MLB players and owners took their places at the bargaining table for a seventh straight day on Sunday, one day shy of Major League Baseball’s deadline to salvage the 162-game season and the first day of March 31 activities.
Negotiators moved the case forward on Friday and Saturday. However on the 88th day of the work stoppage, the two parties are not at all on the same wavelength concerning several main points of the dispute: the rate of the luxury tax, the minimum wage and the bonuses paid to the players. not eligible for salary arbitration.
A smaller group of players which includes Max Scherzer, Andrew Miller and Marcus Semien entered Roger Dean Stadium before 1 p.m. along with union chief Tony Clark, chief negotiator Bruce Meyer and staff.
A few minutes later, Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem walked from the main offices in the stadium to the players’ fortress, established in the Cardinals’ bullpen.
On the side of the owners, it is argued that without a contract of employment before the end of the day Monday, regular season games will be gradually cut from the schedule. According to the league, the lack of time necessary to hold a decent training camp would force the cancellation of games on the schedule. The players haven’t indicated if they’re okay with that scenario, but may prefer to cut back on the pre-season camp to maintain the full season.
Moreover, once Monday’s deadline is passed, the length of the regular season could become a new point of contention since it will have consequences on player salaries and time on duty.
The Players’ Association has previously told MLB that if games are canceled and players suffer lost wages, teams should not expect the union to accept proposals for the new playoff format. playoffs as well as advertising on uniforms and helmets.