Negotiations have yet to resume since MLB’s deadline for canceling regular season games came and went on Monday. A new report claims, however, that the players are ready to come back to the bargaining table with a significant concession.
The MLBPA is willing to put a 14-team playoff back on the table, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. The players believe this could be a bargaining chip used to get compromise from owners on other key financial issues.
Sources: As the two sides look to jump-start the CBA talks, the union has approached MLB with an offer to re-open talks on the 14-team postseason field, with the idea it can exchange this for more flexibility on the CBT numbers and other issues.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 4, 2022
A 14-team playoff has been a major goal of owners during labor negotiations. Players had balked, fearing that it could lead to more mediocre teams in the playoffs, which could subsequently disincentivize spending on player contracts. Reports indicated that owners had been willing to accept a 12-team playoff in final negotiations.
Plenty of damage has already been done as CBA negotiations have been unsuccessful. Perhaps this could ensure that the lockout’s impact on regular season games could be limited, but it remains to be seen how receptive owners would be to such a proposal.
Photo: Jun 21, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Major League Baseball Player Association executive director Tony Clark speaks during a presentation at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
