Report: MLB lockout to continue as 'sides remain far apart' on potential deal
The final full midweek of January began promising enough for baseball fans nervous that the ongoing MLB lockout that began in early December could ultimately impact regular-season games, as reports surfaced Monday the league and MLB Players Association chatted for roughly two hours and were set to meet again on Tuesday.
Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, labor talks ended by 3:00 p.m. ET without a deal.
According to Passan and Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the sides "remain far apart" on ultimately putting pen to paper on an agreement that would guarantee that players report for spring training on Feb. 16, as scheduled. However, MLB Network's Jon Heyman adds the league and union made "real progress" over the past two days of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the two sides could meet again later this week after the union dropped its proposal for shortening time before veteran players can reach free agency on Monday. That same day, Nightengale reiterated the deadline for coming to terms on a deal without forcing a shortened or altered 2022 season is "about March 1." The start of spring training could be delayed if no agreement is reached by Feb. 1.
The clock is ticking and isn't slowing down.
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