The MLB lockout has gone on since December. Can commissioner Rob Manfred and the players union work out their differences soon? Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

MLB lockout continues with no deal; meeting planned for Tuesday?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/24/22

The MLB lockout that began in early December will last through the start of the final full week of January.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Monday's talks between the league and the MLB Players Association did not result in a deal but that the parties will meet again on Tuesday:

The meeting between the Major League Baseball Players Association and MLB is over. There is not a deal, nor did anyone expect one. Union made a broad proposal that included removing pieces of its past offers.

The good news: They’re meeting again tomorrow. Passes for progress.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 24, 2022

At the risk of being Debbie Downer: Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. The meeting was contentious. There is a lot — a lot — left to work out before there’s a new labor deal. This still could take a while.

But the fact that it didn’t go backward when it could’ve? W.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 24, 2022

As Passan alluded to, the update isn't surprising, as it was widely reported on Jan. 13 the sides were so far apart that the idea of spring training potentially starting on time next month was "in peril." USA Today's Bob Nightengale adds Monday's discussion between the league and the union lasted for roughly two hours:

Progress: The last time MLB and the players association met face-to-face in Texas the meeting lasted 7 minutes.
Today’s session was about two hours and included significant proposals
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 24, 2022

The players union has agreed to drop its proposal for earlier free agency and lowered their proposal for reduced revenue sharing from $100 million to about $30 million. Talks continue tomorrow https://t.co/PpE6n8qUIX
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 24, 2022

MLB Network's Jon Heyman explained earlier this month that owners were "dead set against lowering free agency" from six years to five. Amid other items discussed, it's believed the league will embrace a universal designated hitter, something that has been rumored for years and that ideally will extend playing careers for individuals who would otherwise lose jobs because of their inability to play in the field at the highest level.

While Passan seemed somewhat optimistic following the afternoon's events, fans are no closer to seeing players report for spring training on Feb. 16, as scheduled, than they were on Sunday night. Perhaps Tuesday will be a better day for big-league baseball, although there's currently no indication, outside of hope, that will be the case.

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