Report: MLB, MLBPA make 'a little progress' as Monday deadline approaches
As explained by The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), MLB commissioner Rob Manfred met with MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark as part of Friday's negotiations to end the lockout that threatens March 31 Opening Day games ahead of the Monday deadline set by the league.
Thursday's talks reportedly "brought no substantive progress" toward ending the work stoppage that began shortly after midnight ET on Dec. 2, but The Athletic's Evan Drellich offered fans a glimmer of hope ahead of the weekend:
This doesn't mean those with Opening Day tickets should plan to be in ballparks on the final day of March, as ESPN's Jesse Rogers reminded everyone that "there’s still a ton of work to do" with spring training games already canceled through at least March 5 and likely beyond that date even if a deal is struck before or on Monday.
The AP reiterated previous claims and said the MLBPA hasn't officially accepted the league-imposed Monday deadline and instead wants any regular-season games potentially scrapped due to the lockout to be initially rescheduled as part of doubleheaders. Owners aren't keen on that idea, which could lead to additional disagreements if Monday comes and goes without the parties putting pen to paper on a deal.
As USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweeted, proposals regarding a majority of the big-money issues weren't discussed on Friday:
While any good news should be considered a positive at this stage of the lengthy stalemate, nothing about Friday's update leads one to believe the sides are rounding third base and heading for home as 11:59 p.m. ET Monday night approaches.
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