MLB on Wednesday announced the cancelation of more games this season.
The league said in a statement that they were canceling two more series this season. This comes a week after they canceled the first two series of the season following a week of negotiations with the players that did not result in a deal.
Based on the recent cancelation, the new Opening Day will be April 14.
https://twitter.com/MarlyRiveraESPN/status/1501702666107465736
According to reports, the latest hitch in negotiations is over the issue of a draft for international players. Currently, teams have limited pools of money they can use to sign international free agents. However, MLB would like to have an international draft.
Per union source, MLB told PA it would counter on all issues today, but now league is saying it will do that only if union agrees to one of three options regarding int’l draft. League source disputes that account.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 9, 2022
MLB reportedly gave the players association three options for an international draft. The players rejected the options and sent back a counterproposal, which resulted in MLB’s announcement.
The players reportedly wanted a concession from the owners if they agreed to an international draft, and the owners were prepared to eliminate qualifying offers.
The international draft appears to be the last big remaining obstacle to reach a labor deal today. MLB badly seeks it, and will eliminate all qualifying offers for free agents in return. The union still is opposed as it receives input from players, former players and agents.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 9, 2022
In a separate issue, the MLBPA apparently made some concessions and lowered its demands for the pre-arbitration bonus pool and the Competitive Balance Tax limits.
Source: MLBPA proposal today moved to $65 million on prearbitration pool and $232m, $235m, $240m, $245m, $250m on CBT thresholds over the deal.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022
By canceling more games, the owners are putting pressure on the players to accept a deal. The longer this goes on, the more money the players stand to lose that they won’t be able to earn back.
Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
