2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement Discussion Thread

[jerb]

 

Bob Nightengale

@BNightengale

 

MLB's written proposal has been submitted to the union. Everything remains fluid as they negotiate deep into the night:

_Luxury tax: $230 million that escalates to about $242 million.

_Minimum salary: $700,000 that escalates to about $770,000

_Pre-arbitration pool: $40 million

 

Andy Martino

@martinonyc

 

The "strings" attached to higher CBT thresholds remain in place and remain major, says person w direct knowledge of latest proposal. It's a gap that still must be bridged. Talks continue w/PA at their midtown headquarters and MLB at theirs.

[Ray]

Seems like a pretty strong offer, all things considered.

[BTS]

 

Bob Nightengale

@BNightengale

 

MLB's written proposal has been submitted to the union. Everything remains fluid as they negotiate deep into the night:

_Luxury tax: $230 million that escalates to about $242 million.

_Minimum salary: $700,000 that escalates to about $770,000

_Pre-arbitration pool: $40 million

 

Andy Martino

@martinonyc

 

The "strings" attached to higher CBT thresholds remain in place and remain major, says person w direct knowledge of latest proposal. It's a gap that still must be bridged. Talks continue w/PA at their midtown headquarters and MLB at theirs.

 

This seems very fair

[connorp]

 

Nobody is buying 8 guys hitting 50hr, so increase the action with sb, IF hits, reduce the shifts…gotta cancel out the K’s somehow

[jerb]

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

MLB’s proposal, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal:

 

• Luxury tax thresholds: 230, 232, 236, 240, 242

 

• Prearb pool: 40m, flat over time

• Pool counts against CBT (1.33m per team)

•Minimum salary: 700, 715, 730, 750, 770

 

(cont’d)

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

A big issue, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal: MLB wants to add a new surchage level to the luxury tax. Right now, there are three levels: base, first surcharge, and second surcharge. Now MLB wants to put in a third to deter owners who have a mind to spend well above the pack.

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

Another major part of MLB’s proposal: MLB is tying removal of the qualifying offer to instituting an international draft.

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

In MLB’s proposal, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal, all rule changes MLB would want could be expedited, not just select ones like pitch clock, larger bases and shift. Can’t be expedited in season though — only in offseason

 

• Draft lottery at 6 picks. MLB was at 5 previously.

[saskjayfan]

How does this not get it done?

[BTS]

I really like the limit on options.

 

[glory]

If the players don't accept this, then I really won't fault the owners at all. Nothing seems unreasonable, and some of it looks really good for the players compared to the last CBA and/or previous proposals.

[jerb]

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

Some other details of MLB proposal:

 

• Players can be optioned max 5 times before being exposed to waivers

• Small markets can pick in draft lottery for two straight years before sliding to 10th pick.

• Large markets can pick only one year in lottery before going to 10th

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

On service time, with @Ken_Rosenthal:

 

• Top 2 Rookie of Year vote getters can get a full year of service.

 

• A team that brings up a player for Opening Day can net 3 draft picks over time, one pick per year, if that player does well in voting

[jerb]

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

A big issue, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal: MLB wants to add a new surchage level to the luxury tax. Right now, there are three levels: base, first surcharge, and second surcharge. Now MLB wants to put in a third to deter owners who have a mind to spend well above the pack.

 

Evan Drellich

@EvanDrellich

 

MLB’s proposed 3rd CBT surcharge would be $60 million above base level in a given year. As was the case in the last CBA, the 1st surcharge would be $20 miillion over, the 2nd $40 million over.

 

Take MLB’s proposed 2022 as example:

Base: $230m

1st: $250m

2nd: $270m

New 3rd: $290m

[jerb]

 

Jon Heyman

@JonHeyman

 

MLB seeks to add a 4th tier for the very biggest spending teams that r way over the luxury tax threshold, to be taxed at the highest rate. This is likely to affect only Mets and Dodgers in ‘22. Word is, Mets owner Steve Cohen is OK with it if MLB thinks it’s for the greater good.

[Abomination]

Honestly, if the levels are going to start THAT high, is there really any reason to even bother having it?

[BTS]

Of course the players might actually tank this

 

[saskjayfan]

Of course the players might actually tank this

 

 

This is a high stakes game of chicken and the owners could reverse course and the season could be lost.

[Abomination]

Of course the players might actually tank this

 

 

If the players don't think THAT deal is close, then I don't see us watching baseball this year. I really don't think the owners can go much higher.

[BTS]

This also favours the players

 

[jerb]

Ben Nicholson-Smith

@bnicholsonsmith

 

Could be another late night of CBA talks. Some players encouraged by MLB’s movement on core economic issues, source tells me & @ShiDavidi. But negotiations continue and further internal meetings expected tonight

 

Ben Nicholson-Smith

@bnicholsonsmith

 

International Draft now a major question, source tells me and @ShiDavidi. MLBPA believed to be in touch with Latin players to help determine next steps here. MLB seeks int’l draft but players have opposed in past.

 

Ben Nicholson-Smith

@bnicholsonsmith

 

Sources describe the international draft as the biggest issue with owners pushing hard for it at the moment.

 

Owners are tying qualifying offers to int'l draft. Players really want to get rid of QO system, which they see as a major drag on free agency. Perhaps $100M+ per year.

[jerb]

 

MLB has indicated they're willing to work all night after issuing a proposal earlier today. Players, meanwhile, are talking internally. Debate re. international draft ongoing.

 

Likely MLBPA will counter tonight.

[InsideThePark]

Can someone please explain to me why they haven't seemed to even consider keeping the QO system but the pick given to the team losing the player is a new pick entirely, the signing team doesn't give up any picks. It seems like the obvious solution. MLB has been more than willing to add picks with the competitive balance rounds that exist, and in that scenario the signing team doesn't give up anything so there's no leverage issue that the players have been concerned about. They're not stupid so obviously it has to be something that's been considered so why don't they want to go that route?

[RobinThicc]

Seems like the common ground is that both sides are fine with f***ing international free agents

[Spanky99]

Seems like the common ground is that both sides are fine with f***ing international free agents

 

This is false.

[Abomination]

Can someone please explain to me why they haven't seemed to even consider keeping the QO system but the pick given to the team losing the player is a new pick entirely, the signing team doesn't give up any picks. It seems like the obvious solution. MLB has been more than willing to add picks with the competitive balance rounds that exist, and in that scenario the signing team doesn't give up anything so there's no leverage issue that the players have been concerned about. They're not stupid so obviously it has to be something that's been considered so why don't they want to go that route?

 

It incentivizes teams not to resign their own players.

[Stangstag]

At least this seems like both sides are close??

[InsideThePark]

It incentivizes teams not to resign their own players.

 

Wild idea. Team QO's a player, if he declines the team gets the pick regardless of whether he resigns or not. Maximum of a team getting 1 pick per player to avoid continuous 1 year deals to get a pick every year. Maybe you can put in some has to be a multi year deal clause to avoid teams QOing a borderline player, having them "decline" and then sign them to the exact same deal anyway for 1 year just to game the system.

 

Teams get rewarded for developing players worth a QO. Get compensation for them when they leave, but also get it if they stay.

 

It's probably ridiculous but I've liked the QO comp pick system and will be sad to see it go.

[glory]

If the players don't think THAT deal is close, then I don't see us watching baseball this year. I really don't think the owners can go much higher.

 

Yeah if there's no deal today/this morning, then I don't think there will be one any time soon. If no deal this week, then you can add salary/service time during shortened season to the list of things they'd have to bargain/agree to. It's only going to get worse if they can't agree today.

[RobinThicc]

This is false.

You think a group of players not in the mlbpa will end up being the reason this lockout keeps going. I soubt it.

 

Id be shocked if there isnt an international draft.

[BTS]

I'm not really sure why Tatis (and some other player) are so opposed to an international draft. Many players and former players do support it, and it seems to eliminate a good bit of the predatory behaviour that's currently going on, while not taking any money off the table.

 

[jerb]

 

Bob Nightengale

@BNightengale

 

If an agreement is reached today, the tentative plan is for Opening Day to be April 6-7, with the regular season extended by three days. The other missed games from the week-long delay would be made up in doubleheaders during the season.

[Stangstag]

 

Bob Nightengale

@BNightengale

 

If an agreement is reached today, the tentative plan is for Opening Day to be April 6-7, with the regular season extended by three days. The other missed games from the week-long delay would be made up in doubleheaders during the season.

 

Plz Tony

[Carlos Danger]

What is a double header in the 2022 season? 7 & 7 or 9 & 9?

 

Thanks