After first requesting involvement from a federal mediator rather than present the Players Association (MLBPA) with a counteroffer in collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, MLB did so during a negotiation session between the two sides on Saturday.
At the conclusion of the owners meetings in Orlando, commissioner Rob Manfred outlined areas where the league and union were aligned. He also added MLB would make a “good-faith” CBA proposal and were motivated to advance talks.
However, reaction from the Players Association on the counteroffer they received was not positive. Frustration remains high and the likelihood of Spring Training being delayed has only increased.
According to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, MLB only offered modest increases in the pre-arbitration bonus pool and the luxury tax thresholds over the lifetime of a new CBA:
The league proposed a $5 million increase to the pre-arbitration bonus pool, upping it to $15 million.
MLB raised the luxury-tax thresholds by $2 million in the final three years of five over the deal. They would now progress as $214 million, $214 million, $216 million, $218 million and $222 million.
MLB and the MLBPA additionally remain apart on the minimum salary, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers:
Previously, MLB had offered straight salaries of $615,000, $650,000 and $700,000 for zero- to 3-year players. On Saturday, it bumped up that final year to $725,000.
MLB also offered a new option: a straight minimum of $630,000 in the first year of the deal with the ability for teams to give raises as they see fit — as they have done in the past — in Years 2 and 3 before players hit arbitration. That also means players can be “renewed” for smaller raises.
Under previous CBA offers, MLB had set competitive balance tax thresholds at $214 million, $214 million, $214 million, $216 million and $220 million; a $615,000 minimum salary; and $10 million bonus pool for pre-arbitration players.
Manfred: MLB, MLBPA agree on universal DH and more
Also while speaking at the end of the owners meetings, Manfred said the league and players association were aligned on the issues of implementing a universal designated hitter, creating a Draft lottery system, increasing the minimum salary and bonus pool for pre-arbitration players.
However, MLB and the MLBPA remain at odds over numerous details. Chief among them being the union is seeking a $775,000 minimum salary and $100 million bonus pool for pre-arbitration players.
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