Topline
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday he thinks an agreement will be reached with the MLB Players Association on a new contract in time to allow the regular season to kick off as scheduled March 31, as the lockout enters its third month.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred answers questions during an MLB owner’s meeting at … [+]
Getty Images
Key Facts
Manfred said during a Thursday press conference, “I believe we will have an agreement in time to play our regular-season schedule.”
He qualified that expectation by saying he’s an optimist, and for good reason: MLB owners locked out players December 2 when the league’s collective bargaining agreement expired, and the two sides reportedly remain far apart on reaching a new deal.
Though spring training’s February 16 start date is nearly guaranteed to be delayed, Manfred said he expects a four-week spring training following an agreement, meaning a deal would need to be reached by the beginning of March, not including a potential gap to complete the league’s free agency period.
Key Background
MLB is hoping to avoid its first missed games due to labor problems since 1994-95, when a strike resulted in the cancellation of the 1994 postseason. One of the biggest areas of disagreement between owners and players isover the complicated salary structure for younger players. Last week, MLB asked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist negotiations, but the players rejected the offer. U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh offered this week to help with negotiations between the two sides, The Athletic reported Monday. The next bargaining session between the owners and players will be Saturday.
Surprising Fact
MLB agreed to players’ request to implement a universal designated hitter, Manfred said Thursday. Previously only the American League had designated hitters, save for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Further Reading
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh Offers Help To End MLB Lockout (Forbes)
MLB Reportedly Seeks Government Help To Resolve Lockout As Opening Day Looms (Forbes)
As MLB Nears Likely Lockout, Here’s How Long Prior Sports Stoppages Have Lasted (Forbes)
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Education News Click Here
