Representatives from the commissioner’s office at MLB and their counterparts at the MLBPA met Tuesday in NYC to start what is “expected to be a lengthy negotiation process en route to a new labor deal,” according to a source cited by The Athletic. This first meeting was “not for formal proposals,” but rather “opening presentations.” The players and owners were “expected to lay out their view of the sport’s current operation.” In subsequent meetings, the parties will “make formal proposals on economics and other issues.” The league is “expected to propose a salary cap and salary floor,” which players in the past have “vehemently fought against.” The current CBA expires at 11:59pm ET on Dec. 1, and if a new deal is not in place by then, owners are “likely to lock out the players,” just as they did five years ago. But the likelihood of a deal by December “seems low.” The more “salient question is whether a contract will be reached in time to preserve a full season in 2027.” March is “likely the final month a deal could be reached without shortening or significantly pushing back that year’s competition schedule.” Talks “are expected to take place throughout the summer,” but movement “might not be significant until the winter” (THE ATHLETIC, 5/12).
Report: MLB representatives begin CBA talks
