, you give up a 3rd round pick: 2nd tier, 2nd round pick; 3rd tier, 1st round

Now: no pick surrrendered for going over tier 1. Same picks given up for tier 2 and 3
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 12, 2022

-Offer included a raise in the minimum for 2+ players, from $700k to $725K. So now would be $615/650/725. OR League offered a straight minimum for first year players of $630k and old system after that.
-Proposal also included a 5 mil bump in the pre arb pool, from 10 to 15 mil.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 12, 2022

There's also still a wide gap between the league and union's luxury tax and minimum salary proposals. The union has proposed a $245 million luxury tax threshold and a $775,000 minimum salary.

MORE: MLB lockout: The big issue? It’s the luxury tax, stupid

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Spring training has long been expected to be delayed, and now that's all but official with camps scheduled to start opening on Tuesday.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday the league estimated at least four weeks would be needed for camps whenever an agreement is reached. He also said he anticipated less than a week between an agreement and camps opening.

That puts the final days of February as a de facto deadline for an agreement in order for Opening Day to start on March 31 as scheduled.

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