Report: 'Spring training starting on time is in peril' amid MLB lockout
Almost immediately after it was learned Tuesday that MLB and MLB Players Association representatives were set to meet Thursday for the first bargaining session between the parties since the start of the lockout in early December, pessimistic fans and other outsiders who have followed the situation sarcastically rolled their eyes understanding that little, if anything, would change regarding the frustrating work stoppage ahead of the third weekend of January.
Such individuals were correct.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports there's no deal between MLB and the MLBPA and that spring training starting on time with players reporting on Feb. 16 is now in doubt.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman added there's a "long way to go" before fans can see a light at the end of the figurative tunnel and know that zero games will be lost to the lockout.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, it's unclear when MLB and the MLBPA will return to the negotiating table.
Those looking for any reason to be optimistic on Thursday should remember that The Athletic's Evan Drellich wrote last week that, in many cases, "nothing happens until the very last minute" as it pertains to these situations because neither the owners nor players are in danger of losing money for reasons directly linked to the lockout on Jan. 13.
"The point of (a lockout) generally is to impose economic pressure. And it’s not going to happen in the beginning, because people aren’t feeling it," a source familiar with past NBA labor negotiations told The Athletic. "They’re not getting paid. The season hasn’t started. So if the point of it is to impose the economic pressure, then yeah, in theory, it’s not going to really be effective until you get to the end."
Milwaukee Brewers All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich tweeted on behalf of baseball fans everywhere earlier in the week.
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