Union responds to MLB in new meeting

Less than a week after Major League Baseball submitted a series of proposals in hopes of opening a path to a new labor agreement (CBA), the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) responded Tuesday with minimal movement on a number of topics.

According to sources consulted, the MLBPA offered to reduce its figure for a fund destined to distribute bonuses to pre-arbitration players from US$105 million to US$100 million. MLB had offered to create a $10 million fund – one that would have rewarded the most productive players among that group of players ineligible for arbitration – financed by the league, using the framework initially presented by the MLBPA.

MLB had put forward the proposal for a pre-arbitration player bonus fund in an effort to create a bridge to a new deal, but Tuesday’s response resulted in minimal progress on that topic.

Under the league’s proposal, the plan would see NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes’ salary go from $608,000 to $2.34 million last year, while second place in MVP voting of the American League, the Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr., would have seen an increase of US$635,400 to US$1,843 million. Other players prior to the arbitration, including Austin Riley, Jonathan India (NL Rookie of the Year) and Cuban Randy Arozarena (AL Rookie of the Year), would have had their salaries increased by 200%.

According to sources consulted, the MLBPA said Tuesday that it was open to the proposal to reward teams with draft spots for keeping the best prospects on the roster for the entire season, part of MLB’s plan to prevent the alleged cases. service time manipulation.

But while the union has been receptive to the league’s idea, the MLBPA also wants to incorporate its own plan to combat the problem: a system that awards arbitration-ineligible players a full year of service based on how they finish on the ballot. for individual awards and their position in the WAR leaders for their respective positions.

According to sources, the MLBPA remains uncompromising on a couple of key issues: eligibility for Super Two status – the union wants all players with two years of service to be eligible for arbitration, not just the 22% with the most of time of service, as is currently the case – and a reduction in the distribution of profits. MLB has made it clear from the beginning of the negotiations that these two points are not negotiable for the owners.

Other issues still under discussion are the minimum wage and the competitive balance tax threshold, points that were not touched upon during Tuesday’s meeting.

Among previous MLB proposals, the league has offered to eliminate draft compensation for free agents; a system that has been in place since 1976.

Other issues addressed in MLB’s latest proposals include issues related to players’ desire to incentivize competition: an NBA-style draft lottery, postseason expansion and the addition of the universal designated hitter.

MLB’s plan to expand the postseason would also increase player earnings in the playoffs by an estimated $20 million, with 60% of first-round earnings going to them. A lottery for the top three picks in the draft would also be an incentive for teams not to look to lose on purpose to benefit their draft spot. Also, a team will not be able to have a lottery pick in the Draft for three years in a row.