A new Major League Baseball proposal appears to have made significant progress in negotiations with players for a new collective bargaining agreement.
The two clans met on Tuesday and the circuit put on the table a second proposal in as many days. If the one submitted the day before was vigorously rejected, the second, which is strongly inspired by that of the Players Association, received a more favorable reception, according to the official major league website.
The teams are thus proposing a centrally funded common fund to give bonuses to young players who do not yet have access to the arbitration process and which would be distributed according to individual performance and honors. Some players could thus receive up to four times their salary.
Such a work contract would also increase the minimum wage and the luxury tax cap.
The union had allowed the relaunch of negotiations on Monday, by lowering certain demands. In particular, he wanted to reduce the number of years of experience before enjoying full autonomy, currently set at six.
Players have also significantly decreased their demands to decrease revenue sharing. They also want to review the criteria for having the right to arbitration, but it seems that this is the sticking point. Indeed, the most recent offer of the circuit does not foresee any change on this side.
Commissioner Rob Manfred and his circuit teams declared a lockout on December 2. Major League Baseball is thus experiencing the ninth work stoppage in its history. It is, however, the first since the seven-and-a-half-month strike that affected the 1994 and 1995 campaigns.
Spring camps are scheduled to start on February 16 in preparation for the next season.
