While the MLB offseason is very much centered around the annual Winter Meetings, this year focus is also on the collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA, which has put into place December 2011, is set to expire Thursday, Dec. 1.
There’s a widespread belief that trades and free agent signings haven’t entered full swing because of the possibility of a potential lockout. A recent report indicated MLB and the players’ union were at odds over multiple issues and a stoppage appeared a realistic possibility.
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, recent talks between the MLB and union have been productive:
Two sources who had spoken with both sides told ESPN.com on Wednesday that they now sense there is “a path to a deal,” following negotiations Tuesday that stretched into the night.
While a lockout in December wouldn’t necessarily equate to regular-season games lost, free agency and offseason transactions would not transpire until a new CBA was in place. The last MLB lockout came in 1994.
During negotiations when a new CBA was last agreed upon, there were significant changes made, including adjustments to free agency, the draft and international amateur free agency.
Among the topics on the table this winter are changes to signing international free agents, the qualifying offer process, testing for performance-enhancing drugs, and expanding active rosters while decreasing the number of players on the roster come September.
