Report: MLB likely to have regular season games canceled

After a brief bit of optimism on Friday, talks between MLB and the MLBPA have reportedly taken a turn for the worse on Saturday.

The MLBPA delivered a counterproposal for a new labor agreement on Saturday that was poorly received by owners, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. With a league-imposed Monday deadline looming to guarantee Opening Day proceeds as scheduled, “multiple officials” see it as unlikely a deal will be done on time.

MLB did not respond well to the union's proposal, sources tell ESPN. There are two days left to get a deal, but opening day remains in significant jeopardy. Multiple officials believe a deal will not get done by the league's Monday deadline to cancel games.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2022

While not a major surprise, the update is certainly a very disappointing one. Both sides have been negotiating daily and will continue to do so, but little progress has been made on the key economic issues that have the two sides at odds.

MLB has made clear that it is serious about its threat to cancel games, and has consistently treated Monday as a firm deadline to get something done. That resolve will be tested, but there is no indication anyone is backing down at this point.

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