MLB and MLBPA Have Reached a New CBA Deal
We all got the news we wanted to hear today. On the 99th day of the MLB lockout, the MLB and MLBPA have reached a deal. After reports of games being cancelled, we no longer will have to worry about that as the league announced it will play the whole 162-game season with 9 inning double headers. This has been the second longest work stoppage in league history. With the CBA now being resolved, Spring Training will open Sunday with free agency opening back up tonight at 6PM EST.
New CBA Agreement
With the collective-bargaining agreement being put to rest, there’s new details to go over. The agreement covers all aspects of the sport with core economics being the most important. The minimum salary for players with less than three years of major league service will jump from $570,500 to $700,000 leading into $780,000. A bonus pool of $50 million will be given out to players who haven’t reached arbitration.
A new 12-team playoff bracket will be introduced as well as seeing advertisement on jerseys along with decals on batting helmets. This determination was pushed by MLB, most likely to generate more revenue.
One of the biggest issues as of late was the international draft. MLB and MLBPA settled that this morning by coming to an agreement. The agreement states they have until July 25 to reach a deal on an international draft that would begin in 2024. If a deal is reached, the qualifying offer will be gone, if no deal, then the qualifying offer will remain, and the international draft will remain the same.
The rule 4 draft has also been up in arms in negotiations. Within the new CBA, the top 300 players will be eligible to participate in a pre-draft combine. The top 300 players who submit to a pre-draft physical must be offered at least 75% pf the slot value associated with that selection. Which reminds many of Kumar Rocker.
We will also be seeing a universal DH which is something we haven’t seen since the 2020 Covid shortened season. A draft lottery, which will be ran on a 6-pick lottery, will be implemented in hopes to discourage tanking of smaller market teams and draft-pick inducements will be involved hoping teams will shy away from service time manipulation. Along with these elements, MLB will have 45 days to implement their most recent rule changes, being banning of the shift, larger bases, and a pitch clock in the 2023 season. MLB will also use some of the luxury-tax proceeds to reward teams that grow local revenues.
It’s Been a Long Time Coming
This morning we entered the dreadful 99th day of the lockout, hoping this would finally be the day. It was. After all the long nights, rumors, and headaches we can finally witness another season of America’s pastime. The league and union made very little progress just until recently. The confidence was low within everyone involved. Fans, players, and owners all witnessed their fair share of frustration. As we are coming to a finish of this great day for baseball, things are only getting started. Free agency opens back up shortly and it’s going to be a frenzy of signings and trades. Buckle up.