A bargaining session between Major League Baseball and the players’ union lasted just 15 minutes Thursday and produced little progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.
The union offered adjustments to its arbitration demands while asking MLB for more money in a pre-arbitration bonus fund, according to the sources.
The parties met on the 78th day of the lockout and a day after spring training was supposed to begin.
In its new proposal, the union requested that 80% of players with two years of service enter the arbitration system, up from a previous request of 100%. Currently, 22% of second-year players, known as Super 2s, enter arbitration.
Under the new offer, 20% of the second-year players would remain in pre-arbitration, but the union also increased its request to $115 million in the pre-arbitration bonus pool for the top 150 players. MLB is offering $15 million to the top 30 players, based on WAR.
Previously, the union had asked for $100 million in the common fund, but also wanted all players with two years of service to go to arbitration.
Arbitration is just a major issue that needs to be resolved before an agreement can be reached. Players are also unhappy with MLB’s offers regarding the competitive balance tax, as the sides remain far apart on thresholds and penalties.
The issue of minimum player salaries is also a major hurdle to a deal.
The owners imposed a lockout on the players on December 2 after the last collective agreement expired. With spring games scheduled to start on February 26, there is a fleeting hope that a game will be played in Arizona or Florida this month. Spring camps must open in early March for the regular season to start on time.
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Sources: Little progress in MLB-MLBPA labor talks