(Jupiter) The inaugural games will not be played on March 31, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Updated yesterday at 6:10 p.m.
For the first time since 1995, a labor dispute led to the cancellation of regular season games.
The first two series of meetings pass to the ax; each club would therefore play a maximum of 156 matches this year.
Manfred said that there was no immediate date set for a resumption of negotiations. Players remain locked out.
All of this stems from the breakdown of the talks, in the hours before the deadline set by the leaders of the big leagues.
After very lengthy discussions on Monday, MLB presented its “best” and “final” offer around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, the ninth day in a row of negotiations. The Players Association said no.
This is the ninth labor dispute in major league history.
Regular season games have been lost on four occasions.
In the latest news, here is what the Associated Press reported on the positions of the parties: the leaders propose to raise the threshold of the luxury tax from 210 to 220 million during the next three seasons, to 224 million in 2025 and to 230 million in 2026 – as in the previous offer.
Players want 238 million this year, 244 million in 2023, 250 million in 2024, 256 million in 2025 and 263 million in 2026.
For the prize pool for players not yet eligible for arbitration, the major leagues offer 30 million and the players, 85 million.
In terms of minimum wage, MLB is offering $700,000 this year, players are asking for $725,000. The leaders are willing to raise the sum by $100,000 each season.
Major League Baseball wants the first five draft picks to be determined by a lottery. There would have been a middle ground for a 12-club series, however.
Monday gave rise to 13 negotiation sessions and 16.5 hours of discussions.
Negotiators from both sides met Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium, home to the Marlins and Cards.
New York Mets star pitcher Max Scherzer and free agent reliever Andrew Miller were on hand for the talks.
Manfred said Monday was the last day to reach an agreement that would allow time for training camps to allow the season to start as planned on March 31.
The union replied that it did not necessarily agree with the delay.
Players train at non-major league facilities in Florida, Arizona and elsewhere.
The Grapefruit League and Cactus League matches were scheduled to begin on Saturday.