Players reject MLB owners’ last proposal as season will be delayed

MLB players on Tuesday voted unanimously to reject the final proposal from the league’s owners for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, putting the start of the 2022 season in jeopardy.

The league had set a Feb. 28 deadline to reach an agreement on a new CBA in order to begin the 2022 season on time. The two sides negotiated all day and night on Monday and reportedly made progress in their talks. They reconvened on Tuesday and continued to negotiate.

The owners submitted a final proposal and gave the players a 5pm ET deadline to accept the deal. The players unanimously rejected the proposal.

Evan Drellich outlined some of the terms of the recent negotiations.

MLBPA’s most recent CBT proposal (MLB’s most recent in parenths for comparison):

2022: $238m (220)
2023: $244m (220)
2024: $250m (220)
2025: $256m (224)
2026: $263m (230)

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 1, 2022

Drellich shared the terms of MLB’s final offer.

MLB’s best, final offer before pulling down games, per MLBPA official:
• Pre-arb bonus pool of $30 million, up $5 million from before
• No change on CBT thresholds (220/220/220/224/230)
• Minimum salary starting at $700k, going to $740k over course of deal. PA starts $725k

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 1, 2022

The players would be receiving an increase in the minimum salary to $700,000. The Competitive Balance Tax would remain at $220 million for the next three years. The owners would also be introducing a completely new $30 million bonus pool for players who are pre-arbitration.

MLB has also made other changes, such as the removal of draft pick compensation tied to signing free agents; introducing a draft lottery; introducing the universal DH; using pitch clocks and eliminating shifts. Playoffs would expand from 10 to 12 teams.

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