The MLB went into lockdown for the first time since 1990 after the league and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) failed to strike a new labor agreement.
A lockout was long overdue after months of fruitless negotiations over a new collective agreement (CBA).
After a flurry of high-profile free agency deals, the MLB confirmed a lockout after the collective agreement expired on Wednesday.
As of Thursday, employees will not be able to work until a new deal is reached, with team managers and players unable to communicate in any way.
A player strike forced the abandonment of the 1994 World Series and that lasted until 1995, but that 26-year deal has now ended.
In a letter to fans, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wrote midweek: “Last season we were reminded how the national pastime can bring us together and restore our hope despite the difficult challenges of ‘a global pandemic. As we began to emerge from one of the darkest times in our history, our stadiums were filled with fans; the games were filled with excitement; and millions of families felt the joy of watching baseball together.
“This is why I am so disappointed with the situation our game finds itself in today. Despite the league’s best efforts to strike a deal with the Players’ Association, we were unable to extend our 26th birthday. history of labor peace and come to an agreement with the MLBPA before the expiration of the current collective agreement. As a result, we were forced to start a lockout of Major League players, effective at 12 a.m. 1 am ET Dec 2.
“I want to explain to you how we got here and why we need to take this step today. Simply put, we believe an offseason lockdown is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope the lockdown will restart negotiations. and come to an agreement that will allow the season to start on time. This defensive lockout was necessary because the Players’ Association’s vision for Major League Baseball would threaten the ability of most teams to compete. “This is just not a viable option. From the start, the MLBPA has not been willing to stray from its starting position, compromise or collaborate on solutions.”
“When we began negotiations on a new deal, the Players’ Association already had a contract that they would not trade for any other in the sport. Baseball players do not have a salary cap and are not subject maximum term or dollar amount on contracts. In In fact, only MLB guaranteed contracts with a term of 10 years or more and over $ 300 million. We did not offer anything that can change these fundamentals. Although we have heard repeatedly that free agency is “broken” – as of November $ 1.7 billion was committed for free agents, breaking the previous record of nearly 4 billion dollars. By the end of the offseason, clubs will have committed more money to players than in any offseason in MLB history.
“We have worked hard to find a compromise while further improving the system for the players, addressing the concerns raised by the Players Association. We have proposed establishing a minimum payroll for all clubs to meet for the first time in baseball history; to enable the majority of players to achieve free agency earlier through an age-based system that would eliminate any claims of service time manipulation; and to increase the remuneration of all young players, including increases in the minimum wage. When negotiations ran out of momentum, we tried to create some by offering to accept the Universal Designated Hitter, create a new draft system using a lottery similar to other leagues, and raise the threshold for the competitive equilibrium tax which affects only a small number of teams.
“We have had difficulties in reaching collective agreements before and have overcome these challenges every time during my tenure. Sadly, it looks like the Players Association came to the bargaining table with a strategy of confrontation rather than compromise. set of the most extreme proposals in their history, including significant cuts to the revenue sharing system, a weakening of the competitive balance tax and a shortening of the period of time that players play for their teams. All of these changes would make our game less competitive, not more.
“To be clear: this difficult but important step does not necessarily mean that the matches will be called off. In fact, we are taking this step now because it accelerates the urgency of a deal with as much lead as possible to avoid harming the 2022 season Delaying this process any further would only further endanger spring training, opening day and the rest of the season – and we can’t allow an expired deal to cause a strike again in the process. season and a missed world series, as we experienced in 1994 We owe all of you, our fans, better than this.
“Today is a tough day for baseball, but like I have said all year, there is a path to a fair deal, and we will find it. I have no doubt that the League and the Players share a fundamental appreciation for this game and a commitment to its fans. I remain optimistic that both sides will seize the opportunity to work together to develop, protect and strengthen the game we love. MLB stands ready to work tirelessly to achieve this goal . I urge the Players’ Association to join us at the table. “
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