Latest CBA positions for MLB, MLBPA

With proposals going back and forth, it can be difficult to keep track of where each side stands in collective bargaining between MLB and the Players Association.  We’ll keep this post updated so you can use it as a reference.

Last Proposal From MLB: 3-1-22

Last Proposal From MLBPA: 3-1-22

Next Up: Rob Manfred expected to make public comments shortly

Here’s where each side stands on the key issues, as far as we know.

Minimum Salary

• MLB: $700K in 2022 increasing to $740K by 2026
• MLBPA: $725K in 2022, $745K in 2023, $765K in 2024, $765K plus consumer price index increase in 2025, same increase in 2026
• Current gap: $25K in 2022

Competitive Balance Tax

• MLB: Base tax thresholds at $220M in 2022/ $220M in 2023/ $220M in 2024 / $224M in 2025 / $230M in 2026.
• MLBPA: $238M in 2022 / $244M in 2023 / $250M in 2024 / $256M in 2025 / $263M in 2026.
• Current gap: $18M in 2022, growing to $33M in 2026

Draft Pick Compensation

• MLB: Has proposed eliminating draft pick forfeiture for teams that sign free agents.  Their plan still calls for teams to get draft picks for losing free agents, depending on the quality of the player.

Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool

• MLB: $30M pool with no increases throughout the CBA
• MLBPA: $85M pool with $5M annual increases throughout the CBA
• Current gap: $55M in 2022, growing to $75M by 2026

Arbitration Eligibility

Super Two is expected to remain at the top 22% of 2+ players.

Service Time Manipulation

• MLB: Offering two draft picks within the player’s first three years if he finishes in the top three in Cy Young, Rookie of the Year or MVP voting (per Jesse Rogers).  A player finishing first or second in Rookie of the Year voting would receive a full year of service time.
• MLBPA: Players receive a full year of service time in their rookie season if infielders, catchers, and designated hitters finish among the top five for their position in WAR in each league, with outfielders, relief pitchers and starting pitchers finishing among the top 15, per Evan Drellich of The Athletic.  “The union also said it would accept a modification of MLB’s proposal that would reward draft pick compensation to teams whose players finish among the top three in the Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Young voting.” (per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale on 2-1-22)

Anti-Tanking Measures

• MLB: Lottery for top five picks. “Equal odds for bottom three record (16.5%). Revenue-sharing payees ineligible to be in lottery 3 straight years; non-payees ineligible in consecutive years. Ineligible teams can’t pick higher than 8th overall,” according to Mark Feinsand.
• MLBPA: Lottery for top seven picks.  All teams that did not qualify for the postseason in the preceding season would be part of this lottery.  So in a 12-team playoff field, 18 teams would have a chance at the #1 pick.  In the MLBPA’s proposal, the odds for the #1 overall pick would be as follows:
  • Team 1: 15% (the team with the worst record in baseball)
  • Team 2: 15% (the team with the second-worst record in baseball)
  • Team 3: 15%
  • Team 4: 12.5%
  • Team 5: 10%
  • Team 6: 8%
  • Team 7: 6.5%
  • Team 8: 5%
  • Team 9: 3.25%
  • Team 10: 2.25%
  • Team 11: 1.5%
  • Team 12: 1.25%
  • Team 13: 1.12%
  • Team 14: 1%
  • Team 15: 0.88%
  • Team 16: 0.75%
  • Team 17: 0.625%
  • Team 18: 0.375%

These odds would be adjusted as each of the first seven picks are given out via this lottery system.  After those seven lottery picks are assigned, the remaining non-playoff teams would be assigned picks in the reverse order of winning percentage.

The MLBPA is also proposing competitiveness adjustments.  Revenue sharing payors that finish in the bottom eight in winning percentage in each of the two previous seasons or in the bottom 12 in each of the three previous seasons would pick no earlier than 10th.  Additionally, any team that does not receive revenue sharing that finishes in the bottom 12 in each of the four or more previous seasons would have their pick moved to #18.

Also, beginning with the 2024 draft, any revenue sharing recipient finishing in the bottom eight in each of the three previous seasons would pick no earlier than 10th.  Any such club in the bottom eight in each of the four or more previous seasons would have their pick moved to #18.

Revenue Sharing

• MLB: Seeking to move Oakland Athletics back to revenue sharing payee
• MLBPA: Has plan to incentivize small market teams to spend, with money coming from central revenue

Expanded Playoffs

The two sides seem to currently be proposing 12-team playoffs.

On-Uniform Advertising

• MLB: Seeking uniform patches and helmet decals
• MLBPA: Has not yet agreed to this

International Draft

• MLB: Included in their proposal
• MLBPA: Opposes international draft

Minor League Options

The two sides have agreed to limit the number of times a player can be optioned to the minors in one season to five.

Rule Changes

• MLB: Seeking ability to implement on-field rule changes, such as a pitch clock, 45 days after formally proposing them to players
• MLBPA:  Appear to want to keep one-year status quo

Universal Designated Hitter

This seems to be generally agreed upon by both sides.