JUPITER (Fla.) — Day 2 of the in-person meetings between Major League Baseball’s and the MLBPA this week produced no progress towards a new collective agreement, while the league considered the day a step back.
However, the union lowered their offer for players to enter arbitration after 2 years. This was from 80 percent to 75 percent for most players. They countered this by asking for more in their minimum wage structure.
The union requested $30,000 per year instead of $25,000 minimum wage increases. The Super 2 issue was not a priority for the league so they saw the combination of tweaks as moving away from an agreement and not towards one. The league claims they don’t possess the votes necessary to expand Super 2 beyond 22 percent of current users. Therefore, the union can request any amount they want but it won’t be granted.
Roger Dean Stadium, where the talks were held again, was the site of this year’s discussions. St. Louis Cardinals Miami Marlins train.
For three hours, League officials met with their counterparts at the MLBPA and a group of players on Tuesday. The sides met on Monday and then went their separate ways, but nothing came of it. The league actually brought up the idea to use a federal mediator. However, they were rebuffed by the union for the second consecutive time in two weeks.
Although the topic of the competitive balance tax was brought up during conversations, neither party made any new proposals. It’s possible to make a difference if each side has a new offer or idea.
The union’s Tuesday modification to the minimum wage structure produced a new model. Minimum salary for Year 1 would have been $775,000. The minimum in Year 1 would be $775,000. It would rise to $805,000 in Years 2, $835,000 Year 3, $865,000 Year 4, $865,000 Year 4 and $895,000 Year 5. In 2022, the league will offer a minimum of $630,000.
On Wednesday, the sides will again meet as spring training is put on hold until a new collective agreement is reached. Opening Day is rapidly approaching and there will be a deadline for players to participate.
The majority of those involved agree that players require approximately four weeks’ worth of spring training in order to be fully prepared for the season.