MLB lockout to continue as 'sides remain far apart' on deal

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Report: MLB lockout to continue as 'sides remain far apart' on potential deal

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/25/22

The final full midweek of January began promising enough for baseball fans nervous that the ongoing MLB lockout that began in early December could ultimately impact regular-season games, as reports surfaced Monday the league and MLB Players Association chatted for roughly two hours and were set to meet again on Tuesday.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, labor talks ended by 3:00 p.m. ET without a deal.

There is no deal today. There never was going to be a deal today.

The takeaway: A pre-arb bonus pool gets the best young players paid more. Players wanted it, and it's a good thing for them. Players are laughing at the $10M offer. It's far too low. Negotiations will change that.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 25, 2022

According to Passan and Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the sides "remain far apart" on ultimately putting pen to paper on an agreement that would guarantee that players report for spring training on Feb. 16, as scheduled. However, MLB Network's Jon Heyman adds the league and union made "real progress" over the past two days of negotiations.

MLB and union are making real progress the last 2 days. The CBT (luxury tax), both the threshold and penalties, may be the biggest hurdle among a few left to clear. https://t.co/zcuibISX1v
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2022

So the gap is now $775K to $615K. Minimum salary affects about half the players each year but doesn’t represent the potential total $ difference of free agency and luxury tax (CBT) issues https://t.co/amYXzPxgtX
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2022

Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the two sides could meet again later this week after the union dropped its proposal for shortening time before veteran players can reach free agency on Monday. That same day, Nightengale reiterated the deadline for coming to terms on a deal without forcing a shortened or altered 2022 season is "about March 1." The start of spring training could be delayed if no agreement is reached by Feb. 1.

The clock is ticking and isn't slowing down.

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