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MLB, MLBPA seem optimistic after productive meetings Tuesday

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/9/22

The MLB and MLBPA will meet again on Wednesday after extensive talks on Tuesday helped push the league off from canceling another handful of games, multiple sources reported.

Lockout Day No. 98: The Players Association is scheduled to meet soon this morning with its executive board before providing a written response to MLB's proposal. MLB wants an agreement by this afternoon or would likely cancel another week of regular-season games.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 9, 2022

ESPN's Jeff Passan explains that players could report to spring training sites within the week and free agency could reopen if an agreement can be reached on the new collective bargaining agreement. If negotiations aren't fruitful, league owners could make good on their most recent threat to cancel a second series of games from the regular-season schedule.

The two sides deliberated for nearly 17 hours on Tuesday in what was described as the most productive session between the owners and players since the lockout began. The players' union then requested to reconvene on Wednesday before giving a definitive answer on the league's latest proposal. Matters such as having a competitive-balance tax and holding an international draft are still sticking points at the heart of the ongoing negotiations in addition to core economic issues that the two sides have largely disagreed on since before the lockout started on Dec. 2.

NEW YORK — The most significant issue remaining in talks, although not the only, is said to be direct draft pick compensation, the elimination of the qualifying offer. The players want it, MLB has proposed it — but MLB wants the international draft, which is no small matter/give.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 9, 2022